Southport Weekender move to Minehead's Butlins

The 47th Southport Weekender will take place at a new home, leaving Southport and heading for the South West.

The festival is moving from Pontins Holiday Centre, in Southport, Lancashire to Butlins Holiday Resort in Minehead, Somerset, and will still be taking place over the same weekend from Friday 6th until Sunday 8th May 2011.

Festival organisers have released a statement saying,

"With exactly 4 months to go and after weeks of negotiations we are ecstatic to be bringing you the news that we are moving the event to an absolutely fantastic new location, Butlins Holiday Resort in Minehead, Somerset.

This will come as a big shock to everyone after all the years we've been at Southport and the many fond memories we all hold, but even before the administration issues at Pontins we had been innegotiation with Butlins to move the event there in the future. And for this reason alone Butlins have stepped in to move heaven and earth to accommodate us for our May event, even though it is in peak season for them.

As you all know through our past e-mails to you, our solicitors have been in regular contact with the administrators at Pontins. But despite making all the right noises they can not give us the cast iron guarantees that May's event will proceed as they are actively trying to sell Pontins. We cannot take the risk to you or us with the possibility of only 2 months to go and another £500k invested and no chance of finding a new venue, the event then not proceeding for one reason or another.

They say things happen for a reason and if this is true, when you see the Minehead resort, which sleeps just over 6000 people, we know you're going to love it! The resort really is amazing and the goodnews is with the extra capacity, everyone will be on resort including staff, DJ's and artists as one big happy family.

And for all you unlucky people who missed out we will be putting another 1500 places up for grabs from Friday 28th January 2011 - we will of course keep you updated on this over the coming weeks."

The first acts have been confirmed for 2011 include Derrick Carter, Kerri Chandler, David Rodigan, Karizma, Theo Parrish, The Unabombers, Jellybean Benitez, DJ Swerve, Andy Davies Benji B, Joy Orbison, Shortee Blitz, Snowboy, and more. For the line-up details as available please click here .

Weekender tickets including accommodation had SOLD OUT, however the extra capacity at Minehead means 1500 tickets will go on sale priced at £175 per person for self catering and £165 per person for room only on Friday 28th January 2011.

Those who have already booked tickets, and are unable to attend are asked to call 0844 8797210 during office hours or e-mail info@southportweekender.co.uk.

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