Plans to launch an open-air festival centred around a temporary roller rink in Centenary Square in two weeks time have been postponed until next year.

The two-week-long Skatefest event, planned to start on August 14, has been delayed until 2011 as council officials seek closer involvement with organisers Bloomango.

Marcia Blackwood, events director for Bloomango, said she was disappointed at the last-minute change of plan.

“I absolutely understand that the council want more time to organise things from its end and I am glad that officers have already scheduled meetings to ensure that there are no further delays, but it is very upsetting to get so close to launch day and have to withdraw,” she said.

“We’ve had a lot of support from many quarters – from sports stars, DJs, dance troupes and entertainers who had committed to perform during the festival, from local fire and police officers and from interested sponsors including Maserati.

“Thankfully this has happened before their sponsorship collateral was in production. For the most part, everyone involved has been very understanding and pledged to continue support next year,” she added.

The Bloomango team had invested months of planning and thousands of pounds into planning the event, including paying in advance to secure the rink.

“Unfortunately, these things do happen, but the council is already making plans to make the delayed event even more spectacular with us – our first meeting is early next month. It does give us more time to secure even more weighty support and there will be numerous opportunities for Birmingham businesses to get involved when their new marketing budgets and strategies are put in place,” she said.