Southsea traders blame Victorious Festival for revenue losses

Southsea traders say Portsmouth’s Victorious Festival is harming their businesses, citing major revenue losses over the past decade. During a Portsmouth City Council meeting on whether to renew contracts with Victorious Festival and the Great South Run, Jimmy Norman of Clarence Pier told councillors the authority should “address the impact” but stressed he did not want the event removed. Norman said the pier has lost more than £900,000 in revenue, partly linked to the closure of Clarence Esplanade during the festival. Other operators, including Big Blue Ticket Company and Coffee Cup, complained about parking, road closures, restrictions and security issues, while Victorious co-founder James Ralls said organisers try to work with businesses.