Victorious Festival accused of “negative impact” on tourism trade by Clarence Pier - as festival hits back

Those who run Clarence Pier were angered after Clarence Esplanade and Pier Road were closed off on Saturday. It comes as the pier operators say trading levels are “down significantly” due to the three-day music extravaganza that sees 170,000 people flock to the area.

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The organisers of Victorious hit back by saying the festival has a “huge economic boost to the local economy” and does what it can to help business next to Victorious to encourage festival-goers to visit nearby attractions and facilities and allows re-admission. The festival also urged the pier traders to work with them having “not been contacted by Clarence Pier for many years”.

Clarence Pier was described as “rather quiet today (Saturday)” by one local. The attraction site is not the only place that remains open with Blue Reef, The Pyramids Centre, South Parade Pier, Southsea Model Village, the Beach Club, Deep Blue, The Briny, Southsea Beach Cafe and the Gaiety Bar and more all still open. Meanwhile, D-Day Museum and Southsea Castle are both part of Victorious.

Speaking of their frustrations, a spokesperson for Clarence Pier said: “We would like to highlight the impact that holding the Victorious Festival has had on the seaside resort of Southsea’s economy. This event is held over what is nationally the last meaningful seasonal trading period before the long winter shut down for many seaside businesses.

“It not only shuts down the resort over a Bank Holiday weekend but has a negative impact on the resort's trade in the weeks leading up to the event and beyond, due to Southsea Common’s closure.

“We believe the negative impact that this event has should also be included within Victorious’ report, which highlights only the positives, of which we recognise there are many for city and its people.”