Mumford Sussex show will go on (From The Argus)

Mumford Sussex show will go on

3:40pm Thursday 14th February 2013 in News By Emily Walker, Chief Reporter

A council boss has assured concert goers that a festival will go ahead – despite the event having no formal permission yet.

Thousands of tickets have already been sold for the Mumford and Sons concert in Lewes this summer, but local councillors and music fans have raised concerns that the two-day event could have to be dropped if organisers do not obtain permission for the festival.

A spokeswoman for Lewes District Council said a licensing application was expected to be submitted next week.

The festival is intended to be the Grammy award- winning band’s only UK performance and is expected to attract up to 25,000 people to the Convent Field in Mountfield Road, Lewes.

The band will have to apply for a public music event licence and for permission to sell alcohol.

Safety checks

Once the application is submitted, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and Sussex Police will be able to make comments.

If any concerns about safety are raised, councillors will decide whether the event should go ahead.

The council’s chief executive Jenny Rowlands said that it was not yet a “done deal” and that the band had chosen to sell tickets at their own risk.

However a council spokeswoman added: “We’re excited about the event and everything is in place and ready to deal with the licensing application, which is expected next week.

“The only unusual thing here is the sheer size and reputation of a Grammy award winning band, which may have caused a few people to get hot under the collar.”

'Shambolic council'

However, councillor Donna Edwards said she was “astonished” the local authority had announced the event and allowed tickets to go on sale before the organisers had even applied for licences.

Coun Edwards said: “I would love to welcome this prestigious band to Lewes. It would be a deeply upsetting to see the event fail because of the shambolic nature of the district council.

“Tickets have already gone on sale, yet Ms Rowlands has admitted that East Sussex County Council could still veto the event on safety grounds if the venue is not able to cope with the number of people who will want to access the site.

“What will happen then? Will the show be moved or simply cancelled?”

The organisers did not respond to The Argus about whether ticketholders would get refunds if permission was not granted.

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