Mop Fair organisers cancel this year's event
The licensee of the Tewkesbury's Mop Fair, together with Tewkesbury Borough Council, has made the difficult decision to suspend the fair this year.
James Danter, Mop Fair licensee, has been working closely with council officers, exploring different ways the event could potentially be run in order to comply with government guidelines for social distancing during the current pandemic. However, due to the high volume of people gathering in a condensed area with multiple access points, none of the options to enable social distancing and 'track and trace' could make the Mop Fair practically viable.
James said: "Cancelling this year's event was a heart-breaking decision, but it's the right thing to do. We've worked hard over the years to make the Mop Fair a big family event, where people from all over Gloucestershire can gather for fun and entertainment. Sadly, with the crowds we're expecting, it would be impossible to achieve the safety measures needed to be covid-secure. We look forward to next year when, all being well, the Mop Fair will be back!"
Councillor Robert Vines, lead member for asset management, said: "The Mop Fair is such a popular event - it sees people return year after year to experience all it has to offer, so I know many people will be disappointed to hear that it won't take place this year. However, keeping the operators, visitors and local people as safe as possible, avoiding a second wave of the virus and more lockdown measures, must take priority. I look forward to the return of the Mop Fair next year when, hopefully, it can be the kind of event that everyone knows and loves."
Explore Gloucestershire
7 September 2020
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