A scheduled family festival in Princes Park this summer could lead to disorderly behaviour and crime and have an impact on swans, according to claims.
In July, the Far Away Land festival will arrive at Princes Park for a three-day family-focused event across four locations on site. An application for a premises licence by the event organisers has been made to Liverpool Council to allow for a series of activities and amusements, as well as the provision of alcohol.
The five-day licence application seeks permission to perform live and recorded music and dance at the popular public park, but a dozen residents have contacted the local authority making their opinions known about proposed alcohol sales and the staging of wrestling during the event. The events are staged in four hour slots in what the Far Away Land promoters describe as “fantastical family fun”.
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This is not a view shared by objectors to the plans, including one resident who said they oppose the licence being granted as they “believe that the sale of alcohol in a park will lead to a huge amount of disorderly behaviour, and crime.” The opponent added: “This is likely to take the form of inconvenience of people who would usually use the park normally, and will not be able to.
“Princes Park is a vital part of the community, which is a space that is open and free to access. Many people use it daily, particularly at the weekend.
“A ticketed event with alcohol licenses will lead to people behaving in a way that affects people's ability to enjoy the park peacefully. The presence of ticketed event in a park well-visited by local people will obstruct the public in their enjoyment of rights.
“Furthermore, the sale of alcohol in a park that is visited by many families who do not drink is inappropriate.” Another unnamed objector said: “Alcohol licence and boxing and wrestling would attract an audience unsuitable for a family park with potential for harm to children.”
Further responses included: “it's a peoples park...a place for relaxing recreation or community games. not hordes of drunk wrestling fans."
It was also claimed that the granting of a licence for the event would impact the wildlife that resides at Princes Park: “it's breeding season and our male swan is recently bereaved and grieving his dead female partner.
“Our baby goslings and baby coots and ducks need a peaceful environment. not wrestling and boxing bouts.”
Should the licence be granted when Liverpool Council’s licensing and gambling sub-committee meet later this month, it will run from 9am to 8pm Thursday to Monday. The event is being held from Friday July 1 - Sunday July 3.
No objections regarding the proposals have been made by Merseyside Police, environmental health or the licensing authority.
