A popular west London canal festival will return to celebrate its fifth birthday this summer after funding concerns.
The Brentford Canal Festival, first launched in 2022, has become a staple of the local calendar, drawing thousands of residents each year.
The annual festival aims to bring awareness of Brentford’s canal and waterways history into the present.
Offering everything from food stands to water sports, the festival is a way for a community to come together by the historic Brentford Gauging Lock.
Martin Case, Brentford Voice chairman and organiser of the festival, said: “Brentford is a real hub of creativity.
“Community-led events are catalysts for Brentford’s identity, connecting residents, visitors, and businesses.”
The festival has consistently brought in thousands of people, with 7,000 attendees predicted for this year’s event.
But with recent economic struggles, the festival was at risk of not raising the required £40,000 in funding.
Councillor Salman Shaheen, representing Hounslow Council, said: “We’ve been providing funding for the Brentford Canal Festival and this is something we’re very, very keen to support.”
”It’s a linchpin of the community.”
Historically, Hounslow Council has contributed £5000 to the festival’s funding, with it aiming to match that this year.
Case emphasised his commitment to keep the festival as open as possible for all attendees, bringing in fundraising from all sides of the Brentford community economy.
“Our ethos is very much to keep it as a free event to retain the community aspect,” he said.
Local restaurants have traditionally set up food stalls around the canal ways for attendees, with local developers, such as the Ballymore Group, pitching in as well.
Sam Harrison, owner of Sam’s Waterside restaurant, praised the organiser’s work.
“I think Martin and the whole team behind Brentford Voice, and therefore Brentford Canal Festival, just do a fantastic job,” he said.
”For me, it’s a key Brentford moment of the year when everybody comes together, and celebrates everything that’s special about Brentford.”
As a local business owner, Harrison also sees the festival as an effective method of expanding his clientele.
“What I like about it as a restaurant operator is that it brings new people to Brentford and introduces them to the area, it gives them a reason to come and explore,” he said.
This year, organisers hope to highlight Brentford’s historic links to London’s canals, with expanded watersports and additional performance stages for local acts.
The festival is scheduled for Saturday 20 June, with fundraising efforts continuing in the lead-up to the event.
Featured image credit: Flora Sawyer
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