A popular seafood festival held in Weymouth has blamed an increase in the site fee for its cancellation - despite a record turnout.

The organisers of the two-day Dorset Seafood Festival, known as SEAFEAST, have announced that the event will not be held in 2024.

The annual festival was founded in 2008 and over the years grew to become one of Weymouth’s biggest events.

Originally based around Weymouth Harbour and free to attend the festival relocated in 2021 to the Weymouth Peninsula (behind the Pavilion) - with an entrance fee - due to concerns over possible Covid-19 restrictions.

The organisers say that layout changes to the harbourside and a sharp downturn in the economy, resulted in increased costs and significantly reduced sponsorship. This meant they had no way forward other than to continue at the Peninsula in 2022 and 2023, where it was hoped ticketing could help secure the funding necessary to cover costs.

Tickets cost £10 per adult per day, with a discounted rate on one of the days for locals, with children under 16 free of charge.

The 2023 festival saw a record crowd of around 10,000 people.

However, organisers say that almost all costs to hold the event have gone up year after year, adding that recent increases to car parking prices from Dorset Council have seen the site fee alone "surpass £15,000".

READ MORE: Dorset car parking increases in 'busy tourist areas'

The festival, which runs over two days and is held in early September, covers the Dorset Council-owned car park at the Peninsula site - and a fee is paid to the authority for its use.

In a statement, organisers called the fee a 'staggering increase' that helped 'make the decision for this year'. 

They would not disclose how much the fee had gone up by compared to the previous year.

No information has been given either as to whether the event will be held in 2025.

Laura Avant, Festival Director, said: “We are very proud that we found a way to keep the Festival going through difficult times over the past few years – first the Covid-19 pandemic where we lost a whole year, then the funding problems caused by the worsening economic climate. We know ticketing wasn’t an approach approved of by everyone, but it just about enabled us to cover costs and keep the event going.

"The new format came with some great benefits too, with a less crowded space and the ability for us to provide much more seating, children’s cookery workshops, art activities etc, we’ve had some amazing feedback.

"The festival has always been a labour of love, everyone who gets involved ends up putting in more time than they really should. The reward for our small team has always more about a sense of achievement than anything else. However the recent cost increases are such that we must now go with our heads and not our hearts.

"The festival has raised more than £90,000 for the Fishermen’s Mission charity over the years and has been the biggest annual event contributor to their funding. The charity is close to the heart of everyone involved with the Festival, and we’re truly sorry that fundraising efforts won’t continue next year.

"Thank you to everyone who has attended the festival over the years, please continue to enjoy sustainable local seafood! A huge thank you to our sponsors, stall holders, partners, chefs, musicians and local contractors too – it’s been a real team effort (and a blast!) hosting the event and we couldn’t have done it without you.”

READ MORE: PICTURES: Dorset Seafood Festival 2023 in Weymouth

A study on the economic impact of the 2022 festival showed an impressive £3.1 million benefit locally, which is something the organisers are incredibly proud of. However, for the small local team that runs the event, justifying the time and colossal effort involved in the organisation has become increasingly difficult.

Dorset Council has been contacted for a comment.