Calling off the event at Capesthorne Hall in Cheshire after two years, they said going ahead would have created a level of “financial uncertainty” that would have been an “irresponsible” move by trustees.
BCDO founder Tim Jupp said: “It is with enormous sadness and disappointment that the Big Church Day Out Trustees and Team are announcing that BCDO North will be cancelled in 2019 and beyond.”
In an open letter, Mr Jupp said the decision followed prayer and long-running talks about the event.
He confirmed the sister South event at Wiston House in West Sussex next summer will go ahead as planned.
After North ticket sales fell short by 3,000 of a 15,000 target set for last year’s debut event, it has since emerged ticket sales were even lower this year.
Mr Jupp continued: “We are very aware that events the size of BCDO need a few years to grow to a sustainable level, but because of the lower than projected numbers in the first two years, we have sadly not been able to afford the luxury of having enough time to keep building.”
While there were never expectations for BCDO to generate a profit, organisers posted a £150,000 budget deficit in May.
Mr Jupp went on to say: “We want to say the most enormous thank you to all those in the North West that have shared our vision and journeyed with us over these past two years to help create two amazing events that we know impacted many lives.
“The commitment and support from those that came was incredible, and we are so grateful to the many that invested both practically and financially into a vision for the church that we had every hope would be around for many years to come.”
BCDO says anyone who booked a place at Big Church Day Out North 2019 will be offered their money back or a ticket to the South event, which promises a star-studded line up.
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People who bought tickets for Big Church Day Out North 2019 are being offered refunds after organisers cancelled the festival, following two years of disappointing tickets sales.
