Devon carnival cancelled due to rising costs

Devastated locals in a part of Devon have been told that their annual carnival will not go ahead. Exeter’s procession returned in 2022 after a 24-year absence – but organisers say ‘rising operational costs’ means it cannot go ahead in 2023.

The return of the carnival to the city in 2022 was hailed as a “monumental event.” But despite plans being advanced for the 2023 procession in November, it will no longer take place, reports Devon Live.

A spokesperson for InExeter said the 2022 carnival would be “eternally cherished as a momentous occasion.” While there will be no carnival procession, a newly proposed winter event in its place, which is in planning at present, is set to happen on November 25.

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The carnival which took place last year for the first time in a quarter of a century was organised by The InExeter Board which is also known as the BID – the Business Improvement District. But in a statement, the chair of Directors Mat Jarratt said budget cuts meant they could not commit to the cost of the large-scale city event.

“In these challenging economic times, InExeter must deliver a return to business first and foremost,” a statement said. “While the carnival was a truly amazing event for the city and the wider region to enjoy, regrettably, InExeter cannot commit to it to the detriment of other essential services.”

Thousands of people of all ages had braved the wet weather to descend upon the streets of Exeter city centre in November 2022 to watch the huge procession which was revived after a 24-year absence. But the return is short-lived.