THIS week the Isle of Wight Jazz Weekend announced it was not going ahead with the 2020 event due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Now, the organisers have issued a statement about their decision and plans to refund ticket holders.

"Our ability to stage the event was already looking questionable even before the UK Government issued advice “to stop non-essential contact with others and to stop all unnecessary travel” along with the call to “Avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues.” We are also very much aware that restrictions on those aged 70 or over, would account for a substantial part of our audience. Furthermore, three of our main venues have now decided to shut their doors for the next three months.

It would have been irresponsible of us to go ahead with our Jazz Weekend this coming May, so regrettably we have decided to postpone the Isle of Wight Jazz Weekend until the first week of June 2021 in light of the Government advice. A decision had to be made now before we reached the point of no return and incurred large financial costs.

The current plan is:

• All ticket sales will be refunded in full - if you have purchased tickets from Ticket Source or directly from us we will contact you directly. We are liaising with the Isle of Wight County Press (whose offices are now closed to the public) as to how refunds from there will take place.

• The Isle of Wight Jazz Weekend will return from June 2-6, 2021 and we are offering all 2020 headline acts the opportunity to play in 2021.

• We will keep a very careful eye on how things pan out over the next few months, and will make all efforts to put on a small jazz event perhaps over one or two days, on the Isle of Wight later this year. We hope that this is something you might be able to support when we get beyond the current difficulties.

Our thoughts are with everyone at this difficult time and we hope you stay as safe and healthy as possible."