A Reform council boss has hit back after being accused of cancelling a beloved biannual event.
Organisers announced last week that this year’s Lumiere Festival in Durham city centre would be the last.
The event first began in 2009 and has drawn more than 1.3 million visitors over the years. The 2025 edition of the festival was already set to be a day shorter amid questions about cost.
Now, Reform UK’s leader on the council has told GB News the party is “supportive of a refreshed and revitalised event” in the city.
Andrew Husband told GB News: “Following last week’s announcement that Lumiere 2025 will be the final edition in its current format, there has been a great deal of media coverage and comment about when and why the decision was made.
“The previous administration at the county council began to explore options to manage the escalating costs of ‘Lumiere 2025’ and by April 2024, subsequently they agreed that “the 2025 event would be the last of the current editions and that the future of Lumiere beyond 2025 will be subject to a deeper review and ‘reset’ process”.
“The Reform administration are surprised to learn only recently how this was left by the previous administration and therefore has not had the opportunity to make any further decisions beyond this.
“Whilst this decision was not made by the current administration, we, alongside partners, recognise that a funding strategy is needed for the event going forward. Therefore, it is appropriate that a review be undertaken that also presents an opportunity to reassess our events programme and ensure it remains ambitious, innovative, and fit for the future.”
He continued: “I would like to reaffirm that should a sustainable funding strategy be found for Lumiere, we would be supportive of a refreshed and revitalised event continuing in the county.
“In all our communications we have acknowledged the positive impact that the event has for the county and region.
“I will be writing to the North East Mayor asking for the opportunity to discuss the availability of regional resources, following the Mayor’s public commitment to providing her support.”
The Councilor for Chester-le-Street North also confirmed Reform UK had not cancelled the city’s annual Pride event, saying it would still go ahead “just not at the expense of County Durham taxpayers”.
The event drew over a million people to the city centre last year
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Artist Angela Sandwith, from Seaham, who was commissioned for this year’s festival, expressed her disappointment at the festival being cancelled.
She told the BBC: “It’s going to be a great miss.
“It’s given thousands and thousands of people that opportunity to see world-class light art in a beautiful setting.”
However, she expressed her optimism for the future of the medium in the city, adding: “I think light art is now embedded in Durham.”
Lights were installed in the cathedral building
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Councillor Husband added Lumiere has generated more than £43m for the local economy.
The City of Durham Parish Council has called for funding to be “captured and redirected” towards other arts and culture events throughout the year.
“Lumiere has been absolutely terrific for the city and for our wider county, helping to place Durham firmly on the map as a cultural focal point for the North East,” chair Susan Walker said.
“Whilst we are naturally disappointed to see such an iconic event come to an end, it is vital that the significant funding and investment is not lost to the city”.
Alan Strickland, Labour MP for Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor, raised the issue in the Commons during Prime Minister’s Questions earlier today.
Strickland, who won his seat last year with a majority of 8,839, said the Reform council was “undermining businesses and undermining communities”.
He asked Sir Keir Starmer: “Would the Prime Minister agree that if Reform can’t run one county council they certainly can’t run Scotland, Wales or our United Kingdom?”
The Prime Minister responded, saying: “Well, he’s absolutely right to point out, as voters in Durham can see, what you get if you vote Reform is total chaos and broken promises.”
