THUNDERSPRINT organisers have confirmed that the prestigious motorbike event will not be returning to Northwich next year, with plans already being considered to replace it.

Frank Melling, Thundersprint’s company director, has confirmed that the event, which is usually held each May, will not be returning to the town in 2013 amid differences of opinion with Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC).

Instead, Mr Melling will be taking the event to Anglesey’s Race Circuit.
He said: “The council had one view of the event, we had another view of the event and Anglesey had a third view. Two of those views lined up and the other didn’t - it is no more complicated than that.”

Doubts were raised over the future of Thundersprint earlier this month when the Guardian reported Mr Melling had failed to submit his funding application to CWAC.

He has since sent a letter to Thundersprint riders, informing them of the change of location for the event.

He wrote: “Many thanks to everyone for all your patience. This is the shortest of notes to let you know that there will not be a Thundersprint at Northwich next year. This is an absolute decision and will not be changed.”

A spokesperson for Cheshire West and Chester Council, who have sponsored the event in previous years, said that Mr Melling had not informed them of his decision to leave Northwich.

The spokesperson said: “The council has not received any application for funding from the organisers of Thundersprint and nor have we been informed that the event is taking place elsewhere.”

According to figures obtained by the Guardian under the Freedom of Information Act, CWAC has paid more £346,000 to Mr Melling and his Thundersprint company since 2008.

This includes money paid to Thundersprint Ltd directly and for associated costs including security, fencing, policing and crowd barriers.

The amount paid to Thundersprint peaked in 2010 when the cost of resurfacing Barons Quay car park took the total cost to £111,676.

Since 2008, the cost of Thundersprint has spiralled from £43,227.50 to £74,500 in 2012.

Thundersprint has attracted mixed reviews over the years with many people suggesting it was doing the town more harm than good.

Sam Naylor, chairman of Northwich Festival, hopes to incorporate the benefits of the Thundersprint into next year’s festival.

He said: “The most popular part of Thundersprint was probably the cavalcade – if we can do something with that to incorporate it into the festival, it would be great.

“Thundersprint put Northwich on the map – it’s just another kick in the teeth for the town to lose it. We have enough criticism about how the town is dying and that was one big event that put us on the map and brought 100,000 people into the town and that’s why I’m going to see if I can salvage anything from it.”

What do you think? Is losing Thundersprint a massive blow for the town? Email emma.rigby@nqnw.co.uk