Event organisers fear the future of Thai food and craft festival

Organisers of a Thai food and craft festival fear the future of the event could be in jeopardy because of restrictions on alcohol sales.

Sue Mayne has held the charity event on Southsea’s Castle Field for the past two years – despite losing money because of bad weather.

This year Ms Mayne, who is also chairman of Thai Solent Society, shifted the event from July to August in the hope of having some sunshine on the day and wanted to sell Thai beer to attract more people.

But now the 64-year-old is facing another hurdle after Portsmouth City Council changed its licensing rules.

Instead of getting a one-off temporary event licence, organisers have to go through the lengthy process of obtaining a full premises licence for one-day events on Southsea Common and Castle Field – and even then could get refused.

Ms Mayne, who has run the Bangkok Cafe in Albert Road for 13 years, said: ‘I didn’t have this information and so didn’t have time to apply for a full licence, which takes a long time and costs money.

‘We don’t want people to have a lot to drink but we would like to be able to offer Thai beer, particularly if it is a sunny day.’

This year’s festival is taking place from 11am on Sunday and is meant to be bigger than ever before, with 17 food stalls, 15 craft stalls and music and dancing.

All the money raised will help the Thai Solent Society carry on its fundraising work. The group, set up around six years ago to promote and share Thai culture, raises money for good causes both locally and in Thailand.

Already it has given £10,000 to the Rocky Appeal for Queen Alexandra Hospital, £2,600 for an interactive white board in St Swithun’s School, Southsea, and raised £3,600 to help victims of the 2004 tsunami.

Ms Mayne added: ‘We hope people come, despite not having alcohol, because if we can get through this year then I can apply for a full licence next year.’

Lib Dem councillor Les Stevens, chairman of the licensing committee, said: ‘Unfortunately temporary event notices do not cover something like this because there can be no control over the number of people going. This was explained to Ms Mayne.’

FACT FILE

Portsmouth City Council used to issue Temporary Event Notices for the sale of alcohol for events held on Southsea Common. But TENs are limited to no more than 499 people attending the event.

Police advised the council TENs are not appropriate because of the potential size of events held on the common and Castle Field.

Organisers now need a full premises licence, which can cost around £1,000 depending on the scale of the event and number of people attending.

The change to the process was made in February last year by Drusilla Moody, the council’s tourism and events manager. The council says it allows for more control and accountability and meets licensing objectives of preventing public nuisance, crime and disorder.

Tags: charity event, Drusilla Moody, event licensing rules, full premises licence, Portsmouth City Council, Temporary Event Notices, Thai food and craft festival, Thai Solent Society

Category: Event Industry News