AN UPTURN in tippler numbers has made Southampton Beer Festival viable once more, but the rise has not been enough to guarantee its long-term future.

A question mark had been hanging over the two-day Guildhall event after disappointing attendances in 1998, blamed in part on potential punters staying away to watch the football world cup.

Organisers from the South Hants branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) were hoping for a bumper turnout this year following an extensive publicity campaign and the absence of any rival attractions.

Numbers were up by ten per cent on 1998 to stand at 2,100 festival-goers, but these figures were still about 500 down on the inaugural event in 1997.

Branch spokesman Rob Whatley said a final decision on whether to host a festival in 2000 would be made within the next month or so.

"We were satisfied with the atten-dances, but obviously we were hoping for a few more. It is probable there will be a festival next year, but it is not definite as yet," he added.

He added that more than 30 of the 70-odd cask-conditioned brews offered at the event were still available at the end of the festival, meaning it was worth staying until the bitter end.

The next date in the imbiber's calendar is the long-running Eastleigh Beer Festival, which is due to be held at the Nightingale Centre, Nightingale Avenue, from October 29 to 30.

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