Sheffield's MosFest 2020 forced to cancel after sponsorship issues

In a statement, the organisers said they had to take a gap year after individuals claiming they were working for a distribution company of a "very large energy drinks firm" failed to make any payment.

"In early 2018, we had discussions and signed contracts with some people who claimed they were working for a distribution company of a very large energy drinks firm; this agreement would see them sponsor the main stage and they would gain all the benefits in return.

"Despite several promises and broken deadlines which dragged on for 18 months, we have never received payment.

"To compound things, it actually cost us a lot of money for the privilege of having them as main sponsor due to our usual main sponsor, 'Whitehornes' being understanding and moving to our second stage hence putting less money in and the fact that we had bought the stage backdrop banner and signs for the festival act," they said.

They said the non-payment has put an enormous strain on them as they had to borrow money to make sure the 2019 event went ahead.

"We only just managed to pay back the borrowed money and it left us with nothing left to plan for 2020. We are not a big enough festival to take such a huge hit.

"As most of you are probably aware, we offer a true value for money family festival which also looks after the less fortunate.

"We are not in a financial position to take legal action against the people involved and we have contacted the energy drinks company and informed them of what has happened and we haven't received a reply."

The organisers however stressed that no blame was attached to the said energy drinks company for this, adding that they have also tried to get other sponsorships in place to try to carry on in 2020.

They also assured their followers that they would pick things up in 2021, the year they will celebrate their 10th festival.

Those who have bought the tickets for 2020 will be refunded in full and will be contacted in the following week.

Last year, the event was held at Sheffield’s Don Valley Bowl in an effort to raise awareness of homelessness in the city.