Oktoberfest events planned for Portsmouth will not go ahead due to coronavirus fears

The owners of Clarence Pier, in Southsea, had been looking to host a 'family-friendly' German beer festival over three weekend occasions in October.

They would have been held within the boundary of the amusement park, after the Solent Wheel is removed, with capacity for up to 75 people.

However, following a licensing committee meeting today, councillors decided not to grant temporary event notices to allow them to go ahead.

As part of the committee's decision they said: ‘This is an unprecedented and highly unusual climate with a pandemic posing considerable risks and the staging of an Oktoberfest event, in this location - even if restricted in the terms outlined, is considered very likely to undermine the crime and disorder objective and thereby present a risk to public safety.

‘In addition, the sub-committee could not ignore the risks to transmission of the virus if the event were allowed to proceed.

‘This is a time when there is a significantly increased infection rate and those under the influence are at increased risk of vulnerability to transmission of the virus.’

Hampshire Constabulary had objected to the events ahead of the meeting.

Speaking to the committee PC Jason Pearce said: ‘Police have said the events are not suitable at the current time and the many associated risks related to coronavirus.

‘This is not just a family event, it's an adult event in the evening and however you look at that we all know what an Oktoberfest event is. German beer, festivities, singing, drinking and dancing don't fit with coronavirus.’

But speaking on behalf of the applicants Clarence Pier and Blackstar Live Ltd, John Thurston, said: ‘Yes my company does have pandemic experience around the country - it has been holding drive-in events and circus events that all come under outdoor events.

‘We are happy to remove the evening so it's purely a family day time event. We are happy to do so and reduce the opening hours to finish at 6pm and no later on any evening.’

The applicants have the right to appeal the decision.

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