TWO festivals have been planned for Salisbury this summer, which organisers have assured will be going ahead even if the lockdown is not fully lifted.

This comes after the rapid spread of the Indian variant of Covid-19 and talks of delaying the next and final stage of the lockdown roadmap.

The pandemic was hoped to be a thing of the past by June 21, but as businesses and venues continue organising summer events, they are aware these plans have always been victim to lockdown guidelines changing.

But festival organiser Nathan Muirhead has told the Journal that "nothing will get in the way" of the Salisbury Comedy Festival, to be held on August 7, and the nineties-inspired Origin Festival on August 6.

“If we have to operate under step three and we’re capped at 4,000 it means we would have to sell less tickets, but we put that into our planning considerations,” he said.

“Fortunate” to have Hudson’s Field as the home of these events, Nathan added: “All the necessary measures will be in place, we’ll always follow what we know we need to do, nothing will get in the way.”

Read more: Summer events 'in the hands of the roadmap' following Indian variant concerns

The Salisbury Comedy Festival line-up features Frankie Boyle, Dara Ó Briain, Seann Walsh, local comedian Andrew White and more. 

The event is also raising money for The Stars Appeal. 

While plans for these festivities are well underway, some businesses have already adapted to our current living climate, learning how to host Covid-secure entertainment under the current restrictions.

The Stables, a live entertainment venue nestled inside The New Inn in Amesbury, owned by Nathan, has Covid-secure events pencilled in all across the summer, including a Freddie Mercury tribute this weekend.

Nathan added he is “not concerned” about the Indian variant of Covid-19, as long as the vaccination programme continues, coupled with the public acting responsibly.

Talking about the impact of Covid-19 on the arts and night time economy, Nathan said: “Covid-19 has changed perceptions – the night time experience will not be what it was like before.

“People just don’t want to go out and get drunk until 3am any more, they want things to do. Our society is moving through it and working together.”

  • More information about the Salisbury Comedy Festival and Origin Festival will be revealed next week.

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