Councillors in Belfast have recently voted on proposals involving major music gigs and a “fire and food” festival at Botanic Gardens, sparking discussions about due diligence and event management within the council. The decisions came amidst concerns regarding the qualifications and operational status of the companies proposing the events.
The proposals, endorsed mainly by members of Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), included the staging of the "Botanic Summer Sessions." This event was set to comprise three significant music performances at the end of June, each expected to attract around 5,000 attendees. However, it emerged that CRD Live, the company behind the gigs, was under a compulsory strike-off order issued by Companies House, which suggests that the firm was believed to not be actively conducting business. The order was only lifted four days after the committee meeting, once necessary documentation had been submitted.
Tickets for one of the performances, featuring Portaferry singer-songwriter Ryan McMullan, had already begun to be sold prior to the clearance of CRD Live’s status. The event on June 28 remains actively promoted, with one customer reporting spending £150 for tickets for herself and her son. While McMullan was invited to comment, it was indicated that he was unaware of any underlying issues with the event’s organisation.
At a council meeting on May 1, concerns were raised regarding the potential disruption to park users and local residents, which would result from the events being stretched over approximately 35 days, including set-up and takedown. Consequently, councillors ultimately voted against moving forward with both the music events and the food festival.
The second proposal involved JKS Events requesting permission for a ten-day "fire and food BBQ festival" starting July 17, which would have led to disruptions in the park from July 7 through the end of the month. A small management consultancy registered in Ipswich in England shares the same name, but it remains unclear whether this company is involved in the festival's organisation.
Belfast City Council opted not to comment on the financial or business affairs of the companies involved. A council spokesperson stated that decisions were made based on concerns regarding the timing of the applications and the anticipated impact on the local community.
This episode highlights ongoing scrutiny regarding the management of events in public spaces and the need for thorough vetting of companies seeking to organise such gatherings, particularly those newly established or with questionable operational status.
Source: Noah Wire Services