The Licensing Sub-Committee met to consider an application from Enable Leisure & Culture for a new, time-limited premises licence for a two-day country music festival, Country on the Common, to be held at Tooting Common, Lido Field. The application sought permission for the sale of alcohol and provision of regulated entertainment. The Sub-Committee approved the recommendations, subject to call-in¹.

Country on the Common - Premises Licence Application

Enable Leisure & Culture applied for a premises licence to hold a two-day country music festival called Country on the Common at Tooting Common, Lido Field. The proposed event is a family-friendly event for up to 6,000 people per day, as part of Wandsworth’s London Borough of Culture 2025 programme. The application requested licensable hours from 12:00 to 22:30 on Saturday and 12:00 to 22:00 on Sunday for the sale of alcohol and regulated entertainment, including plays, films, live and recorded music, and dance performances.

Objections and Representations

The council received 17 objections and one letter of support from other persons regarding public nuisance, crime and disorder, and public safety. Concerns raised included:

• Noise from the event affecting residents in Wandsworth and Lambeth
• Potential for increased crime, including knife crime and public disorder
• Litter and mess on the Common
• Public urination and defecation
• Disruption to local residents

Friends of Tooting Common

The Friends of Tooting Common (FOTC) supported the event as a family-friendly community event for one weekend, particularly in the context of the Wandsworth Borough of Culture 2025 programme. However, they stressed the importance of mitigating potential adverse effects on the Common and other users. Their concerns included:

• Public safety risks due to the large number of visitors
• Potential damage to the ground, especially in wet weather
• Noise levels affecting local residents
• Disruption during set-up and take-down times

Metropolitan Police

The Metropolitan Police raised concerns about the prevention of crime and disorder. They requested additional conditions related to:

• CCTV coverage
• Use of glassware
• Event Safety Management Plan (ESMP)
• Security Industry Authority (SIA) registered supervisors
• Event search and screening
• Entry to premises
• Requirements for sealed liquid containers
• Accommodation limit
• Safety arrangements
• Access for emergency vehicles
• Staff training
• Conduct of premises

A supplementary email from the Metropolitan Police outlined amendments to the proposed conditions, including restricting the event to exclude the August Bank Holiday weekend. They also specified requirements for SIA registered supervisors, event search and screening, and entry to premises.

Environmental Services Officer (Noise)

The Environmental Services Officer raised concerns about the location, as it had not been used for an event of this size before. They were concerned about the impact on residents due to higher music levels and requested a condition requiring a post-event compliance report to be submitted to Environmental Health within four weeks after the event. Following further consultation, the applicant agreed to this condition, satisfying the Environmental Services Officer's concerns.

Applicant's Operating Schedule

Enable Leisure & Culture's operating schedule outlined steps to promote the four licensing objectives:

• General: Staff training, display of Ask for Angela and Ask for Clive posters², Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training³, and development of an Event Safety Management Plan (ESMP).
• Prevention of Crime and Disorder: Implementation of the ESMP, CCTV cameras, SIA registered door supervisors, drug and search policies, incident log, and a zero tolerance policy for illegal drugs.
• Public Safety: Crowd management plan, risk assessment, communication via two-way radio, medical operations plan, emergency plans, and a Challenge 25 scheme⁴.
• Prevention of Public Nuisance: Notices requesting patrons to respect local residents, telephone numbers for noise complaints, monitoring of generator plant noise, and a waste management plan.
• Protection of Children from Harm: A Lost Persons point, a lost and found children/vulnerable adult policy, and notices detailing restrictions on alcohol sales to children.

Conditions

The licence, if granted, would be subject to mandatory conditions laid down in the Licensing Act 2003, as well as conditions arising from the applicant's operating schedule. Suggested conditions arising from relevant representations included:

• Restriction to a time-limited two-day licence
• 24/7 CCTV operation
• No glassware permitted
• Full risk assessment considering the terrorist threat
• Regular weapons sweeps
• Security staff on duty at a ratio of 1:75 (SIA & Stewards to attendees)
• Controlled entry with search and screening
• Restrictions on bag size
• All liquids in sealed, tamper-proof containers
• System to monitor the number of persons on site
• Safety checks before admission
• Clear access for emergency vehicles
• Staff training for emergencies
• Notices requesting customers to respect local residents