Wild Live: Yorkshire Wildlife Park's summer concerts to end after this year due to 'ever-rising costs'
Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s summer concerts are to end after this year’s run - with bosses blaming ‘ever-rising costs’ for the cancellation.
Tens of thousands of people have enjoyed concerts in the park’s grounds over the years, but bosses have pulled the plug due to industry struggles.
A release by Yorkshire Wildlife Park blamed “ever-rising costs and increasing regulatory pressures across the live events industry”.
It means this year’s gigs will be the last.
Scouting For Girls are headlining on August 29, with support from Paddy McGuinness, The Hoosiers, Toploader and Camens, and Ocean Colour Scene will headline the final night of the gigs on August 30, with support from The Feeling, The Farm and Stereo MC’s.
CEO John Minion, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors for one final Wild Live concert weekend. It’ll be a fantastic celebration with great music, amazing animals and a brilliant atmosphere.”
He added: “The Wild Live series has become a much-loved part of our summer programme and created some fantastic memories for visitors over the years.
“We’re incredibly proud of what the concerts have achieved, but the costs of staging events have continued to rise.
“Increased employment costs, higher national Insurance contributions and additional security requirements have all added significant pressure.
“This, combined with rising supplier costs and more cautious consumer spending, means we really don’t have a choice but to say this year’s Wild Live concerts will be the last.
“We’re disappointed this will be our final Wild Live concert, but we’re determined to make it the biggest send-off yet.”