Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Organisers of one of the largest eco-festivals in England say the event is in danger of collapsing as the new Licensing Act is putting extra financial pressures on the festival.

The Big Green Gathering, held in Somerset for the last 14 years, is facing an uncertain future.

The new act, which was created to put public safety, child protection and the prevention of crime at the heart of the licensing process, has caused extra financial pressures on festivals.

Organiser Brig Oubridge said the act has added an extra Β£120k to the Big Green Gathering's costs, leaving them with a loss of Β£80k. In the last year, security has accounted for a third of their overall costs and their road marshalling bill has risen from Β£5k to over Β£23k.

"We’re an event which has no trouble and receives no complaints from local residents. It’s beyond a joke. It’s threatening to pull us into bankruptcy and it’s having a similar effect on the whole festival scene," said Brig.

Security costs a third of the overall BGG budget

"The licensing act is at fault because you can’t take every form of entertainment and bung it all into one act which is actually designed for pubs and clubs. Different festivals have different management. Things have to be kept in proportion."

The government defended the legislation, arguing that public safety is paramount and that the act can cope with different types of events.

Brig said he would like to see the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Office work on an amendment with the festival organisers.

Eavis has been organising Glastonbury for 37 years

Good for Glastonbury

Glastonbury Festival organiser Michael Eavis said the licensing act did not have an impact on him, as he had already implemented the extra measures such as increased security.

He said the new act made it easier and cheaper for him as it meant he did not have to apply for a license every year.

"You've got to make sure the event is going to appeal to people so that you can charge enough to cover the costs of it and if you can’t provide an occasion or an event that is going to sell a lot of tickets then you’re going to lose money," he said.

There are 10 festivals in the Mendip district

And Mendip District Council, which authorised the Gathering and insisted on the extra security, agreed.

Charles Uzzell, director of planning and environment, said: "In 2006, the gathering was subject to high number of fence jumpers going over other people's land, heightening the fear of crime.

"I understand they have financial difficulties but this is not the fault of the act or the bodies involved."

Mendip has a relatively large number of events. Last year the council awarded 10 licenses which was a lot for an area of its size.

Ashton Court festival cancelled

Charles said the Big Green Gathering was the only event that he knows of to be in financial difficulties. However, in Bristol, the Ashton Court festival was cancelled and St Paul's carnival was delayed so that the changes the act required could be implemented.

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