Appleby Horse Fair’s “Travelling Man” bar announces pause for 2024

The organisers of the “Travelling Man” mobile bar, a popular addition to the 2023 Appleby Horse Fair, have announced that they will not be operating the bar at this year’s Fair.

Alex Hutchison, Operations Director at Wannasee Ltd., said, “The current condition of the festival and event market in the UK is widely reported as challenging, with the industry calling for support from the central government.

“Unfortunately due to the wider position of the market, we have been forced to re-evaluate the business focus in 2024. This means that, despite great support, we will be unable to deliver the ‘Travelling Man’ bar at Appleby Horse Fair in 2024."

However, the Wannasee Ltd. board have indicated that they still intend to provide the “Travelling Man” bar at future Fairs. 

Mr Hutchinson said that, “Despite this temporary set-back during a turbulent economic period, we remain fully committed to the long term future of this concept and will work with the authorities to ensure that the ‘Travelling Man’ bar is back at Appleby Horse Fair, bigger and better than before, in 2025.”

Westmorland and Furness Council’s Director of Thriving Communities and Chair of the MASCG, Steph Cordon, said, “Whilst it’s obviously disappointing that the 'Travelling Man' bar won’t be at this year’s Fair, I’m pleased that Wannasee Ltd. have committed to returning, next year and we look forward to working with them to ensure that this happens.”