Music Festival in Jeopardy Due to License Issues
The Cheltenham Tribute Festival, scheduled to take place on August 30th at the Cheltenham racetrack, is facing potential cancellation due to licensing problems. The festival, which will feature tribute acts from popular artists such as Queen, The Killers, and Dua Lipa, has already sold tickets, but it lacks a crucial evacuation license.
Festival Details
The event is planned to run from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will include a range of activities, such as live and recorded music, alcohol sales, street food stands, rides, and craft stalls. The organizers have applied for permission to play music and supply alcohol, but the application is still pending.
Concerns Raised by Authorities
Environmental protection officers from Cheltenham Borough Council and neighboring Tewkesbury Borough Council have expressed concerns about the potential impact of the festival on the local area. They have cited the risk of "significant public nuisance" and highlighted the lack of provision for noise monitoring outside the festival site. The officials are also worried about public safety, crowd control, water supply, and child protection.
Safety Concerns
The Senior Environmental Health Officer of Cheltenham Borough Council has raised specific concerns about the festival plans, including the lack of a detailed plan for separating vehicles and pedestrians on site. The officer has also pointed out that there is no clear method for ensuring safe entry and exit of vehicles and pedestrians during the build-up and the event itself. This could lead to a risk of vehicle collisions.
Licensing Decision Pending
The licensing subcommittee of the Council will review the proposals at a meeting on August 28th, just two days before the scheduled festival date. The organizers of the festival have been contacted for comment, but it remains to be seen whether the event will be able to go ahead as planned. The fate of the Cheltenham Tribute Festival hangs in the balance, leaving ticket holders and fans of the tribute acts uncertain about whether they will be able to enjoy the event.
