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Portsmouth Comic Con team concede defeat to Coronavirus Pandemic restrictions, postpones until May 2021

By John Freeman on May 21, 2020

Portsmouth’s Guildhall Trust, along with its event partners Tripwire Magazine and GoGeek Events CIC, has sadly decided to postpone Portsmouth Comic Con until Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd May 2021.

The event had previously been rescheduled to 15th – 16th August 2020 due to the pandemic, but with the new quarantine restrictions for international guests announced and re-opening restrictions for venues and events still unclear, the team have now confirmed, as some speculated for a while, that they are no longer able to proceed with plans for an event this summer.

The decision will be a blow to the thousands of comic and other media fans who have fast made Portsmouth Comic Con a popular event since its well-received debut back in 2018.

In a statement, Chief Executive Officer for The Guildhall Trust, Andy Grays said, “While undoubtedly the postponement of our much-loved event will cause disappointment, this is the right decision to ensure the welfare of our guests, exhibitors, staff, volunteers, sponsors and suppliers.

“The health and safety of everyone, has and always will be our priority.

“We also had to consider that without international guests and the inevitable restrictions distancing would have imposed, we would not have been able to deliver the event to the high standard and quality that our visitors have come to expect and enjoy”.

The Trust has invited all guests and partners set to attend this year to return for the new dates and say it is their intention to go ahead in 2021 with the event as we had planned it, but with some additional surprises to ensure we come back with a bang.

“We can’t wait to welcome our amazing comic, film, TV, cosplay, pop culture and geek fans and communities once again on the new dates,” say the organisers.

Existing tickets will be automatically transferred to the new dates and ticket holders do not need to do anything further.

As a special thank you to people for holding on to their tickets, The Guildhall Trust will also be offering a limited ‘thank you’ copy of its Comic Con artwork to collect at next year’s event.

If you are unable to attend the new date, they ask you to contact your point of purchase before 5th June 2020.

“As a charitable Trust, the postponement will have a significant financial and logistical impact,” the organisers note, “and ask that if you are now unable to attend, that you consider donating the cost of your ticket to support the charity behind the event in these challenging times.

“Thank you for your wonderful support, stay safe and we look forward to welcoming you to Portsmouth in May 2021 to make it the best Portsmouth Comic Con – International Festival of Comics ever!”

• Keep an eye on our website www.portsmouthcomiccon.com for further event updates and follow Portsmouth Comic Con on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for lots of comic-related articles and activities to keep you entertained

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.