A POPULAR music event will be going ahead this weekend thanks to businesses in Old Town.

Organisers of Music In The Street, which is going by the name of Jubilee Jazz Day this year, have been given funding by Baker Street and the Kings for the event being held tomorrow.

It was nearly cancelled this year after the Old Town traders who usually fund it pulled out, but organiser Evonne Birch-Jackson said they were pleased it would be going ahead.

“We have been running jazz nights at Baker Street every Tuesday for the last year so we were aware there is a big jazz following in Swindon and so was Baker Street,” she said.

“They were really disappointed when we thought there would be no Music In The Street this year. We asked if they would give us some funding for it and they agreed. The punters will go between the two venues during the day.”

Jazznosis will play at Baker Street in Wood Street from 12.15pm tomorrow, followed by a performance from Emily Wright and the Royals at 1.45pm and The Magnificent 7 at 5pm.

John Paul Gards Cookbook will play at the King’s Arms from 12.45pm and Dave Newton Trio will play from 3.45pm.

Dave Knight, who arranges the music for the event, said: “It is normally supported by the Old Town traders, who felt they were unable to support it this year. They said it would be difficult for financial reasons.

“I have done the jazz festival for about 10 years. Baker Street and the Kings are totally funding the gigs this year. Those two are sharing the cost. Without the funding from the Kings and Baker Street it wouldn’t have taken place. In the future we will try to look for lottery funding.”

In the past, the festival has seen Jamie Cullum take part. Hundreds of people are expected to head to the event on Saturday.

For more information about the musicians search for Baker Street on Facebook.