The future of the Battle of Flowers remains unclear as organisers continue to assess whether the event can go ahead this year, it has emerged.
The Battle of Flowers Association met last night to discuss outstanding debts from last year’s event and consider the feasibility of holding the annual parade this summer.
A working group has been set up to report back to members, but no final decision has been made.
The association said today that a further announcement will be made in due course.
Despite having its Government grant almost doubled to £270,000 for last year’s celebration, it emerged recently that the Battle made a loss last year.
As of last month, 2024 exhibitors were still waiting for payment.
Meanwhile, organisers paid an undisclosed sum to bring UK music star Sam Ryder to last year’s event in the hope that the pair would boost ticket sales.
Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel, who has responsibility for arts, heritage and culture, confirmed to Express in recent weeks that he was working with the Battle of Flowers Association to “secure the long-term future of the event”.
At the time, Deputy Morel said: “The Battle holds significant cultural and community importance to Jersey and we will continue to assist efforts to secure its sustainable future.
“We’re awaiting a grant request for 2025 and stand ready to support this.
“The volunteers work hard to put the Battle on each year and I will be working with their association to secure the long-term future of the event.”
The 2024 celebration grant was up 80% from £150,000 in 2023.
Deputy Morel also told Express that the increased funding was aimed at addressing the “headwinds” facing the event since the pandemic and providing organisers with the means to “reinvigorate” it for a new generation of islanders and tourists.
When asked last year about the £40,000 disparity between Battle’s grant and that of the Jersey International Air Display, Deputy Morel said they were not “comparable events”.
He added: “One of the key differences between [Battle] and the Air Display in terms of Government funding was that the Battle of Flowers Association came to us a long time ago, a year ago, with a business case [saying] if you can give us this much extra funding, we will do this, this and this to modernise etc.”
Express attempted to contact Battle of Flowers Association chairman Russell Labey for comment this morning, but was told he was unavailable.
A statement from the Association was provided instead, which said: “The Battle of Flowers Association met last night to be updated on progress to settle all outstanding accounts and discuss the feasibility of parades in 2025.
“A working party will report back to members in the near future and an announcement will be made at that time.
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