COUNCILLORS remain hopeful that a popular music and arts festival could return to Gwynedd despite organisers announcing that no event will take place next year.

In July the organisers of Festival No6, set in and around the picturesque Italianate village of Portmeirion, said that the event was “not sustainable in its current format” announcing it was “taking a break” in 2019.

Since launching in 2012, the event has seen performances from Noel Gallagher and the Pet Shop Boys – all set against the idyllic background of the setting for 1960’s TV drama, The Prisoner.

Franz Ferdinand, Friendly Fires and The The were among the bands headlining the four-day festival which has traditionally brought together English and Welsh medium art and performance.

However, Gwynedd councillors remain hopeful that the popular festival could return to the county with organisers admitting they are “already thinking about the future”.

Speaking during a cabinet meeting in Caernarfon Cllr Ioan Thomas, who leads on Economic Development, said: “It was disappointing, of course, to learn that Festival No 6 won’t be taking place next year but we remain hopeful that a festival will take place again in the future.

“We must appreciate how much of a positive effect the festival has had on the local area and the Gwynedd economy wider and many businesses have benefited.

“Taking a year out isn’t uncommon of course, it happens with festivals such as Glastonbury.

“Its clear the organisers have some loyalty to Portmeirion and the unique location does add something to the festival itself.

“We will certainly work with them to look at every possible option going forward.”

Cllr Gareth Thomas, who represents the Penrhyndeudraeth ward, added: “Festival No 6 has contributed tremendously to the local economy.

“Having spoken with the organisers, its clear that they’ve decided to take a year out to reconsider the future but I very much hope there will be some kind of festival after the 2019 break.

In a statement before this year’s event, Festival No6’s organisers said: “In six short years the profile of the festival has far outgrown its intimate capacity, picking up numerous awards, gaining international recognition and becoming one of the world’s most unique festivals. 

“We always knew we had something special but we never quite expected it to capture people’s imagination the way it has. Running Festival No 6 hasn’t been without its challenges.

“Portmeirion is a complex site and we’ve had fun adapting and reinventing the festival every year but unfortunately No 6 is just not sustainable in its current format and so we’ve made the difficult decision to take a breather – 2018 will be the last Festival No 6 for now.

 “We want to thank everyone who has been a part of the Festival No.6 journey so far.

“Most importantly, we want to thank everyone who has ever joined us at Festival No.6 over the years.

“Taking a break is the right decision but not all is lost, we’re already thinking about the future.”