Organisers have officially announced the cancellation of the 2021 Nantwich Jazz Festival.
The event, planned for April 1-5, was not likely to be held because of the current lockdown and ongoing pandemic.
But organisers had not announced what was happening with the event until today, with a statement issued on its Facebook page.
The event normally pulls in tens of thousands of revellers into Nantwich every Easter with dozens of live music performances across several indoor and outdoor venues.
But it’s the second consecutive year it has been forced to cancel by Covid.
Today’s statement from Nantwich Jazz said: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the cancellation of the 2021 Nantwich Jazz blues and Music Festival.
“Following the cancellation of last year’s festival we were initially hopeful that the pandemic would not see the festival cancelled for a second year.
“However, due to the uncertainty that remains around the re-opening of the licensed trade, live performances and the various new strains of the virus circulating means, it’s highly unlikely distancing rules will be relaxed by Easter so there is no alternative but to cancel the event.
“We have held off from making the announcement for as long as possible to see if there was any chance of us going ahead.
“Clearly, public safety and the wellbeing of the people attending and performing is the most important factor and with this continued uncertainty we feel that we must clarify for all the people involved and hoping to attend.
“This year would have been the 25th Festival and large plans were in the pipeline to mark the 25th year.
“Sadly this is not to be but we are determined all being well to return with the largest and most spectacular line up next year.
“Shows that were originally planned for the 2020 festival will go ahead in 2022 and all tickets purchased for 2020 will be valid in 2022.
“The show must go on.”
Thankgod after damage to property and drunks another year without this so called jazz fest is a blessed relief