Chelmsford city racecourse faces licensing review
Essex Police have raised concerns on the grounds of crime disorder and public safety
Last updated 12th Aug 2025
Chelmsford city racecourse is facing a review of its licence following concerns from Essex Police on the grounds of crime disorder and public safety.
The application for a review of the licence comes after concert goers were stranded for hours trying to get home from a Justin Timberlake gig.
Organisers Chelmsford City Live offered a “sincere apology” after many experienced long delays and traffic chaos after Justin Timberlake’s concert on Friday July 4.
The American singer opened the three-day music festival, which Duran Duran and Olly Murs also headlined over the weekend.
But, the opening night of the festival in front of 24,000 people was marred by chaotic scenes as drivers tried to leave Chelmsford City Racecourse on the outskirts of Chelmsford.
Now Essex Police has asked for a review of the licence on the grounds of concerns of the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and the prevention of public nuisance.
The consultation period finishes on Tuesday August 12, and the premises licence will be determined at a review hearing after Chelmsford city council members have considered all representations.
A spokesman said: “Following issues faced by people attending recent events at Chelmsford City Racecourse a review of the premise’s licence is being carried out.”
Social media users claimed they were stuck in the car park for hours when trying to leave the event last month, with one eyewitness noticing a car driver dancing in the car park as they waited in stationary traffic.
Concert goers shared how leaving the venue caused stress at the end of an otherwise enjoyable night.
A spokesperson for Chelmsford racecourse said at the time: “We’ve consistently demonstrated a commitment to operating within the parameters of our licence, with robust measures in place to ensure safety, compliance, and responsible event management. We look forward to working alongside local authorities in how to continue effectively delivering great events within our existing conditions.”
An application has been submitted for 2.84 hectares of land north of the racecourse between the A131 and Blackley Quarry to be temporarily laid with a hardstanding surface to be used for parking over the next three years before a more permanent solution can be created, likely at Blackley Quarry itself.
A statement from Chelmsford City Racecourse said: “Under general permitted rights, we are able to use this land as an overflow car park, adjacent to our hardstanding purpose-built car park, for up to 28 days per year. This area is grassed and used for a number of events throughout the year, such as Ladies Day and Chelmsford City Live.
“We wanted to improve the surface of this area, to improve the visitor experience for events, particularly in the winter months, such as our annual Firework display, etc, so in June we submitted a planning permission for ‘additional hardstanding’ to provide a more weatherproof surface.”
A planning statement from agent Moulsham Hall Estates added: “A permanent increase in car parking capacity will be sought elsewhere within the racecourse estate and likely within Blakely Quarry. However, due to the restoration condition and planning process required to deliver this, an intermediate solution is required to enable live events to take place in the next three years. This is exemplified by the debut of Chelmsford City live in July 2025, a three-day live music event hosting Justin Timberlake, Duran Duran and Olly Murs as headline acts and up to 60,000 visitors.”
It added: “The proposed temporary car park will provide essential short-term capacity to support events at Chelmsford City Racecourse. It is a proportionate and appropriate solution that balances operational needs of planning and environmental considerations.”