SOUTH Cheshire's biggest music festival could be saved from collapse.
The Nantwich Folk and Roots Festival, which has just celebrated its seventh year, looked certain to be a no-show for 2006, as organisers conceded they did not have the funding or support to keep it going.
Now a saviour, in the form of Beverly Cope, manager of the Nantwich Now Market Town Project, has been found to help turn the financial problems around.
She is in the process of finalising a business strategy for festival co-ordinators Dave Hogg and Clare Smith and says she is convinced it will go ahead next year.
Ms Cope said: 'The managers need to be more brutal but there is a lot that can be done to help out and if we work hard and get more partners involved, the festival will return.
'The work needed to stage the event each year is immense and we simply need to take a different approach. 'The management at present is living hand-to-mouth and different funding routes are needed.
'Clare, Dave and the rest of the team are very enthusiastic and creative but they have never brought in anybody externally to help them market the festival.
'It is realistic to say that the festival will end if organisers don't bring others on board and follow a structured business plan, but I believe there is lots of opportunity for the festival.'
Co-organiser Dave Hogg said he hopes the festival will get bigger and better every year.
Mr Hogg said: 'We were all very down in the dumps about the prospects for the festival not long ago but now we are overjoyed Beverly has come on board to help us.
'There are also some great possibilities for 2007, which we hope to make extra special.'
Town business expert Beverly is already in talks with companies considering sponsorship of the festival, which attracts thousands of people to the town each year with top musical acts and free craft workshops.
The plan could also include more targeted funding bids to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Council and possibly local councils.
