VIP party restricted at Celtic Rock show (From Western Telegraph)

VIP party restricted at Celtic Rock show

4:21pm Wednesday 12th July 2006 in

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Opening hours and music at a VIP area of the Celtic Blue Rock Festival in Llanfyrnach were restricted this week on crime and disorder grounds.

The applicant, Donna Harding, from Narberth, applied for a Temporary Events Notice for regulated music, the sale of alcohol and late night refreshment from 6pm until 3am at the backstage area on Friday, August 4th and Saturday 5th, and from 2pm on the 5th until 5am on Sunday, August 6th, for up to 400 people.

This was refused by Pembrokeshire County Council's licensing committee over concerns highlighted by the police that there was no indication of how the organisers intend to ensure that only 400 people out of the 2,000 estimated festival goers will be given access to the backstage area.

During the meeting, Sgt Dave Mallin and Community Safety Officer Max Bevan, voiced concerns under the crime and disorder objective about the number of people involved, the length of time over which they plan to sell alcohol and how security will be maintained.

The festival, which already has a full premises licence, will cater for an estimated 3,000 people until midnight.

Police said it would be very difficult for the five doormen backstage to halt the flood of people trying to get into the VIP area.

The committee decided the sale of alcohol should finish at 2am, music should stop at midnight and late refreshments should last until 3am.