**Important Announcement**

Statement from Paignton Regatta Committee

It is with enormous regret that the Paignton Regatta Committee have agreed to cancel their event for 2021.

The regatta would have been held in the first week of August and is a traditional seaside community event, based around the Regatta stage. The event has been running since 1847 and apart from a short break during the two world wars, it has taken place every year. The event was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Ken Robertson, the honorary Chairman of the committee commented:

“We have been in constant communication with representatives of Torbay Council and at this time, we believe that some forms of restriction are likely to remain in place over the summer that will not make it viable to hold our event, both from the perspective of the additional costs that the event would need to cover and manpower that would be required to keep everyone safe.

Many businesses have been impacted during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our event is heavily reliant on sponsorship and runs on tight margins. We are not seeing the level of sponsorship being available to us that would enable us to operate. Our regular sponsors really want to continue to support us, but they are not in a position to help us out financially this year. However, given twelve months of normal trading conditions, they feel confident they will be able to be back onboard with financial support.

We understand that many people will be disappointed with our decision, however we are determined that Regatta will take place in 2022.”

We hope you all stay safe over the next year and promise that will see you again in 2022.​