Kent Police has objected to a temporary event licence for a poetry night in Margate.
New health and juice venue the beet bar, at 25 High Street by the Market Place car park, has asked for the licence for acoustic music and to serve alcohol for music and poetry events during the Margate Soul Festival next month..
Kataru Nuru, from the beet bar, has asked to be able to provide alcohol, entertainment and late-night refreshment from August 3-6 between 10am and 11pm each day.
The Margate Soul Festival poetry event at the venue will run on the dates between 2pm and 6pm.
The maximum number of people expected at the bar during the events is 45.
But Kent Police has objected to the application.
New this year at #MSFest2017 is our Spoken Word activity. If you want to take part in the poetry slam email neanderthalbard@gmail.com pic.twitter.com/GsErsbWZAy
— MargateSoulFestival (@MSFestHQ) July 25, 2017
‘Serious problems’
Chief Inspector Sharon Adley says in her response that the only extra toilet facilities would be in the Market Street car park and could cause more people to be in that location than usual.
She also states: “If the music is going to be loud enough to be heard outside then this could cause serious problems and create another venue in the car park that could attract large numbers of people.”
She says there is no mention made of marshalls or security staff and suggests making sure noise can’t be heard outside the premises and that security staff are employed for the event then the risks could be reduced.
Members of Thanet council’s Licensing sub committee will discuss the application on August 2.
The beet bar
Follow this sign for a delicious #smoothie @BeetBar Find out more at https://t.co/rFSAbsGat1 #margate pic.twitter.com/FCZSrdEuvl
— Seaside Days (@seaside_days) July 18, 2017
The beet bar opened earlier this year as a cafe offering a plant based menu as well as freshly pressed juices, smoothies, tea and raw cakes.
They also plan to have a health and wellness studio for yoga, meditation classes, workshops and seasonal gatherings.
Opening hours are 10am to 4pm Wednesday to Sunday.
Agree to security – probably Mark One – and you’ll get the license. If loos are a temporary problem then TDC should step-up and hire some!