February 20, 2009 10:15

Reading festival to be free

New Heavenly Planet event will not charge in first year

New Reading-based festival The Heavenly Planet is to become a free event.

The "family friendly" event, which features the likes of The Wonder Stuff, The Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britain along with a series of dub step and hip-hop programming, will not charge for its inaugural year.

The event is set to take place between July 10 and 11, and will now be ticketless and open to all. More information will be given via Heavenlyplanetfestival.co.uk.

The recommendation for the festival to be a free event is now set to be considered by Reading Borough Council’s cabinet on March 16, and is expected to be approved.

"Festival Republic and its Heavenly Planet partners are wholly committed to providing a new world-class festival in Reading alongside the banks of the River Thames, starting in July this year," said Melvin Benn of organisers Festival Republic.

"The ethos of Heavenly Planet Festival is music and optimism and we have made the decision that this year’s event will be free for Reading residents and its visitors to enjoy."

Anyone who has already purchased a ticket can get a refund from Reading Arts Box Office on 0118 960 6060.