Plans for events organised by a Workington LGBTQ group can go ahead after an application for a licence was approved this week.
Members of a licensing sub-committee from Cumberland Council considered the matter at the Civic Centre in Carlisle today.
Over The Rainbow Support CIC want to hold a Workington Pride event at Vulcan Park on April 24 next year as well as community events at the site.
Organiser M-Jay Fulton told members there would be a maximum of three events a year with 700 people expected at April’s Pride event.
Neighbours of the park objected to the plans – because the group wanted to sell alcohol and they were concerned about anti-social behaviour.
After a short period of deliberation Jeanette Whalen (Yewdale, Labour), the sub-committee chairwoman, told M-Jay that they had decided to grant the licence subject to mandatory conditions.
She said it was felt necessary for the promotion of the licensing objectives and which address concerns raised by objectors.
She added: “Also, we recommend that, when submitting the event management plan, consideration is given to the number of police in attendance and that you also work with the police to check the availability of sniffer dogs.
“And you also look at the details of the critical location control point and the availability of first aid assistance at the event and that concludes our decision and we will be sending out a letter to you to confirm these points.”
The event will have enclosed bar areas, a stage/performance area and space for stalls and food vendors.
A submission from the applicant said that alcohol would only be provided within a contained bar area during the course of the event.
The licence owner has confirmed that they would provide an event management plan a minimum of 20 weeks before the festival date and it is understood that the free Pride event costs between £10,000 and £15,000 to put on.
In addition, according to the application, SIA Security would be employed throughout the event.
