“If you were hoping for a rave on a snowy Thursday in January then we are very sorry to dash your hopes.”
Ryde Town Council (RTC) has tried to allay residents’ fears after submitting an application to hold events near Ryde Marina all year round.
In a licence application to the Isle of Wight Council, the town council is asking for permission to play films, live and recorded music as well as hold dance performances, Monday to Sunday, 9am to 11pm, at Eastern Gardens.
Taken on 125-year lease for the site
They also want to sell alcohol, every day from noon to 11pm, at the site on the Esplanade, which they have recently taken on under a 125-year lease.
If the licence were to be granted, RTC would like it to start on 1st August and say all staff would be trained; a telephone number would be displayed to deal with any issues from an event and door supervisors would be engaged.
Residents worried about “24/7 365 party venue”
Residents, however, say the licence would allow events to take place every day of the year from the morning until late at night, causing continued disturbances.
Taking to social media to address the uneasiness, RTC said a number of people were understandably worried about Eastern Gardens becoming a ’24/7 365 party venue’ but wanted to put everyone’s mind at ease it was not.
RTC: Events that would be benefit to the Ryde community
In a statement on its Facebook page, the town council said the premises licence would allow them to arrange and allow events they feel are of benefit to the Ryde community while being able to have a say in what happens at the gardens.
It says without the licence, everyone can apply to the IW Council for a temporary events notice, which takes time and money and is limited to 15 individual events, spanning no more than 22 days, a year.
Other events could be held
With larger events already happening, like Ticket to Ryde, IW Classic Car Show and IW Pride, the licence would also allow them to put on markets, children’s entertainment and daytime summer-themed events.
It says it believes there are enough late-night music events held at Eastern Gardens already and is not looking to increase them.
It said,
“We believe events at Eastern Gardens need the control that only a council based in the town can effectively provide.”
It could stipulate the level music is played at is kept to a lower, agreed level.
Won’t be holding raves every day of the year
It went on to say it understands in theory the licence would allow them to hold raves every day of the year, from 9am to 11pm, but they would not do so.
It said,
“If you are hoping for a local, responsible, inclusive and properly-managed approach to Eastern Gardens that takes into account local needs and creates a positive image then you are in luck.”
Have your say
The application (22/00901/LAPNEW) can be viewed on the IW council’s licensing portal.
Comments can be submitted until 27th July in writing to the council’s licensing section, Jubilee Stores, The Quay, Newport PO30 2EH.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
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