A SUCCESSOR to Ilkley’s Party in the Park weekend could be part of next year’s Ilkley Summer Festival, but organisers are considering charging for the event.

The loss of the weekend of free music and entertainment in Ilkley’s Riverside Gardens park was felt by festival-goers this year, said the event’s director, Councillor Anne Hawkesworth.

The event, which included a performance from Imelda May, was paid for by Bradford Council in previous years, but funding was not available this year with a tighter local authority budget.

At a festival organisers’ meeting last week, Cllr Hawkesworth revealed directors are looking into organising their own “big weekend” event at an unconfirmed venue, including a possible entry fee.

She said: “The loss of the Riverside event has been felt by residents and visitors alike. This was expensive and wholly subsidised.

“I have been approached by people saying they would have been happy to pay a reasonable charge in the future.

“We are pursuing a big weekend and the charging option, although in these times it could involve a risk that the festival might not feel happy to take.”