Reading Festival safe after land sale

United Kingdom | | 04 October 2007

Almost all the land used for the August rock event is now owned by organiser Festival Republic following the sale of a 65-acre plot.

There had been fears that the historic festival may be forced to move locations when landowners put the site up for sale at an estimated £5million earlier this year.

But the acquisition for an undisclosed sum means that 191 acres are now in the hands of festival bosses with the remainder of the Rivermead site belonging to Reading Borough Council.

Festival Republic managing director Melvin Benn said: “This is a very important piece of land to the Reading Festival and acquiring it was essential for the continuation of the festival in Reading.”

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