Major changes are set to be made to Bristol Harbour Festival amid concerns that it is too “white and middle class”. A report to the city council’s cabinet on Tuesday (August 2) recommends that the award-winning extravaganza, which attracts 250,000 people every July, should be “reimagined”, potentially with fewer stages, and be more inclusive.
Feedback from consultation last autumn suggested that many older and disabled people, families and Black and Asian communities are put off by large crowds and a “drinking culture”. The report said: “The consultation highlighted the ‘whiteness’ of the festival and the invisible barriers to members of the global majority, as well as participants with mobility issues or neuro diverse needs.”
It said the feedback “highlighted the need for a more diverse programme, greater community engagement, cross-city collaboration and wider opportunities for young people”, as well as being greener, but remaining free of charge. The report referenced the toppling of Edward Colston's statue, Black Lives Matter protests and the dialogue around inclusivity, and said the festival “now needs to better reflect and serve Bristol’s communities and the evolution of the city in the context of global events”.
