Prestfest postponed until later this year as precautionary measure amid coronavirus pandemic

The organisers of Prestfest have confirmed the event will be postponed "in the interest of minimising any potential spread of the Coronavirus."
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The event - which was scheduled to take place on the Flag Market on Saturday, June 6 - will now take place three months later than initially planned due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Despite the Government not yet issuing instructions to postpone or cancel mass gatherings, organisers have taken the decision to ensure attendees, and the wider city centre, are not affected by any cancellation instructions closer to the event.

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Preston’s most anticipated outdoor music event of the summer will now take place on Saturday, September 5, as will the free Prestfest for Families event.

In a statement released this afternoon, Mark Whittle, from Preston BID, said: “The welfare and safety of attendees, and that of the city centre users at large, are our primary concerns – naturally we are disappointed to have to move the event, but in the interest of reducing any potential risk of impact from mass gatherings, or on front line services, we feel it is the practical thing to do.

“Almost 1,000 guests who have already purchased tickets to the event will be offered replacement tickets for September 5th, those who are unable to make the new date will be offered a refund”.

Public Health England announced that the number of coronavirus cases has increased to 798 today (March 13).

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The number of deaths related to the disease has also increased to 10.

Prestfest has been postponed until later this year.Prestfest has been postponed until later this year.
Prestfest has been postponed until later this year.

Stacey Penney, the BID’s night economy representative, said: “Steps like this are not considered lightly, the decision to postpone the event has been taken simply as a precaution given public concern around the Coronavirus. We have considered all information available to us and have decided to move the event to September 5th.”

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