Sarehole Festival – Application for entertainment licence

The Tolkien Society have made an application for a ‘premises’ licence for Sarehole Mill and Recreation Ground. The licence application, which covers entertainment but not alcohol, can be viewed here:

Izzy has written to the Police Licensing Officer and the Safety Advisory Group and has also contacted both the licensing agent and a representative of the Tolkien Society to discuss the application and concerns raised by local residents.

The Police Licensing Officer has confirmed a meeting has been held with the organisers and the following conditions agreed:

All licensable activity events will be subject to a SAG (or group of any other name)

• All licensable events will be subject to the premises licence holder producing an event safety manual (or any other name)

• The event safety manual and any recommendations of the SAG will become the premises licence operating conditions for that event.

• Licensable activity will be limited to 12 events per year. 2 of which may be events of no more than 3 days per event,  4 of which may be events of no more than 2 days per event. The other 6 will be 1 day only events.

• Events will not take place within an 8-day period of the last event.

The officer also confirmed:

West Midlands Police believe, after meeting with the applicant and talking through their business / event model,  the above conditions will meet and promote the licensing objectives.

As we are still in the representation period residents are still able to make representations to the application if they still believe any of the licensing objectives will be undermined, if this licence were to be granted.

There may also still be other responsible authorities that may still wish to contact the applicant or make representation on the application. Although I have had no communication from them.

The representative from the Tolkien Society clarified to Izzy that the licence application is to hold the two day Sarehole Festival they are planning on the recreation ground on the weekend of 30th and 31st May.

The Tolkien Society is very keen for this to be a family friendly event and to not negatively impact residents. The representative confirmed:

• The event will finish at 5pm each day
• There will be no alcohol sold or allowed on site.
• There will be no amplified music, it will be acoustic only
• A parking area will be on the field opposite the mill entrance on Cole Bank Road (this area has been used for parking at previous festivals)
• Stewards will to direct visitors on foot and to the car parking area. (Izzy has suggested some are stationed in Green Road and at the entrance to Millmead flats).
• There will be two toilet trailers
• There will be a skip for waste disposal and a litter pick at the end of each day.
• Visitors will be encouraged to use public transport or walk /cycle to the event.

 Izzy asked about further events. The Tolkien Society may consider a second event in the August bank holiday, but that is not confirmed. They do not plan any other events on the field, but it was recommended they include up to 12 in the licence application should they later on wish to hold small events such as themed school visits for example, at the mill.

Objections can be made to the licence application until Thursday 7th May. Objections should be sent to licensing@birmingham.gov.uk and refer to the four licensing objectives.

You can also send us any questions or concerns and we will be happy to contact the organisers further on your behalf.

Councillors Izzy & Philip