Lambeth Council has cancelled the Country Show in Brockwell Park as it faces mounting budget pressures.
Questions had been raised over the legality of major events in Brockwell Park — including Mighty Hoopla, Field Day and Wide Awake — after the council lost a High Court challenge in May. A judge ruled the events exceeded the permitted 28 days allowed under temporary change-of-use rules.
Although the council initially vowed to appeal the decision, with a Court of Appeal hearing due in December, it has now chosen not to contest the ruling. Instead, it confirmed it would cancel the Lambeth Country Show.
It is understood that removing the two-day show brings the remaining Brockwell Live events within the 28-day limit, although a full planning application will now be submitted.
In a statement Lambeth Council said financial pressures were the main driver behind the decision. . Aside from children’s festival Brockwell Bounce, the Lambeth Country Show was the only major free event in the Brockwell Live programme, and its cancellation is expected to save the authority more than £1 million.
Cllr Donatus Anyanwu, Lambeth’s cabinet member for stronger communities, said: “We know that many residents will be very disappointed that the Lambeth Country Show cannot continue in 2026, and I share their disappointment. Unfortunately, the increased costs in recent years mean the council would need to fund over £1million to run the two-day event.
“When we are reviewing every area of council spending to meet our budget gap, including vital services, we cannot take a decision that would prioritise this event above statutory services for the most vulnerable in our community. Protecting services for those who most need it means difficult but necessary choices like this.
“The proposals for next year balances the desire to hold these important events which bring joy to hundreds of thousands of people and celebrates our borough’s diverse culture, with reducing the total number of event days to lessen the impact on local people.
“We are also committed to continuing our investment in our parks to ensure they remain as brilliant assets for our communities.”
The council lost the original case in May after activist Rebekah Shaman, from the Protect Brockwell Park campaign group, challenged its decision to grant a temporary change-of-use certificate for the events.
Under permitted development rules, land can only be used for non-permitted purposes for up to 28 days per calendar year.
High Court judge Mr Justice Mould ruled in Ms Shaman’s favour, finding that parts of Brockwell Park would be used as event space for more than 28 days and that the council’s decision had been “irrational”.
A fresh planning application will now be submitted for the remaining Brockwell Live events to take place in 2026, with a public consultation process to follow.
A Brockwell Live spokesperson said: “Brockwell Live has been proud to play a role in the Lambeth Country Show since 2023. Being involved has been a genuine joy for our team, and we’ll miss the eclectic programme it brought to the series.
“Brockwell Live 2026 will feature four festivals across two weekends, with a planning application submitted in line with Lambeth Council’s requirements. These routine frameworks ensure events like Brockwell Live can take place responsibly and with consideration for Brockwell Park and its neighbours, while contributing to London’s cultural landscape.”
Protect Brockwell Park and Lambeth Council have been approached for comment.
