Cumbria-based independent arts and music festival Solfest could be pulled at the last minute, after police demanded an 11th hour review of the event’s license.
According to News and Star, the local police force claims that Solfest has breached the license by failing to provide a sufficiently detailed event management plan.
In a report, Superintendent Gary Slater: “It is the submission of Cumbria Constabulary that the event organisers are unable to satisfy the event safety group or the constabulary that they have the plans, capacity and capability to maintain public safety, protect children from harm, prevent crime and disorder and prevent public nuisance.”
The report also mentioned “a number” of incidents and issues which gave cause for concern at last year’s event.
Tom Kay, director of the festival, said: “I’m disappointed that Cumbria Constabulary is objecting to our application after they were happy with the conditions of the licence earlier this year.
“I’m confident we’ll be able to satisfy any request to prove our capability and competence in delivering a safe event, like we’ve been doing for over a decade.”
A licensing panel will meet next Monday, August 22 to decide the fate of the festival, just days before it is due to open.
