No World Cup fanfest in Regent's Park: GLA in U-turn over plans for football screenings for 20,000 crowds

Published: 5 March 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

PLANS to stage daily screenings of World Cup football matches in Regent’s Park have been abandoned.

The Greater London Authority, which came up with the idea, made the dramatic U-turn over the proposed fan zone following a vociferous campaign by residents, celebrities such as broadcaster Sue MacGregor and actress Dame Judi Dench, Regent’s Park open-air theatre and London Zoo.

Opponents feared the park would be overrun by drunken football supporters who would shatter the peace and pose a serious animal welfare threat at the zoo. 

Organisers were planning for crowds of 20,000 in the Gloucester Green area of the park.

As the GLA has formally withdrawn its application to Camden Council, there is no need for a licensing committee to look at the merits of big-screen events in the park, for now at least.

The announcement was met with elation by people living near the park, many of whom were gearing up for a showdown with the GLA when the application was due to be heard next week.

Malcolm Kafetz, chairman of Friends of Regent’s Park, which spearheaded the campaign, said: “Everybody in the Friends group is relieved and thrilled with the decision. 

“We are not anti-football, but if it went ahead it would have ruined the park and performances at the open-air theatre, and there may well have been legal action from London zoo. 

“As I understand it, they couldn’t go ahead with it because they were worried about not getting an alcohol licence, which wouldn’t have made it commercially viable for the GLA and the Royal Parks. 

Phebe Robinow, secretary of Park Village’s Residents’ Association, said: “This is fantastic news. We didn’t have anything against football, but this was badly thought out from the beginning and I am glad they are finding somewhere else. We understand the park needs to find money, but this wasn’t the answer. The park really would have been ruined.”

Brian Coleman, Conservative Assembly member for Camden and Barnet, said: “I am delighted they have seen sense, and peace and tranquillity will reign in Regent’s Park. 

“There are hundreds of licensed premises struggling for business where fans can watch football.”

Mr Coleman, who says he is “most certainly not a football fan”, added: “I do not want football rammed down my throat through the summer.”

A GLA spokeswoman said: “We were considering Regent’s Park as a possible location for a Fan Fest but legitimate concerns highlighted by our consultation raised doubts about the commercial viability of the plan. We are now focusing on the other options available.”