A well-loved convention due to take place this weekend had to quickly change its plans as the Swindon council refused to host them.

The highly anticipated XTC convention is back this weekend after a five-year wait, but on Wednesday, they were told they can't be at STEAM as originally planned.

"We got an email at 11:30am on Wednesday from Swindon Council saying we can't use STEAM for the convention anymore," organiser Darryl Bullock said.

The reason for the cancellation is the current mourning period ahead of the Queen's funeral on Monday.

But Darryl mentioned the government's comments regarding events, saying that it's up to the organisers to decide whether or not to cancel.

"We had a conversation with STEAM on Tuesday evening about what to do, and we wrote an application about why we believe the convention should still go ahead.

"But then we got the email from the council yesterday morning, saying we couldn't be at STEAM anymore.

Darryl is one of four organisers of the event, and they have all worked frantically since yesterday to try to find a new location for the convention.

With over 200 visitors from all over the world, including Japan, Australia, Israel and the United States, they don't want to let them down after having travelled that far, especially with such short notice.

The organisers originally booked STEAM three years ago, and have had to rebook twice; once because of COVID and once because the government was using the building for Covid vaccinations.

Instead of being at STEAM for the convention, the new venues are:

  • Friday - MECA in Regent Circus, but starting with a walking tour from STEAM
  • Saturday - The Community Centre at Christ Church in Old Town
  • Sunday - The Jury's Inn in Fleming Way, as originally planned

Councillor Matty Courtliff, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage, Leisure and Town Centre Experience, said: “This was not a decision we took lightly and was considered very carefully against the guidance for the national period of mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“In light of many other music events being cancelled across the country and the huge outpouring of emotion currently being expressed at a time of local and national grief, we did not feel it was appropriate to host an event featuring live or recorded music up until midnight so close to the funeral of Her Majesty The Queen.

“I appreciate some people may find this decision disappointing and I regret any inconvenience that has arisen for the organisers, attendees and local businesses who were supporting the event.”