New dawn for Southend Cricket Festival

Southend Cricket Festival Task Force (SCFTF) – 24th October 2011

Following the decision of Essex County Cricket Club (ECCC) to withdraw from the Southend Cricket Festival, the Southend Cricket Festival Task Force (SCFTF) and Southend Borough Council (SBC) called a joint public meeting to protest and discuss the withdrawing of the festival.

It was highlighted that the decision was made on the basis that members didn’t want the festival at Southend, following consultation of the members.

It was established that the consultation was not with the full membership – none of the members present had been contacted - it later emerged that only a few focus groups, namely the Boundary Club and Essex Cricket Society appear to have been consulted.

The public meeting outlined the following key facts about the Southend Cricket Festival

  • The festival has made an average of £15,000 profit per year over the past 7 years 
  • 2011 attendance was 8,604, in 2003 6,047 up by 40%
  • Children attending the Festival in 2011 equalled 656, the average in Chelmsford 114
  • Average festival 4-day attendance was 4,800, Chelmsford 3,000
  • Average festival CB40 non-members attendance, 2,886, Chelmsford, 1,127
  • Festival gate receipts risen from £15,000 to £45,000 in 2011

These facts indicate that there is no sound business case for the festival to be withdrawn. 

The task force are disappointed that ECCC committee reached a decision without full consultation with the members of the club, nor taking account of the above key facts, but respects it has the right to make these decisions.

The group is also pleased that festival cricket is being endorsed at Colchester, however is concerned that a similar undemocratic approach may be an issue for them in the future.

Following the public meeting the SCFTF and SBC met to discuss the best way forward to ensure that a top quality cricketing festival continues in Southend.   The SCFTF has therefore decided to focus its energy on putting on its own Southend Cricket Festival, which has the full backing of Southend Borough Council and key local businesses.

Details of the nature of the festival will be announced soon; however we are aiming to attract 1st Class or A List Cricket in addition to a series of events to continue the a positive festival development. 

Essex CCC have stated that the door isn't closed for future games in Southend and the SCFTF has requested under what conditions they might return. A reply is still awaited however, when available, the SCFTF will review and work towards Essex's conditions where possible in order to maximise the possibility of an Essex return to Southend