Plans for an event in a Workington park has attracted a number of objections from its neighbours.
Over the Rainbow CIC want to hold the event in the town’s Vulcan Park – Workington’s first ever Pride – on April 25.
But people living around the park have objected to the plans because of fears over drinking and anti-social behaviour.
The community interest company has applied for a licence to hold the event and it will be considered by Cumberland Council’s licensing sub-committee next Tuesday.
The event would have enclosed bar areas, stage/performance area and space for stalls and food vendors.
But Lesley Hamilton, of Park Lane, objected and said the area already has issues with unruly teenagers drinking in the park.
She said the application was to sell alcohol between noon and 7pm and added: “So to actually supply alcohol for this length of time is absolutely ridiculous. The park is large so why is the stage frequently set up opposite residents. I cannot understand.”
In a redacted objection, one resident said the area was subject to incidents of vandalism, fighting and anti-social behaviour from groups of young people drinking in the park.
They added: “We believe Vulcan Park to be totally unsuitable for this kind of event and there are other places in town they could hold it.
“There is no way that hundreds of young adults drinking alcohol for seven hours are going to go home quietly once the music stops and how safe are the children using the playground going to be?”
Mr and Mrs Graham from Queen Street also felt the area was prone to young people drinking and anti-social behaviour.
The applicant said alcohol would only be provided within a contained bar area during the course of the event. Staff would be trained and the Challenge 25 policy would be in operation for customers to prevent underage alcohol sales.
An event management plan would be submitted a minimum of 20 weeks before the festival date and SIA Security would be employed throughout the event.
Cumbria police has raised no objections.
Mediation discussion were attempted with the interested parties, but all felt their representations should be considered by the regulatory sub-committee.
