The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Roe Green Park. This application was for a one-day European Christmas Festival.

Application for a New Premises Licence: Roe Green Park

The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Roe Green Park¹ in Kingsbury², NW9, submitted by Jaz Walia of Asian Events Media³. The application was for a one-day licence to host the European Christmas Festival on 29 November 2026. The event was scheduled to run from 12 noon to 7:00 pm and was expected to accommodate up to 3,000 people.

The application detailed plans for regulated entertainment, including live music and performances of dance, with a stage featuring performers and dancers. The event was to be ticketed, with tickets available on the day for £5. The Event Management Plan⁴ outlined arrangements for security, with a minimum of 15 SIA⁵ licensed security staff planned, along with an Event Operations Manager and Safety & Security Officer. It also detailed plans for crowd management, including a single point of entry with bag searches and wristbanding.

The application proposed that alcohol would not be sold, permitted, or consumed within the designated event area. Any drinks sold by caterers were to be provided in non-glass containers and kept out of reach of the public. The plan also included provisions for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, with procedures for lost children and a zero-tolerance policy on drugs.

Representations were received from a local resident, raising concerns primarily related to public safety, prevention of public nuisance, prevention of crime and disorder, and the protection of children from harm. Key concerns included the management of vehicle access, movement, and parking within Roe Green Park, particularly given the event's timing in late November with reduced daylight hours. The resident highlighted previous instances of vehicles being driven and parked on open parkland, creating a chaotic and potentially dangerous situation. They also raised concerns about the limited legitimate parking provision and the potential for parking pressure on surrounding residential roads. Further concerns were raised regarding amplified music, vehicle-related nuisance, artificial lighting, litter, and potential damage to park infrastructure.

The applicant, Jaz Walia, responded to these concerns, stating that previous events at Roe Green Park had adhered to all provisions, with approximately 30 vehicles parked within the fenced site and security present at all times to escort vehicles safely. They confirmed that no visitors were allowed to park on site and that security was stationed at the park entrance. They also stated that the Event Management Plan covered the highlighted sections and that the play area and exercise equipment would remain accessible.

The Licensing Authority, through Licensing Enforcement Officer Edwin Maldoom, proposed a set of conditions to be added as Annex Two to the premises licence. These conditions covered general requirements, prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. These included attending Safety Advisory Group⁶ meetings, adhering to the Event Management Plan, limiting attendees to 3,000, issuing wristbands, prohibiting alcohol, ensuring a minimum of 15 SIA staff, conducting bag checks, maintaining public liability insurance, ensuring electrical safety, installing Heras fencing, providing emergency exits, maintaining an incident log, having qualified first responders on site, and implementing a fire safety and evacuation policy. The conditions also stipulated that children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult and that a Lost/Found Children & Vulnerable Persons Policy would be in place.

Jaz Walia confirmed their willingness to accept these proposed conditions.