The Northern Area Licensing Sub Committee met on Wednesday 30 September 2026 to consider an application for a review of the premises licence for the iZambezi Festival. The committee decided to modify the conditions of the licence rather than revoke it, imposing a series of new requirements to ensure future events are managed more safely and effectively.

iZambezi Festival Premises Licence Review

The Sub Committee considered an application by Wiltshire Police to review the premises licence for the iZambezi Festival, held at Charlton Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire. Wiltshire Police had raised serious concerns about the organisers' ability to uphold the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

Decision: The Sub Committee determined to modify the conditions of the premises licence held by Walsona Group Ltd. The following conditions were imposed:

• The premises licence is reduced by one year, with 2027 designated as year one (maximum capacity 5,000) and 2028 as the second year (maximum capacity 10,000).
• An initial Event Management Plan must be submitted to the Licensing Authority at least 180 days before the event.
• The Premises Licence Holder must appoint an experienced event manager at least two weeks before the submission of the initial Event Management Plan.
• Key suppliers must be contracted at least 60 days before the event.
• A consolidated site-specific event risk assessment, covering build, live operation, and de-rig, must be part of the initial Event Management Plan.
• Clear documentary milestones for security/stewarding, medical and welfare, fire, traffic, water/sanitation, safeguarding, alcohol/drugs management, emergency command, and contractor interfaces must be agreed with the Licensing Authority.
• Early engagement must take place with the Police and other Responsible Authorities, with progress-review milestones agreed with the Licensing Authority.
• Clear attendance assumptions and scalable resource triggers must be in place.
• No building or public admission is permitted unless specified safety-critical documentation, confirmations, and sign-offs have been supplied to the Licensing Authority within the required timetable.

Consideration: Wiltshire Police, as the review applicant, highlighted significant deficiencies in the event planning for the festival scheduled for 15 August 2026. Concerns included the late submission of crucial safety documents, such as the security plan and alcohol management arrangements, which were described as skeletal drafts with many to be confirmed elements. Particular worry was expressed about the organisers' apparent lack of understanding of likely attendance levels, indicating a lack of control and effective planning. Safeguarding measures, such as Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) initiatives and the Ask for Angela scheme, were also areas where organisers showed unfamiliarity. While Wiltshire Police initially recommended revoking the licence, they proposed stringent additional conditions if the licence were to be retained.

Representations in support of the review were also made by the Principal Environmental Health Officer, who noted that a prohibition notice had been issued for the planned August 2026 festival due to concerns about emergency planning, medical provision, site access, and inadequate risk assessments. The Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service raised concerns about discrepancies between submitted plans and the site layout regarding evacuation and exit arrangements. The Principal Licensing Officer for Wiltshire Council emphasised the organisers' failure to comply with licence conditions regarding the timely submission of key documentation.

The Premises Licence Holder acknowledged missed deadlines and incomplete arrangements but argued that the concerns could be addressed through stronger licence conditions and the appointment of experienced professionals. They stated that lessons had been learned and that they were seeking specialist support for future events, remaining committed to delivering a safe festival. They requested that the licence be modified rather than revoked.

Reasons for the Decision: The Sub Committee gave significant weight to the evidence from the Responsible Authorities, noting the serious shortcomings identified by multiple agencies. They were particularly concerned by the repeated failure to provide key safety documentation within prescribed timescales. However, the Sub Committee acknowledged that the Premises Licence Holder had not had the opportunity to prove they could run a safe event and had agreed to a series of additional conditions. The imposed conditions, including the requirement for an early Event Management Plan submission, were deemed sufficient to provide adequate notice to Responsible Authorities to prevent an unsafe event from taking place in the future. The Sub Committee concluded that the Licensing Objectives could be promoted through these enhanced conditions, making revocation unnecessary at this time.

Right to Appeal: The applicant, any Responsible Authority, and any Interested Parties who made representations were informed of their right to appeal the decision to the Magistrates Court within 21 days of written notification.