Mathew St festival 2002 - crowd shot (300)
LIVERPOOL city bars and clubs will be asked to put cash towards the cost of this year’s Mathew Street festival.
Liverpool council, who previously shouldered the cost, said it can no longer afford to run the festival without contributions from businesses which stand to make money from the three-day August music extravaganza.
Around 300 firms have been asked to contribute through a council-tax style banding system whereby those closest to the action are asked for £400, down to £250 for businesses on the periphery.
The Flanagan group, which owns the Newz Bar, has pledged £10,000 towards sponsoring the Water Street stage, outside the venue.
The Cavern club and pub have also promised £2,000 but some publicans said they thought asking a flat rate for all would have been a better idea.
