No room at the FolkWeek inn
MORE accommodation is urgently needed in Sidmouth for FolkWeek followers and its artists. With many hotel and guest house rooms already booked, a plea has gone out for more people to offer spare rooms on a bed and breakfast basis for the week.
MORE accommodation is urgently needed in Sidmouth for FolkWeek followers and its artists.
With many hotel and guest house rooms already booked, a plea has gone out for more people to offer spare rooms on a bed and breakfast basis for the week.
FolkWeek marketing manager John Dowell said: "People are ringing saying they are looking for accommodation.
"If there is anyone with bed and breakfast or people who want to do it for a week, please contact Sidmouth Information Centre (SIC)."
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He continued: "Accommodation has always been a problem, some artists are staying in Exeter because they can't get places nearer.
"Artists may want to stay just one night and people don't want to do bed and breakfast for one night."
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Ian Cole, manager of SIC, has a list of 14 people offering a spare room for between £25 and £50 a night, writes Di Bowerman.
One is Meryl Rose, of Woolcombe Lane, who said she could have booked her double room several times over.
She said: "This is the third year I have let out my spare room and I have enjoyed doing it. This year everyone wants the weekend."
She has even had to turn away people who stayed with her in previous years.
Marilyn Dufall, from Otterton, ventured into offering a spare room for the first time last year.
She has found most people want to book the middle of festival week, but both women agree the extra money gained through letting their rooms during the week was handy.
Mr Cole said: "There are still some rooms available in hotels and guest houses, generally only for the odd days.
"We add to the accommodation list each year but quite a few of these drop off because people book from one year to the next."
It costs £17 to register and each person sets their own charges. Self-catering accommodation for the week is also available.
"There is always a demand up to and including FolkWeek," said Mr Cole. "During the week we find people come to Sidmouth, not knowing it is FolkWeek, asking for places to stay and we try to find them somewhere."
Councillor Simon Pollentine, chairman of the town council's tourism committee, said: "It is the usual story. There is never enough room in the town.
"We put out the plea that if you would like to earn a few pounds then please contact the SIC and let's hope it brings a few people from out of the woodwork.
