'We need outdoor events' say Brighton licensees

Brighton licensees held a meeting yesterday (Aug 1) to discuss the way forward for local tourism after the Fat Boy Slim concert.

Since the concert last month, which saw almost 200,000 more people than expected flock to the popular seafront leaving tonnes of rubbish and broken glass behind them, the council has postponed the dance event T4 and the Stella Screen film festival, because it said it could not guarantee public safety.

The council also said that it did not want to place unnecessary pressure on the local police and ambulance forces.

But licensees in the area want outdoor events to go ahead and have formed a group to ensure that their voice is heard. They are worried that if something isn't done to guarantee future events and public safety, the local economy will suffer badly.

Acting chairman of the Brighton & Hove Leisure, Entertainments and Culture Group (BHLECG) John Goldsmith of the Fringe Bar said that the new association would work closely with the local police, council, retailers and hoteliers to ensure events were better run in the future.

"We want to encourage events in Brighton," he said. "We are not against such events - we just want to make sure they are run properly and safely. We will work with the local police and council and other retailers in the town to try and ensure that events are successful in the future."

Despite the huge number of people attending the Fat Boy Slim concert, there were fewer arrests and fewer injuries than a typical Saturday night out in Brighton and the event generated a boost to the local economy, which had been suffering from a poor summer.

Related articles:​

More bad news for Brighton pubs (26 July 2002)

Future looks bleak for Brighton pubs (23 July 2002)

Fatboy Slim gig a hit with Brighton licensees (15 July 2002)