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Harnessing the aims of Durham as a major venue
Wednesday 16 April 2008
Following an initial report to Cabinet in April 2007 work has been continuing to finalise a new City Centre Premises Licence with the agreement of other city centre land owners.
Today's Cabinet meeting agreed the area coverage for the licence that will help to protect the historic core when providing and promoting properly regulated, planned, quality events in the streets, squares and public places of the City centre.
Tracey Ingle, Head of Cultural Services said,
"The licence helps us support better events in the City
centre by helping event organisers. By using the new
licence we can give permission to venues to regulate
entertainment, to provide refreshments and control
alcohol supply, so it covers everything from the
performance of a play or live music and dance.
"The Durham Miners' Gala will be one of the first events to benefit from this new licence and its new operating schedule. There are a host of events being planned for the summer months that will also benefit from a more regulated regime."
The Durham City Vision Events team has been the key
driver in developing the licence and operating schedule
and they are equally committed to developing the
potential for the city centre to host more high profile
events. Suzy O'Hara Sheader, Events Support Officer
said,
"This is a really important step change for Durham and
signals to outside promoters who might want to bring a
big event to the City that we know what's required to run
an event safely and without causing a nuisance. The Jools
Holland concert in Durham last July piloted the operating
procedures of the licence and everyone had a great time
with no problems for the Police."
Recommendations in the report also include the Head of
Cultural Services and agreed deputies as the Designated
Premises Supervisor when licences include the sale of
alcohol. The Safety Advisory Group will be asked to
provide appropriate training and advice to make sure that
mitigation measures are in place prior to any event being
held.