This is the kind of news that makes the whole cultural scene in Lyon wince. Already placed in judicial recovery, Woodstower was hoping for a solid buyer to save its story and its teams. But according to Rue89Lyon, the two potential saviors ultimately withdrew in mid-November, leaving the festival facing a gaping void. It's a tough blow for this event that has become emblematic in the Lyon calendar, known for its outdoor concerts and sunny atmosphere at the Grand Park.
An impossible financial abyss to fill
With over €800,000 in deficit, the organizing association no longer has room to bounce back. Behind the lights and the party, the financial reality was relentless. Between inflation, skyrocketing production costs, and dwindling revenues, Woodstower found itself trapped in a financial abyss that is hard to overcome. The...
Seven employees are waiting with total uncertainty. Without a buyer, dissolution becomes a sadly plausible scenario.See this post on Instagram
Both takeover projects have been abandoned despite advanced negotiations. The first candidate, Rosebud — owner of Tribune de Lyon, Lyon Décideurs, and the theater Comédie Odéon — had shown interest.reel. But the risk was too great, even for an experienced actor. On the other side, a solid and quite exciting trio made up of Ninkasi, Nomad Kitchens (Lyon Street Food Festival), and IzyPay seemed to have the upper hand. But they too threw in the towel in the face of the project's scale.
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A Decisive Hearing in Early December
We’re now in the home stretch, where we’re crossing our fingers really tightly. On December 9th, the court will decide: an unlikely revival or a definitive end to a festival that has touched the hearts of thousands in Lyon. Unless there’s a plot twist worthy of a series finale, Woodstower seems ready to take its final bow.
Source : Rue89Lyon