Burnley Council backing return of Towneley Live next year (From This Is Lancashire)

Burnley Council backing return of Towneley Live next year

12:20pm Saturday 10th September 2011 in Leisure By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

POP stars like McFly and The Saturdays could be heading back to Burnley next year if town hall chiefs get their way.

More than 12,000 fans packed into Towneley Park last month for the first Towneley Live event.

The festival, organised by promoters Livewyre, was headlined by rappers N’Dubz and featured Scouting for Girls and Diversity.

And if big names can be secured then Towneley Live 2012 has not been ruled out by senior councillors.

Coun Jeff Sumner, leisure and culture cabinet member, said: “The footfall from people attending the event was fantastic. There was a 12,000-plus crowd and I can’t wait until the next one.”

Leader of Burnley Council, Coun Charlie Briggs, said: “With the reaction of the people of Burnley I am hoping the organisers will come back next year.

“I believe there is a meeting going ahead in the next few weeks between organisers and the council to talk over what went on at the concert.

“Then I will try and be involved with next year’s event and will meet the organisers to try and get the ball rolling.”

Mayor of Burnley, Coun David Heginbotham, who opened Towneley Live said: “It put the town on the map for the right reasons.”

“I think that it will return next year and I hope it wlll. It is an event which Burnley should rightly be proud of.”