This year’s popular Quarry concerts, which will feature big music names such as Jools Holland, have come under fire from residents in a row over licensing.
Shrewsbury Town Centre Residents Association fear the events on July 10 and 11 will break outdoor music guidelines set by the former Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council – if a new entertainment and alcohol licence is approved.
Event manager IML has applied to Shropshire Council for a licence to serve alcohol from 5pm to 10.45pm and play live and recorded music between 6pm and 10.45pm on both days.
Alan Shrank, of the residents association, said the policy set by SABC recommended that all amplified music should not exceed a four hour period.
He said: “The Quarry conditions of sale define a period of four hours of music at any event, and this application has applied to play amplified music for a total of nearly six hours, and this does not include rehearsal time and time for sound checks. This is unacceptable.”
He added members were concerned the new licence, if approved, would fail to keep the concert and its spectators under control.
“We are putting in a whole load of conditions to make sure the noise is monitored,” he said. “We want everything to end by 10.30pm as it is quite unreasonable to have noise and fireworks after 10.30pm.
“Last year’s concerts in July caused public nuisance as far away as Attingham Park and Meole Brace, and this must not be repeated.
“We fear excessive quantities of alcohol could be introduced into the Quarry, and its consumption could lead to considerable public disorder especially when the crowd leaves the Quarry. We also want to make sure no barbecues are used in the Quarry and no glass to be used either.
Mr Shrank said a meeting will be held on June 4 for residents to discuss the use of the Quarry with candidates for the new Shropshire Council.
Carol Foster, licensing officer, said: “Representations have been made on the application and it will be considered at a licencing sub committee meeting on or around June 8, unless the applicant agrees to the representations that have been made.”
