Bedford Park Concerts get the go-ahead for next summer after councillors delayed decision

Members of the council's licensing committee have granted a licence for the 2021 Bedford Park Concerts after last week revealing they would decide what to do "within five working days".

Councillors had said in a meeting last week that because the event had increased from three days to four, all four days have to be a lower noise level.And the YouTube public meeting was switched off to allow councillors to go into a huddle.

But today, they revealed the event at Bedford Park can go ahead.

The organisers are already promoting the event for an Olly Murs concert on July 29, Cafe Mambo on July 30, and the Bedford Park Proms on August 1. The act for Saturday, July 31 is still to be announced.

Cllr Sarah Gallagher, licensing committee chair at Bedford Boroug Coujcil, said: “The Bedford Park Concerts bring enjoyment and excitement to thousands, and having carefully considered the application and all contributions we are pleased to approve the return of this major event in 2021.

"The decision comes with appropriate conditions which both protect local residents from potential adverse impacts and enable the organisers to once again put on a successful series of concerts.

“This is an incredibly tough time for the events and arts sectors, and it’s a time when people are looking forward to occasions when they can once again get together in numbers and enjoy live entertainment.

"It’s important we are supportive of events and culture locally, where there is evidence that they will be safe and successful and especially where there is a track record of this, as in the case of the application for the 2021 Bedford Park Concerts.”