Council objecting to bid to stage German beer festival in Palmers Green, reports James Cracknell

*Broomfield Park and (inset) a toast at Oktoberfest*

A Palmers Green councillor has said she is “confident” a controversial German beer festival will not be staged in Broomfield Park – with Enfield Council now among those objecting to it.

Chris James, a newly-elected Labour councillor for Palmers Green and also an associate cabinet member, has written to local residents in an attempt to calm the furore over the proposed London Oktoberfest event.

The news that an events company was bidding for a licence to stage the festival in October caused anger among residents who argue that the event – with up to 8,000 attendees – is too big to be staged in the historic park and would pose a risk to public safety.

Cllr James has now intervened to say that she will be objecting to the licence application, which has yet to be debated by the council’s licensing committee.

The Labour councillor wrote: “I strongly share the concerns that residents and the Friends of Broomfield Park have expressed in respect to noise, anti-social behaviour, and impact to the environment.

“Alongside other local councillors in the immediate area of Broomfield Park, namely Palmers Green and Highfield wards, I object to this event going ahead.”

Cllr James said that because of the local concerns the council itself had written to events company Barbican Events Limited to urge the organiser to withdraw its bid to host London Oktoberfest at Broomfield Park.

However, if the application is not withdrawn, it must still be considered and voted on by the licensing committee.

London Oktoberfest tickets had been on sale but appear to have been withdrawn as the link from the Oktoberfest website now says: “This event is currently unavailable.”

Barbican Events Ltd could not be reached for comment.

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