Latest news with #CuffeTaylor
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bedford Summer Sessions 'benefits the local economy' says promoter
The organiser of a seven-day concert series says putting it on in a town centre park "benefits the local economy".Peter Taylor, co-founder of Cuffe & Taylor which organises the Bedford Summer Sessions featuring acts including Rag-n-Bone Man, Simple Minds and McFly, said the Bedford Park venue was ideal because it had all the transport infrastructure around it to get audiences "in and out".He said he was "committed" to the town and wanted the concert series "to continue and we want to be able to grow it". Wells & Co, the Bedford-based brewery, said the event, which runs 3-13 July, was "vital" to the hospitality business. Mr Taylor said the gigs were part of its "national series of concerts" with Summer Sessions also taking place in Derby, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Plymouth and Southampton. Some of the other gigs in Bedford included The Human League with the Thompson Twins' Tom Bailey and Blancmange; Supergrass with The Coral and Willie J Healey; and Café Mambo featuring Melanie C. "Being in a town centre has more positives than negatives because if you're in the middle of nowhere, everyone's got to get there," said Mr Taylor."We've got trains to London, buses, local car parks."As the event is put on close to houses "we meet with the residents, we do a lot of engagement with them, we talk to them", he added. "We have noise limits in our licence so that protects them to make sure that we're not too noisy for too long."Its current licence is for seven events over 11 days, with a limit of 15,000 people at each gig. "What I think works in Bedford is a nice number between 7,000 and 10,000 a day," said Taylor."It's about consistency - bigger isn't always better." Mr Taylor said: "Our preference is to have local food vendors. "We recruit locally for all our bar and VIP staff, our security staff, but also it's the hotels and accommodation businesses."UK Music estimates that for every person that attends a concert, they spend £100 in the local economy. It really benefits the local economy."A spokesman for Wells & Co, which has 16 pubs in the county town, including two that have accommodation, said: "As a hospitality business, these kinds of events are vital as they help bring energy and footfall into the town, encourage people to stay longer, and most importantly, they create moments of connection between local businesses and the community." Shirley Scotcher, interim chief executive of the Bedford and Northants MS Therapy Centre, which is the Summer Sessions' charity partner, said the concert series raised "much-needed funds" but also shone "a spotlight on the conditions we support: MS and Parkinson's". "These concerts give our members the opportunity to play an active role in supporting the centre they love and depend on," she said. This year the Proms in the Park concert is returning on Sunday, 6 July, with Russell Watson and Lesley Garrett, because it was "something the audience in Bedford wanted", Mr Taylor said. "We're already booking acts for next year," he added. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Lincoln Castle concert accessibility changes praised
A wheelchair user who complained about poor accessibility at concerts in Lincoln after a "dangerous" experience has praised organisers for making improvements. Richard Adams criticised poor stage views, a lack of accessible toilets and obstructions in the accessibility lane when he went to see Kaiser Chiefs at Lincoln Castle last Adams, who runs Facebook page Disabled in Lincoln, said the Live at Lincoln Castle organisers Cuffe & Taylor had been "really proactive" and had improved the venue for disabled people this year.A spokesperson for Cuffe & Taylor said: "We will continue to work with all agencies and partners to ensure the customer journey is always the best possible." Mr Adams said the Kaiser Chiefs concert was "both dangerous and unpleasant" and he felt "trapped" inside the venue. Since then, he said he had been working with Cuffe & Taylor to improve the company said it had moved the accessible area closer to the site entrance "giving improved access to the accessible toilet".An accessible platform had been raised to achieve "a prime view of the stage".Other changes include a new pick up and drop off location nearer the entrance and the introduction of a dedicated accessible manager and team. 'Really proactive' Mr Adams was invited to visit the venue in June before this year's series of concerts began."They've been really proactive and listened to the concerns," Mr Adams said. "They're really interested in improving things for everybody."Cuffe & Taylor said: "We thank Disabled in Lincoln for their positive comments."Our events are continually evolving. We pride ourselves on always listening to customers' feedback and, where possible, making changes to enhance the experience for everyone at our concerts."Mr Adams said he was looking forward to seeing Human League and UB40 featuring Ali Campbell at Lincoln Castle later this month. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
