BOURNEMOUTH’S only aviation museum will not have a stand at the Air Festival after “refusing to pay the mortgage” BCP Council allegedly wanted.

After always having a stand in the Square, the Bournemouth Aviation Museum will this time host an event at their museum, giving people the opportunities to view the aircraft at the airport.

Mike Phipp, trustee at the museum, said: “Normally we are down in the Square with a stall and we have a few items for sale and also take one of the cockpits for the kids to sit in.

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“In the past the council have said ‘we will let you come in for free’, unfortunately they have said ‘we are going to have to charge you this year’.

“We thought any money we take on the day probably would not cover that cost, and we are running out of volunteers to man the stall.

“We thought we’d concentrate on the museum, invite people to come along to the viewing platform and see the majority of the aircraft taking off and landing.”

Mr Phipp said they were disappointed they won’t be at the Air Festival but hoped people would enjoy what they host at the museum.

He said the museum would have a pop-up café with more food than normal and give aviation fans the opportunity to get a view of the airport.

He added: “I have a feeling a number of stalls won’t turn up this year because of the cost.

“We can understand rising costs but it won’t be worthwhile.”

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A statement on the Bournemouth Aviation Museum Facebook page said: “We will not be down the town centre this year (we refused to pay the mortgage they wanted) so we are staying ‘in house’ as they say.

“Our brilliant volunteers Jill, Margaret, Christine and Viv are going to trial a ‘pop-up café’ serving coffee, cake and homemade savouries like pasties and sausage rolls.

“The cafe will be open from 11am until 3pm. At the moment it will only be open for three days.

“You can still bring your own food if you require and we would appreciate your feedback.

“So, with free parking, cheap entry, no hassle and a safe place for the kids and plenty of volunteers to look after all your needs where else would you rather be?”

A spokesperson for BCP Council said: “We have enjoyed many years welcoming Bournemouth Aviation Museum to the Bournemouth Air Festival.

“We had been in contact with the charity leading up to the festival and they were offered, like all charities, a reduced rate for a stand but they have chosen not to attend this year. This is normal practise as in previous years.”