We are truly disappointed to announce that the Golden 8 Ball 2020 Festival of Pool is cancelled. After great deliberation, we have decided it is best to cancel this year’s event and avoid the uncertainty that surrounds it. The current UK Covid-19 situation is not looking very positive – at the time of writing we are still at level 4 and have a long way to go before lockdown is eased enough to allow mass indoor gatherings. The R rate is still high throughout most of UK, especially in Blackpool.

Cancelling now allows our players to make alternative plans for August and not be left hanging on in anticipation. Due to the nature of our event, it is near impossible to socially distance and the arena can get very congested in places. We think this is the sensible option that protects the health of our players and staff – plus we would rather not appear on the front page of the Daily Mail as the Golden super spreaders!

We have a small bit of good news. The hotel has agreed to automatically move accommodation bookings over to 2021, just as we will move team places over to 2021. Anyone who cannot make the 2021 event will get a full refund, for both hotel accommodation and team entry fee. Teams that wish to cancel should contact Sharon Griffiths via Facebook or ‘contact us’ form, to start the refund process.

Team places for 2021 that are cancelled, will be offered to teams that are currently on the waiting list. If you can make 2021, then there is nothing to worry about and no action to take. You will automatically be moved to the new date.

2021 Novice Series to be held Thursday 10th June to Sunday 13th June. The Pro-Am series will be held Wednesday 16th June to Sunday 20th June.

We hope the BAPTO event will go ahead, but again, it is too early to say. We plan to make a final decision on BAPTO in early September.