Food and drink

Organisers have postponed plans for what was billed as the world’s biggest wine and food festival
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Pop goes the wine festival

By Sally Bryant
February 15, 2012

Organisers have put the cork back in plans for what was billed as the world’s biggest wine and food festival, blaming the economic climate and the Olympics.

But although the fizz has gone out of the King’s Meadow event for this June, they say it will go ahead next year in a more relaxed style.

Before glasses are charged again there will be a series of pop-up events to find out exactly what will please the wine trade’s palate for 2013.

Publicity for the Big Wine Festival has been promising a unique family day out with wines, beers, cocktails and food from all corners of the world.

It was hoped it would attract 120,000 people over four days, from Thursday, June 7, with marquees covering 30,000sq ft.

An “indulgent VIP Village” was planned for the Thames-side field with restaurants, bars, lounge bars and entertainment and celebrity chefs.

Other highlights included big-name musicians and a comedy club.

The festival is the brainchild of events specialist Olivia Ocana, who is also responsible for design and delivery. The promotion wagon has started to roll, with a trade event at the Royal Berkshire Conference Centre, Madejski Stadium, and a public consultation evening in September.

Now the party is off – for the time being. Yesterday a spokesman for the organisers confirmed the festival was being pushed back because of the current economy and the Olympics.

On Friday, Mrs Ocana was quoted in a wine trade publication saying “significant changes” were being made to the style of the festival, with more relaxed tents and structures. The number of retailers’ spaces was also being reduced.

Before the postponement was announced, the planned £50 adult ticket price had already been cut to £37. When the festival was unveiled, the price of a VIP ticket was £250 plus VAT.

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@Genial Harry Grout

harry, harry, harry ... you missed a trick there. The mystery guest shouldn't open the event by cutting a ribbon, it should be made of slightly out of date noodles. And as soon as the ceremony has taken place, we should take the packets straight to trading standards.

Arthur Mo
15/02/2012 at 14:41

And while we're here - can we test the water for a Reading Slightly Out Of Date Noodles and Tesco Value Wine Box festival? Fiver to get in, bring your own wine box, poncy stuff will be confiscated and sold back to you at a considerable mark-up.

Need to know numbers as we'll want to book King's Meadow if the expected 600,000 show, or just the Winos' Bench in Friar Street if it's just the four of us.

Mystery local celeb to to cut the opening ribbon (providing she's not getting another Twilight tattoo done)

Genial Harry Grout, Twyford
15/02/2012 at 13:25

There's also the clash with Lauren and Andy's wedding. We're all invited to that, right?

Genial Harry Grout, Twyford
15/02/2012 at 13:17

@voiceoftreason? Thanks. Sounds interesting, but I'm sure the winners would be happier receiving some noodles, even if they are just out of their best before date.

Arthur Mo
15/02/2012 at 12:26

@Arthur - I think it's some kind of Sports Day involving lots of running around in your vest and pants, getting puffed out. Apparently, the winner gets some kind of medal and gets to look very pleased with themselves whilst the band plays a tune that not many people know the words to. Allegedly.

voiceoftreason?
15/02/2012 at 12:01

@voiceoftreason? What is this Olympics of which you speak? Anyone would think we'd had seven years notice of it or something.

Arthur Mo
15/02/2012 at 11:56

Oh yeah, the Olympics. Of course, no one knew they were happening and they just 'popped up' near the time of this event, didn't they. Wassup, just discovered there are not enough 'yuppies' to pay your extortionate entry fee?

voiceoftreason?
15/02/2012 at 11:26

Another failure to please the whiners here on getreading

NotJohn, Reading
15/02/2012 at 10:56

PR Spin: it's nothing to do with the economic climate or the Olympics.

As predicted by many Getreading commenters at the outset, this had totally pie in the sky expectations of visitor numbers at any price. I doubt they'd get 120K even if it was free on the door, regardless of anything else going on next summer. Those visitor numbers are plucked from thin air, made up market research. If they did pay for professional research I'd be looking for a refund on the fee.

I don't want to rain on Ms Ocana's parade here, this is something I would welcome in Reading and would attend at the right price. So a smaller scale I hope to see it, with a hearty dose of realism on numbers.

Hannibal Smith, surviving as a soldier of fortune in the RG4 underground
15/02/2012 at 10:55

Adrian, it also has the even more longstanding Real Ale and Jazz Festival.

Which is slightly more pricey but can be enjoyable as well.

whitespirit
15/02/2012 at 10:38

I expect that RBC's campaign for city status has something to do with this. However, Reading already has an excellent beer festival from 2 May at King's Meadow - selling British wines, perries, ciders; and of course real ales from near, far, and foreign countries. And all at a fraction of the price of this overpriced rip-off !

Adrian Evans
15/02/2012 at 10:08

@Spanky

Here's hoping. Might save a few pence on Rob White's council tax increase proposal. Every little helps.

Spiddly, Reading
15/02/2012 at 09:53

120,000 people? They wouldn't have filled a village hall at those prices

Genial Harry Grout, Twyford
15/02/2012 at 09:34

LOL. Unsurprising news - all as predicted by commenters.

I'd like to know how much money RBC wasted indulging this fantasy.

Millicent Reeves, Twyford
15/02/2012 at 09:32

Not sure how the Olympics are to blame. Surely it is off because it is a really bad idea and they are were never going to get 120,000 people to spend £37 to come. Make it a maximum of £20 and you may get some interest, but the prices quoted were just to high to get the numbers they needed to make it a viable event.