The Bingley Challenge Festival was canceled days before the event was due to take place

Organizers of a Bradford music festival have canceled the free event just days before it was due to take place, citing “unrealistic demands” placed on them.

The people behind the Challenge Festival, which was due to take place on May 25 and 26 in Myrtle Park, Bingley, have said it will now go ahead.

In an update on Facebook, they said “safety concerns”, including fencing off an area of ​​woodland in case of fire, had prompted the cancellation of the event.

Bradford Council’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which liaised with the organisers, said: “Public safety must be a priority at any event.”

Bradford-born singer Gareth Gates was one of the artists booked to play at the festival.

In their social media post, the organizers wrote: “Another big event has been canceled due to unrealistic requirements such as fencing off a forest area in case of fire, among many others.

“We will put more details later, fully highlighted, 1000 hours and thousands of pounds wasted (sic).”

Bingley Music Town, which runs the bandstand area which features local acts, said it was “trying to move our part of the festival elsewhere”.

It was later confirmed that Bradford and Bingley Rugby Club had offered to host a covered ‘mini festival’ over the weekend.

Mark Wells, who helps promote Havoc City, who have been booked for the kiosk, said: “It’s really disappointing.

“This is another Bradford event canceled at the last minute.

“Bradford’s reputation is absolutely on the rocks.”

West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and Bradford Council’s SAG said: “The organizer has taken the decision to cancel this event.”

A SAG spokesman said it was working with organizers to “ensure the event can take place safely”.

“Assurances were sought from the organizer following the last draft plans to ensure there were contingencies and we understand these have been addressed.

“SAG’s aim is not to stop events, but to provide professional advice to event organizers to ensure that events run safely.

“Public safety must be a priority at any event and different types of events require different levels of safety plans.”