Harbourside festival clears final hurdle

THIS summer’s Bristol Harbour Festival has cleared its final hurdle after councillors approved a licence for Queen Square despite concerns about noise.

One resident objected to the application by the festival’s new organisers Proud Events, which won a four-year contract from Bristol City Council last October to run it.

The company had already been granted premises licences for alcohol sales, live music and dance at Lloyds Amphitheatre, College Green and Thekla car park from 11am to 10pm on Wednesday, July 17, to Sunday, July 21, because there were no objections.

But a neighbour made representations about the events taking place in Queen Square so a licensing sub-committee hearing was held at City Hall on Thursday, May 9.

Proud Events managing director Harry Feigen said they requested the extra days in case the festival expanded in future but that this year there would be entertainment at the amphitheatre and Millennium Square on the Friday and across all the sites over the weekend, ending at 6pm on Sunday.

However, Queen Square homeowner Janet Wilson told the panel: “This is something that could creep in a massive gig for 10,000 people by the back door.

“I am massively concerned. We have been tricked before with events in Queen Square based on misleading information.

“Having amplified music until 10pm is too much. It is totally unacceptable.”

In January, councillors approved an application for outdoor concerts at Queen

Square for up to 15,000 fans despite opposition from dozens of locals.

The gigs are set to be held from Friday to Sunday, August 9 to 11.