Reform UK has faced a string of cancelled events in Norfolk, with venues pulling out under pressure from staff, customers and local communities. The pattern has left local branches scrambling to secure places willing to host them – with one upcoming barbecue fundraiser already on its third attempted location.
Village hall pull-out
The latest blow came in Trimingham, where North Norfolk Reform had booked the village hall for a summer fundraiser, priced at £20 a ticket. Just a week before the event, the organisers abruptly pulled out without explanation. Keen to avoid speculation that the decision was political, Liz King, chair of the hall management committee, stressed: “We are quite happy to hire the hall to anybody. This was not our decision. We were informed they did not want to do it anymore. Trimingham Hall is a community building, for the community. What people do once they get here is up to them, as long as it is legal.”
Other cancelled events
That cancellation followed others across the county. Holt Community Centre blocked a planned Reform meeting in February after discovering that party members were behind the booking. The centre said the booking had been presented as a private gathering, and confirmed its policy was not to host political events.
Similarly, the Red Hart Inn in Bodham pulled a scheduled meet-and-greet session after its managers posted publicly on social media that they had not given consent for the event to go ahead.
Staff backlash forces brewery to cancel
The most high-profile clash has come in Norwich. Redwell Brewery in Trowse initially agreed to host a Reform barbecue at its taproom, with tickets advertised at £10. The event promised artisan beef burgers, craft beers, music, a raffle, merchandise and even a photo booth where guests could pose for mock pictures with Nigel Farage. Nick Taylor, chair of the Norwich Reform group, said he was “upfront” about what was being booked.
But the arrangement quickly collapsed after employees objected. Several staff threatened to walk out rather than serve at the event, prompting a storm of criticism on social media. Under pressure, Redwell cancelled.
Brewery apologises
In a statement, the brewery admitted to an “error in judgement” and apologised to staff and customers: “This was not aligned with our values or intentions as a business. Moving forward, we will take greater care to ensure our venue reflects our commitment to inclusivity and neutrality.”
Owner Sam Brown explained he had known the booking was linked to Reform UK, but had not realised it was a political fundraiser: “I don’t think it is for me to make judgements on people’s views and beliefs and I didn’t see this becoming such an issue. However, I had members of my team walking out and I didn’t want to cause any more stress. I’m a businessman but I have to put the views of my staff ahead of that.”
Reform brands the decision “infantile”
The decision infuriated local party organisers. A Reform spokesman branded the cancellation “an infantile reaction,” insisting the party had staged other events in Norwich without issue. Nick Taylor was equally scathing: “It is unfortunate but someone else will take our money. I feel a bit sorry for the management as they have been put in a difficult position – but that is Norwich for you. These people are the last bastion of this sort of attitude that does not tolerate the opinions of others.”
Relocation to Swainsthorpe
The branch quickly rebooked the barbecue five miles outside the city at the SugarBeat Eating House in Swainsthorpe. Its manager, Stevie King, who has faced a downturn in trade due to lengthy roadworks on the A140, made no apologies for taking the booking: “They are spending money and I would be pretty stupid to turn them down – the hospitality industry is hard enough as it is. The staff understand that we are a business at the end of the day. Taking a booking from a certain group doesn’t underpin our own political beliefs. As a business owner, I would never discriminate against someone trying to make a booking.”
Despite the repeated setbacks, Reform has found willing hosts in other venues in the past. It has previously held meetings at the Wensum Valley Hotel and, most recently, at Bylaugh Hall near Dereham. Party members say they will continue to look for alternative spaces.
Social media reaction
The Redwell cancellation story was posted to a local Facebook group where comments were mixed. One Reform supporter wrote: “I’ll be patronising the SugarBeat from now on, then. Redwell brewing? Never heard of them. But know not to buy their products.” Another wrote: “Well done SugarBeat, no doubt there will be plenty of people who will have a great time and spend money, helping your business to thrive.” Others approved of Redwell’s decision with one person commenting: “Well done Redwell staff and customers.” But the comment that got the most ‘likes’, said: “This goes to prove that no matter how hard the Reform Party try, they still can’t organise a p*ss-up in a brewery!”
This article is adapted from three separate reports by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
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