THERE are doubts about the future of a popular Purbeck family festival after organisers were forced into administration earlier this year owing police some £140,000.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Dorset Police is listed as an unsecure creditor of Bestival. The bill was for providing police at the Lulworth Castle event. The total cost owed amounts to five full-time PCs.

Although there are question marks over Bestival’s future, tickets are now being sold for its sister event, Camp Bestival.

However, a decision has not yet been made as to whether police will staff the event. This could mean Camp Bestival’s licence is reviewed.

A spokesperson from Dorset Police said: “We are working with colleagues at Purbeck District Council, as well as other members of the safety advisory group, and any decisions around the policing and security of Camp Bestival 2019 have yet to be made.”

Police were provided at the larger Bestival event under a Home Office arrangement called ‘specialist policing services’.

The process allows the force to charge for the additional demands of a private event and ensures costs are not met by Dorset residents.

The total payment still outstanding is £141,176. Indie band London Grammar, who headlined the main stage on August 4, are also owed £175,000.

A spokesperson from Purbeck District Council said: “If it comes to light that any licensing conditions are not being complied with, the licence could be called in for review by our licensing committee.”

Police and crime commissioner Martyn Underhill told the Daily Echo he is “incredibly frustrated” and said organisers must “settle their debts”.

Secured creditor James Benamor, the billionaire founder of Amigo Loans, forced Bestival Ltd into administration earlier this year. His company, The Richmond Group, had loaned the organisers £1.6m in February.

The Richmond Group bought the event’s assets and set up a new company called Safe Festivals Ltd, which has been sold to SJM and Live Nation-Gaiety. A report from the administrators Begbies Traynor states Bestival Ltd owe £3.7m to unsecured creditors.

Camp Bestival is due to take place next July.