Theakstons extends crime writing sponsorship

l Chief executive of Harrogate International Festival, William Culver-Dodds (left), with title sponsor Simon Theakston, executive director of Theakstons Brewery

April 2, 2007: Theakstons has announced a major five-year sponsorship of Europe’s largest Crime Writing Festival. The 2007 Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival — part of the Harrogate International Festival — will also see the third Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year.

The sponsorship ensures that the festival will continue to bring the best crime writers to Yorkshire, in what is now recognised internationally as one of the most prestigious events associated with the crime writing genre.

Simon Theakston, executive director of T&R Theakston, said: “I am delighted to be renewing our sponsorship of the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival and Crime Novel of the Year for the next five years.

"This is a sign of our commitment in working together to make the festival bigger and better, year on year. Our association with this event for the last three years has been hugely successful for all concerned and the potential is limitless.

“We originally chose to support the Crime Writing Festival because we identified a strong brand synergy with their values and our legendary Old Peculier ale. Theakstons is proud to be associated with what is becoming a sought-after and prestigious literary Festival.”

Chief executive of Harrogate International Festival, William Culver-Dodds, added: "Theakstons is a brand with a long and honourable tradition and is part of the fabric of Yorkshire, so we are thrilled that it has renewed its sponsorship with us for a further five years

"The Crime Writing Festival is an integral part of the wider Harrogate International Festival and has established itself as a highpoint in the literary calendar, in the UK and overseas."

The 2007 Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, Europe’s largest crime writing event, will be at the Crown Hotel, Harrogate from 19 – 22 July. It will once again open with the announcement of the winner of the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, the only literary award of its kind to be voted for by readers.

The celebration of crime and detective literature is now in its fifth year and always attracts a large and enthusiastic audience from around the world. Ticket sales have grown 84% in the last two years making it Europe’s largest Crime Festival.

Crime novels are one of the most popular and successful of literary genres and the Festival offers the opportunity for enthusiastic readers to meet and talk to favourite authors.