THE team behind Hat Fair – the UK’s longest-running outdoor arts festival – is on the hunt for new storage space.

For several years the hosts have benefitted greatly from storage space given to them from Winchester City Council, at their Bar End depot.

But with the current planned redevelopments, last month the team was given notice to remove their extensive inventory of items, and is currently storing them in two locations across the city.

They need one long term solution and hope that the public or local businesses can help.

The Hat Fair hosts are ideally looking for a space in Winchester or the vicinity, available from after the Hat Fair weekend in July, if not earlier, and onwards.

It needs to be ground level and ten metres squared, rain-proof and dehumidified, as it has to store materials and instruments safely.

It also needs easy access for staff members associated with Hat Fair and Live Theatre Winchester Trust – the charity behind the festival and Theatre Royal Winchester, and enough space surrounding it for a van to load and unload equipment.

The owner does not need to be involved in the Arts and the Hat Fair hosts are happy to share if an individual or organisation has available space.

If able to help, email Hat Fair director Andrew Loretto at andrew@hatfair.co.uk.