Dorset councillors to hear two festival drinks licence bids
Two Dorset festivals will go before a licensing panel at County Hall on Tuesday May 5th as they seek drinks licences for summer events in the county. The hearings follow formal public concerns and will test whether the organisers have set out enough detail to meet licensing objectives.
Skyglow Festival is planned for the Dorchester Showground from July 3rd to the 5th. Don’t Panic Festival is planned for Stalbridge Recreation Ground from May 23rd to 25th, and both applications face questions over crime and disorder, public safety and the protection of children.
Skyglow Festival Dorchester
The Skyglow application covers live music up until 9.45pm and a request to sell alcohol on site between 4pm and 9.30pm on the Friday, noon and 9.30pm on Saturday, and noon and 7.30pm on Sunday. The event is also advertising hot air balloons subject to weather conditions.
The county’s Safety Advisory Group says it needs more details before it is persuaded that Nationwide Festivals can meet the licensing conditions. That leaves the Dorchester event with a specific operational hurdle before it can move ahead with the plan it has put to councillors.
Don’t Panic Festival Stalbridge
Don’t Panic Festival is being organised by Guggleton Farm Arts, a community interest company, as a tribute to Douglas Adams. Its weekend programme includes a Vogon Poetry Jam and an open-air showing of the film, followed on the 25th by a parade to unveil a Blue Plaque to the author at Lydden Cottage before a celebratory event on the nearby Recreation Ground.
The Stalbridge application seeks a Premises Licence to sell alcohol at the Recreation Ground for a limited period on the 25th, with sales requested only between noon and 6pm. The Safety Group has also raised reservations and is asking for more details and extra first aid cover.
County Hall hearing
Both organisers are expected to appear before Dorset councillors in County Hall on Tuesday May 5th. The panel will hear how each event plans to meet the licensing objectives, and the organisers say all the matters raised are being dealt with.
For festival-goers, the hearing is the point where the alcohol plans, and any conditions attached to them, are likely to be decided before the summer dates arrive.
