Shardlow Inland Port Festival cancelled

THE WELL known Shardlow Inland Port Festival has been cancelled for this year.

And there is the news that this festival may not return, Janet Friend reports.

The reason it has been cancelled is due to the many complaints following parking problems at the previous event, it becoming so popular since it was inaugurated some four years ago.

Immediate success

The festival celebrated the area's wealth of canal heritage and takes place every September, and was an immediate success, with many business taking advantage of selling their wares both from land and from the moored boats. And there were many activities.

Though Shardlow Inland Port Steering Group has organised the last four events, the group tells it has worked closely with community partners and sponsors to provide a free family event. But the  Shardlow Inland Port Festival 2025 has to be cancelled due to uncertainties surrounding the field car park and complaints sent to South Derbyshire District Council.

Visitors chose to park in unsuitable areas preventing access, thus those affected raising complaints with the council. So that is the end of what had become a very popular event—perhaps too popular.