THIS year's air festival will go ahead despite a £100,000 target not yet being raised.

A target for £100k was set by BCP Council's cabinet late last year, raised by sponsorships and donations, to help fund the three-day show.

Alongside this, BCP Council would contribute £200,000 of taxpayers' money to fund the show - breaking even from the revenue.

Sources have told the Echo that the £100,000 has not been raised, but BCP Council has said it expects this to be raised after the air show this week.

A spokesman said: “In addition to income raised prior to the festival’s launch, income raised during the festival, though premium parking, programme sales and other commercial activity, will support us in achieving our overall income target.”

Responding to the question ‘has £100,000 been raised?’, Richard Herrett, BCP Council’s cabinet member for destination, leisure and commercial operations, could not give a straightforward yes or no. 

He said: “Income generation in advance of this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival is making good progress, reflecting the strong support for this much-loved event. 

“In addition to the funds already secured, revenue will continue to be boosted through ongoing sales of advance programmes and commercial income raised during the event.  

“We look forward to welcoming everyone to the festival [this week].” 

It’s not clear how much has been raised. 

Just last week, BCP Council asked its residents to consider donating either £2, £5 or £10 to contribute to its year-round leisure activities. 

Cllr Herrett added that the donations raised will help fund “a diverse future calendar of leisure, community and cultural activities for all to enjoy”. 

He said: “This will help us to make greater use of our beautiful outdoor spaces, as well as encourage more people to be active and enjoy our cultural offering.   

“It will also help drive further visits to our fantastic three towns and connect residents in our vibrant communities, all while supporting the local economy in the process.” 

Phil Broadhead, opposition leader, accused the £100k the council said it needed as being a “smokescreen” by the “fun-hating” Lib Dems.

Her said: "Last year, the council's own documents showed that the much-loved Air Festival only cost the council around £100,000 after all the income had been taken into account, for an event that brings in almost £60m to the wider economy. 

“The decision to scrap it on ‘cost grounds’ was always a smokescreen for the fact that the Lib Dem-run council, propped up by other fun hating parties, simply didn't like it.  

“The revised higher costings were only made possible by including use of ‘staff time’ in the workings out, which is simply bonkers.  

“And now we hear that the extra £100k that they needed to raise wasn't real either. Like hundreds of thousands of others I'll be there this weekend enjoying the festivities, and I hope the council's leadership will listen to the roar of the crowds, change their minds, and put this mainstay back on the calendar for good."