The Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee of Newham Council met on Tuesday 05 May 2026 to consider an application for a new premises licence for the Radiate Festival. The meeting was adjourned and reconvened later.

Radiate Festival Premises Licence Application

The Sub-Committee considered an application for a new premises licence for Beckton District Park South, Stansfeld Road, Beckton, E6 5LT, submitted by Radiate Festival Ltd. The application sought to allow the supply of alcohol, and the provision of plays, films, indoor sporting events, boxing or wrestling, live music, recorded music, dance, and other similar licensable activities, daily from 09:00 to 23:00.

Representations were made against the application by Highways & Sustainable Transport, citing concerns regarding the prevention of public nuisance. The Council Licensing Team also made representations on the grounds of crime and disorder, prevention of public nuisance, public safety, and the protection of children from harm.

Key concerns raised by the Licensing Team included:

• Capacity Discrepancies: The application documents contained conflicting information regarding the maximum capacity of the premises, with some sections stating 4,999 attendees and others referencing up to 9,999. The Licensing Team stressed that the licence was applied for at 4,999 and could not be exceeded without a formal variation.
• Temporary Event Notices (TENs): The Event Management Plan (EMP) referenced the use of TENs for alcohol sales, but the Licensing Team noted that TENs at this location are limited to a maximum capacity of 499 people per notice and that multiple TENs would be difficult to manage and control within the park setting.
• Operating Times and Special Events: Concerns were raised about proposed operating times for sunrise events in the EMP, which appeared to differ from the times applied for in the licence.
• Transport and Parking: The reliance on the DLR for attendee dispersal was questioned, given potential capacity issues and reduced service frequency. Concerns were also raised about on-street parking on Stansfeld Road and the safety implications of on-site car parks being separated by a public pathway.
• Alcohol Sales: Clarification was sought on the types and strengths of alcohol to be sold, dispensing methods, and the management of off-sales to prevent congregation and continued drinking after the event. The use of glass bottles and self-pouring of spirits was also highlighted as a concern.
• Event Management Plan (EMP): The EMP was noted to contain inconsistencies and references to capacities and activities that did not align with the current licence application. Updates were requested to ensure all references matched the 4,999 capacity and to provide more detail on specific events, waste management, and medical provision.

The applicant, Radiate Festival Ltd, provided responses and clarifications to these points, agreeing to update the EMP to reflect the 4,999 capacity and to condition the licence to restrict off-sales to farmers' market events only. They also committed to providing updated site plans and detailed security and waste management plans. The applicant stated that they understood the responsibility for upholding the four licensing objectives and that third-party alcohol vendors would only be permitted for specific market or festival events, with their own named DPS and adherence to the same guidelines.

The Sub-Committee was asked to hear the application and determine it, taking into account the representations made. The meeting was adjourned to allow for further clarification and potential updates to the application and EMP.