This afternoon, Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge has announced that the summer tour of his popular Pub in the Park festival will no longer go ahead as planned.
Instead the festival has been postponed by several months, with the first edition now due to take place in August.
In a statement to the press, Kerridge said: “We would like to thank the chefs, restaurants, venues, local authorities, artists and many of our other contributors who have shown their unwavering support of Pub in the Park to enable us to rearrange our plans. In the meantime, we want you all to keep healthy and look after each other.”
The postponement of the festival comes following the latest government advice, which implores members of the public to avoid ‘social venues’ such as pubs, clubs and theatres. The updated advice also recommends people do not host or attend gatherings of more than 10 people in one place.
The festival has made pains to reassure ticket holders that the majority of attractions, including the musical line-up, headline acts and featured chefs and restaurants, will remain the same. Any further amendments to the schedule will be announced in due course.
The news comes after Kerridge, who operates Kerridge’s Bar & Grill in London plus a clutch of restaurants in Marlow, was one of a number of famous chefs to vent their frustration at the latest government advice. Kerridge tweeted “WTAF do we do now???? @BorisJohnson” after the Prime Minister encouraged staying away from restaurants, without actually enforcing their closure.
The revised schedule of the Pub in the Park 2020 tour can be found below, with tickets automatically being transferred to the new dates. Those who cannot attend on the new dates will receive a refund.
- Chichester, venue TBC, 14-16 August
- Tunbridge Wells, Dunorlan Park, 21-23 August
- Chiswick, Chiswick House & Gardens, 4-6 September
- St Albans, Verulamium Park, 11-13 September
- Bath, Royal Victoria Park, 18-20 September
- Warwick, St. Nicholas Park, 18-20 September
- Marlow, Higginson Park, 25-27 September
- Dulwich – dates & venue TBC
In other Covid-19 news, check out the Michelin chef who has launched a 'social distancing' menu.