One of the UK's biggest concert promoters has launched plans to hold a huge live music event on playing fields in Wilmslow. Manchester-based SJM has lodged a premises licence application for the Jim Evison Playing Fields in the Cheshire town.
The site is currently used mainly for local sport groups and for Wilmslow Town football club. Now the promoters have made an application to council bosses to stage events over two days in the summer, which could host "up to 25,000 people" on the fields.
SJM is behind some of the biggest live events in recent living memory in the region - including the comeback of Take That, the Stone Roses, Peter Kay and promoting huge shows from the likes of Coldplay, Muse and the Spice Girls. The application has naturally fuelled major speculation in Wilmslow about what is being planned for the playing fields, off Altrincham Road.
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The application was submitted to Cheshire East Council on December 15, reports Cheshire Live. It seeks permission to hold a number of activities, namely films, live music, recorded music and 'performance of dance'.
It also proposes to hold events of 'a similar description' and to supply alcohol. The times at which the events are proposed to be held are Friday - Saturday from 4pm to 10.30pm at some point in the summer.
An image with the application shared on a community group shows that a concert for an audience of up to 25,000 spectators could be held at the site. The last date for submitting comments was Thursday (January 12) last week.
The full notice of the premises licence application reads: "Notice is hereby given that we, SJM Limited have applied on 15th December 2022 to Cheshire East Council in respect of the premises known as Jim Evison Playing Fields, Altrincham Road, Wilmslow, SK9 4LY for a premises licence to provide the following licensable activities:
"Films, Live Music, Recorded Music, Performance of Dance, Provision of Anything of a similar description to Live Music, Recorded Music or Performance of Dance, Supply of Alcohol – Friday – Saturday – 16:00 – 22:30."
The site off Altrincham Road is usually used by sports clubs and is the home of Wilmslow Town Football Club, one of the largest junior football clubs in Cheshire.
Wilmslow has a close connection with modern music as it was where The 1975 originally formed back in 2002. They are currently one of the country's most successful pop groups, with five UK number one albums, and will head to Manchester's AO Arena for a sold-out gig on Friday night.
SJM has a wealth of experience in creating live outdoor events and festivals - and is behind the Neighbourhood Weekender Festival in Warrington's Victoria Park that has become the biggest indie festival in the north west. It returns in May 2023 at the park with headliners including Pulp, The Kooks and Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott.
SJM Concerts has been contacted for more information on the premises licence application.
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