Access All AreasAn initiative launched by Skiddle in partnership with the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) to provide support for UK independent festival organisers is being hailed as a success.
The partnership has seen the ticketing operations service supplier cover the cost of AIF memberships for 22 festivals. To be eligible, the event operators had to agree to allocate a portion of tickets for their 2026 events for sale via Skiddle.
The qualifying applicants will receive a one-year AIF membership and additional marketing support from Skiddle, including placement in Skiddle’s Festival Guide, editorial coverage, paid media promotion and account management. They will also have access to a free online event management course from Event Masters and a 30-minute brand consultation to help refine their festival’s positioning and audience strategy.
Among the festivals involved in the scheme are Birmingham’s Caribbean Rocks, Chelmsford’s Street Eats ‘n’ Beats Festival, South London’s Priory Live, and Cheshire’s The Brit Fest.
AIF CEO john Rostron said, “It’s a particularly important time for us as we create some new commercial opportunities for our members, and begin the hard work of trying to secure a music festival tax relief for grassroots festivals, all of which will be of enormous benefit to these 22 festivals we’re onboarding, thanks to Skiddle.”