Bath Reggae Festival approved despite safety concerns
Organisers have been criticised for their "last-minute approach" and for "lacking basic information" in their application
Last updated 20th Aug 2021
More than 2,000 music fans are set to come together for the inaugural Bath Reggae Festival despite concerns for public safety.
Organisers VIP Production still have some hurdles to get over by noon today (Friday, August 20) before the licence is officially rubber stamped for the event on Saturday.
They were criticised for their last-minute approach and lacking basic information in the application, making it “extremely difficult” for Bath and North East Somerset Council.
The go-ahead comes after councillors were advised last week that the best way to protect the public was to prevent the festival going ahead.
The organisers have assured ticket holders that it will be safe.
Senior environmental health officer Sara Chiffers told the licensing subcommittee today (August 19): “We’ve had extensive dialogue with the organisers about elements of the event management plan that were unclear, contradictory.
“It’s not just about what’s written – it’s about how confident we feel.
“This has been quite a long, drawn out process. It’s been very difficult.
“We don’t expect to have to ask for basic things like the opening and closing times, the demographics.”
Ms Chiffers said officers only got details of the stage yesterday, when they also learned that there will only be one food vendor, and warned that could cause “unrest” in the audience.
She raised concerns about emergency access and was unclear whether the organisers were expecting 1,500 guests or nearly 5,000 until Romain Peterkin confirmed there would be up to 2,500 tickets available, with 250 on the day.
Ms Chiffers added: “I really do have concerns over the competency of the management.”
Mr Peterkin said VIP Production had run a successful festival in Huddersfield for the last three years, most recently last weekend, and was bringing it to Bath.
VIP ticket holders have paid up to ÂŁ143 to meet and greet artists on the lineup including Maxi Priest, Aswad, Big Mountain and Wayne Wonder, with standard tickets going for ÂŁ45.
“We abide by what the local council says to make sure the event is safe for everybody.”
He said a “gentleman’s agreement” had been struck with seven food vendors but with fears of another lockdown or the need for Covid passports to get into events, most did not want to commit. The organisers are now allowing ticket holders to bring their own food.
VIP Production applied to hold the festival one day every August but was only awarded a licence for Saturday, allowing the site to open from 10am until 11.30pm.
Permission will be withheld if the organisers fail to get final details signed off by the council by noon tomorrow.
Subcommittee chair Rob Appleyard said: “Can I stress how fine the decision was?
“We’ve picked up on the huge frustration on the timing of your application.
“There was a lot of stuff that was needed. It’s been a bit difficult for us to be supportive, as much as we would’ve wanted.
“We welcome you as an event. It’s part of the culture of Bath to do that. We want you to play your part.
“Have a good event. Please make it successful and safe.”
Speaking after the meeting, the firm’s production manager, who declined to give his name, said: “We’re happy the council wanted the event to go ahead. We did a very similar event a week ago that went down a storm and no doubt this will as well.
“There have been some hurdles along the way. Anyone who thought there wouldn’t be after a global pandemic is crazy.
“That we managed to put on one festival is a testament to the organisers, let alone two in the last two weeks. That should give audiences reassurance it will be safe and well thought out.
“I think the highlight will be seeing a big group of diverse human beings celebrating music together. This is what music does.”