Sidmouth FolkWeek launches new sponsor programme

SIDMOUTH FolkWeek bosses have launched a new sponsorship programme to recognise and increase support from local businesses.

This programme provides four bands of sponsorship, from bronze to the top end platinum, giving increasing levels of benefits, including promotion for their businesses and brands and participation in FolkWeek.

The platinum band provides sponsorship of a stream of festival programming and free tickets for events for sponsors and their clients.

All sponsors will receive accreditation in the festival programme, posters and on the website, which receives a quarter of a million hits a year.

John Braithwaite, festival director, said: "It is now clearly recognised in the town that the festival brings both cultural and financial benefit to the area.

"To sustain and develop the event, and to protect the business it brings to the town, an increasing number of businesses and organisations are reinvesting a part of the benefit they receive back into the festival.

"The new programme has been already been enthusiastically received, with businesses recognising the efforts that the festival is making to help develop their trade. We welcome this support and invite all businesses to similarly support FolkWeek."

The new range of sponsorship packages vary according to the commitment of the sponsor.

Local businesses are also invited to advertise in the full FolkWeek programme, which is issued free to all season ticket holders and bought by many visitors to the town. The copy date is Thursday, June 10.

To find out more about sponsorship and advertising, local businesses and organisations can call John Dyson on (01395) 512416, Barry Lister on 0781 2486362, Steve Thompson on (01395) 577394 or email adverts@sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk.

FolkWeek event tickets went on sale this week, and already Sidmouth Tourist Information Centre is reporting that business has been brisk, with enquiries from all over the country.