January 16, 2018 2.11 pm This story is over 74 months old

Popular Lincoln VW Camper Day cancelled for 2018

No Brayford camper day this year.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The 2018 Lincoln Volkswagen Camper Day has been cancelled.

For the last five years, Volkswagen owners and enthusiasts have had the chance to gather for a free display of VW camper vans on the Brayford.

However, it has been announced that the 2018 day will not go ahead due to road changes in the area and the possibility of a funding cut from Lincoln BIG.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Organiser Pete Senneck told The Lincolnite: “There are a couple of reasons for the VW Camper Day is not going ahead this year.

“There has been a lot of changes going on around the Brayford Marina since we were asked by Lincoln BIG to organise a VW event there, which has made putting the event on more difficult.

“When the event first started it went really well, the second and third year we had the road closure so we could park campers up and add stalls along it, which joined both the retail/restaurants side and university together which in turn made the event flow and feel much more well organised.

“But since the road changes and new building works, it has reduced space and felt disconnected.

“It takes months of preparation and promotion to organise an event of this size which takes our time away from our daily work commitments so we need to reassess this problem.

“Lincoln Big help with the financial side of some things but hinted they won’t have the budget to help with the next event, which creates a huge problem for us. We lose money on this event as it is, which we cannot afford to do.

“We have considered finding another venue for this free event but it isn’t easy.”

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lydia Rusling from Visit Lincoln said: “We need a programme of events throughout the year to attract visitors.

“It is the range of events that appeals to different people which makes the city appealing throughout the year.

“It’s disappointing to hear of cancellation of any event as they often benefit local businesses providing accommodation, food and drink and shopping.”

Michael Armstrong from Lincoln BIG said: “We have ran the event for a good number of years and we just want to do something different this year.

“Rather than have the same event year after year, we want to change it up. We try and work along with event organisers but we had to put quite a lot of money into it, so we wanted to try something different.

“We try and bring the changes because that is what brings people in. We are always looking for new events.

For example, instead of the ice rink we had the tipi and that was well accepted, so these changes keep peoples’ interests.”

For disappointed VW Camper enthusiasts, there will however be a VW Camper and Commercial Festival: VanJamboree taking place at Lincolnshire Showground in May.

The VanJamboree is the East Midlands’ ‘largest family friendly VW festival’ and will take place on May 18, 19 and 20.