Decision

Taste Cumbria September 2023 and Taste Cumbria Christmas 2023.

Decision to hold the events on the Highway in accordance with Section 16A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the Council’s Market licensing policy and the delegated authority as laid out in the Cumberland Council’s constitution.

Alternative options considered

Option to hold the event on private land

The event cannot be held on private land, due to its size. There is no single space off the highway that could accommodate all of the activity that is accessible to wheelchair users, those with mobility issues or prams with safe access. Use of other car parks would cause traffic chaos as well as health and safety issues including the high risk of mixing large numbers of people with vehicles within the town as well as the layout of other car parks that do not lend themselves to ensuring that a 4m sterile route for emergency access is maintained.

Option to host a smaller event or cancel

The event has been running for 14 years and brings almost £2m to the local economy. Reducing the size of the event or cancellation would have serious reputational issues for the Council, in addition to creating a significant loss of income for local businesses and the local economy.