HOPES of a ‘pop-up’ beer and gin festival in Helensburgh this year have been dashed, with organisers confirming that it will be 2022 before any event can be held.

The volunteer-run festival, which supports local good causes with its profits, was cancelled in March due to Covid.

Although pandemic restrictions are set to be removed across Scotland by August 9, the prospect of around 2,000 revellers attending the outdoor event prompted organisers to pull the weekend bash and re-arrange for next year.

There had been suggestions of a smaller event being held next month for around 200 guests, each having two-hour allotted time slots, however a post on the Helensburgh Beer and Gin Festival Facebook page over the weekend stated that that would not be happening.

The update read: “Unfortunately, we feel we are unable to host a festival this year without putting at risk any future events.

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“These festivals, even a small one, would result in significant costs to us as hosts. Financial loss if it wasn’t as successful as anticipated would significantly reduce funds for next year’s full size festival.

“We also have to take into consideration the ‘pingdemic’. Given a number of local hospitality businesses have been forced to close for a period of time recently due to staff having to isolate, we, the volunteers that run the Helensburgh Beer and Gin Festival, are unable to take this chance.

“We all have full time jobs with some of us being self employed and so the potential of having to isolate on the back of any possible event isn’t something we could risk.

“We hope you will all understand our decision and be back next year for what will hopefully be the return of the ‘Best Wee Fest in the West’.”