An update on Reading Festival 2025.

The Committee received a presentation from Claire Armstrong, Melvin Benn, Vicky Chapman and Charlotte Oliver from Festival Republic, giving an update on the 2025 Reading Festival and setting out plans for the 2026 event. The presentation and subsequent discussion included:

• The 2025 festival had been a big success, although the event had not been quite at full capacity.

·         There had been an increase in the number of themed camping areas, including Solo, Access, Eco, Glitterball and Calm, which reflected the changes in festival-goer demographics, particularly post-Covid. These sites could be booked in advance. The Get Ready With Me (GRWM) stations, providing hair styling tools, mirrors etc had proved very popular, although there would be improvements to the sign-up system to prevent double booking for future years.

·         AIR (Assistance, Information and Response) Hubs had continued to improve, with festival-goers never being more than 200 metres from a Hub if they needed support.

·         The Festival had addressed the previous year’s complaints about noise from the Chevron Stage by moving it inside a marquee, which had reduced external noise levels and created a good atmosphere for the attendees.

·         On and off-site traffic management had worked well, although it was still proving difficult to encourage attendees to be dropped off/picked up away from Richfield Avenue where possible, to avoid congestion. The use of the Festival Bridge and River Taxis had also continued to support alternative travel.

·         More partners, including Safe Space, had been involved in the promotion of safeguarding and welfare. Particular emphasis had been placed on zero tolerance of violence against women and girls (VAWG), spiking, drug and alcohol use and looking out for each other, with posters and messages on the large screens to help raise awareness. It was noted that an increase in reported incidents could reflect an increase in people feeling comfortable to report rather than an increase in the number of incidents, and that more data would be needed before any conclusions could be drawn.

·         The Festival was staffed by 6-7,000 paid staff, plus volunteers. Volunteers raised money for charity and were more committed, plus they received a free ticket to the event.

·         There had been continuing efforts both back and front of house to improve sustainability, which had led to a further decrease in emissions and waste, with overall waste down by 17% and an approximate decrease of 20% in the tonnage of tents left behind. A range of measures had been aimed at festival-goers including Look Out For Our Planet, competitions and rewards. Festival Republic would look to provide greater details on energy use per attendee and total water use going forward.

·         Plans for the 2026 Festival included continuous improvements in safeguarding and VAWG, reviewing the named campsites to provide the best possible experience for customers, and expanding them if required, further work on how to persuade people to take all of their camping equipment home, expansion of GRWM tents and investigation of groundworks to identify solutions to the very dusty ground caused by a dry summer.

Resolved -    That the presentation be noted.