Oktoberfest Chichester has received a licence from the district council to play music and sell alcohol – two days before the event is due to start.
Members of the licensing sub-committee granted a permanent premises licence to Bavaria Events Ltd during a meeting on Wednesday (September 30).
This will allow the festival to be held for two consecutive days each year – starting with this weekend’s event at Westgate Fields, which will run from 5pm to 11pm on Friday (October 2) and 12pm to 11pm on Saturday (October 3).
The Oktoberfest is expected to attract around 1,500 people throughout the weekend.
The premises licence will allow live and recorded music to play inside and out from opening to closing times, and alcohol to be sold for consumption on the site until half an hour before closing.
The council received 20 letters objecting to the licence and one of support from host Chichester College Group.
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A letter from Mark Forder, director of commercial services at the college group, expressed confidence in Bavaria Events Ltd to deliver professionally managed events.
He wrote: “We are satisfied that appropriate measures can be put in place to promote the licensing objectives, including the prevention of crime and disorder, public nuisance and risks to public safety.”
He added: “Such events contribute positively to the vibrancy of the city and support engagement between the college and the wider community.”
Objections largely centred around noise and alcohol concerns, as well as the fact that the festival will be held across the river from the Marriott House Care Home and the flats in Toll House Close, which are largely occupied by older people.
Writing on behalf of the West Walls Residents’ Association, chair Denise Hollingbery said: “We do not believe that the likely noise pollution, disturbance and concentration of up to 1,500 people is appropriate for such a sensitive site.
“We also believe that areas neighbouring the proposed site are likely to experience a substantial degree of public nuisance or disorder as the crowds leave the event each night, having been drinking possibly for many hours.”
Bavaria Events Ltd worked with Sussex Police and agreed a number of conditions to ensure the festival would run in line with the four licensing objectives – prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm.
For more information about Oktoberfest, log on to www.oktoberfestchichester.co.uk.
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