The director of a circus says he and his team have been made to feel unwelcome after having their show cancelled in two towns.

Ernest Santus runs the French, family-owned Santus Circus - which has been running for six generations and has toured the UK for over 30 years.

It has visited Hythe for the last 20 years, setting up on the Green, off Portland Road.

But, despite claiming to have reserved a booking last year, Mr Santus says he has now been told he can no longer set up on the field.

The circus was due to arrive next Monday (June 7), but they were told last month other events had been booked in, and there is no longer a slot for the show.

As an alternative, the circus arranged to use private land in Dymchurch, on Romney Marsh - a site used by circuses in the past.

The circus says a large donation was given to a charity favoured by the landowner as part of the deal.

They also spent £1,300 on printing and distributing posters to highlight the visit, but were then shocked to receive a call to say the land could no longer be used.

Speaking from his circus’s current venue at Maidstone, Mr Santus said: "We’ve always had a good relationship with Hythe Town Council, and with our neighbours at the Green.

"Local residents have told us 'we like to see the circus. Some other events are noisy, but you never disturb us’.

"I understand that there’s a limited number of days allowed for events, but with our long record there I wish we could have been kept in the picture.

"It’s even more disappointing that we’ve been prevented from performing nearby.

"I can’t understand why, and it’s cost us a lot of money!"

Mr Santus says it has been a difficult 15 months for the circus.

Despite traditional circuses being recognised by the government and Arts Council England as ‘essential culture’, Santus Circus didn’t qualify for financial support, so the circus people have been deprived of income during most of the pandemic.

He says Santus Circus "exceeds" the Covid safety standards imposed by government regulation and provides "a safe and welcoming socially-distanced space for its audiences".

Mr Santus also said that many shows have performed at Hythe Green in the past, including Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, Bertram Mills, Billy Smart’s and Chipperfields.

He added: "Such sites are as significant in the minds of circus audiences as the country’s regional theatres - many people never go to a theatre but feel comfortable going to a circus, which is one of the only family entertainments suitable for all ages and all cultures.

"A much-loved facet of Hythe life has been cancelled. The circus continues at Maidstone this week, and has then brought forward its visit to Rye, normally scheduled for the summer holidays."

A spokesman for Hythe Town Council said there is 'no hidden agenda'.

They added: "We are only allowed a certain number of events on the green each year. The district council limits us to how many we can hold, which is 28 events annually.

"The circus approached us and we were booked up.

"They are always welcome but if you don't approach us in good time, we do get booked up."

The council added it has no knowledge of the approach by the circus last year to reserve its slot.

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