Future plans to develop the Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl could leave questions around the town's iconic Elvis festival in the next few years, organisers have said, as they prepare for this weekend's annual celebrations. The massive festival, considered by many to be one of the biggest Elvis festivals in the world, brings thousands of tourists to Porthcawl every year, with people travelling from miles around to visit the beach, pubs and take in the unique festivities.
However, with funding applications now submitted for renovation work to its home in Porthcawl's Grand Pavilion, organisers fear it could have a negative impact if a replacement venue is not found during this period. While Bridgend Council has said they would "be seeking to work closely alongside all user groups, including the organisers of the Elvis Festival," founder Peter Phillips, 64, who started the event in 2004, says he is now eager to make alternative arrangements as soon as possible.
He said: "The Porthcawl Elvis festival started in the pavilion in 2004 when the managers asked me if I had any fresh ideas for shows there. I had this idea to do an awards show for Elvis tribute artists, and later spoke to people at the Hi Tide who wanted to make it in to a weekend event, so we set the festival up from there.
