A community meeting in Southbourne has brought together more than thirty residents, business owners, stall holders and performers to discuss the future of the Shake and Stir Vintage Music Festival.
The festival, organised by Stir Events CIC, has been part of Southbourne’s summer for many years, celebrating vintage music, style and culture while supporting local trade. This year saw ticketing introduced for the first time to help cover rising costs, a move which organisers say led to lower attendance and a quieter atmosphere.
Mandy Jane Polkey, Managing Director of Stir Events CIC, opened the meeting by thanking the community for their input and saying the event was about listening to feedback and exploring how the festival could remain safe, financially viable and full of energy.
Attendees heard that costs for infrastructure, insurance, licensing and security have increased sharply. New legal requirements under Martyn’s Law mean that fencing, security checks and bag searches will be required at future events, whether ticketed or free. Mandy said these measures would stay in place for safety but the fences could be dressed to make the entrance more welcoming.
Ticket prices were discussed, with some people saying the charge for this year’s event represented good value for live music, while others, especially local families, felt it was too much for shorter visits. A reduced price for residents was widely supported in principle but was seen as difficult to apply fairly.
Ideas included replacing tickets with voluntary donations, but this would need at least £40,000 in sponsorship to make the event free while meeting costs.
Suggestions for programming included adding music from the 1970s and 1980s alongside the current 1940s to 1960s focus, as well as introducing more rides, games and activities for children.
Better publicity and clearer information were also raised as priorities, with many attendees saying they did not use social media or visit the website. It was suggested that more printed leaflets and community mail drops would help ensure everyone knows the event details in advance.
Mandy told the meeting that Stir Events is a not-for-profit organisation but must remain financially sustainable. She said working with the community, sponsors and traders would be essential to deliver a safe, inclusive and lively festival.
Organisers will now review all the ideas and explore funding and sponsorship options. Plans for the 2026 festival are expected to be shared later this year.