Park left with 'unacceptable mess' after concert

A councillor has bemoaned the "totally unsatisfactory" way in which Hove Park was left after concerts last weekend.

Ivan Lyons from Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) said he had been contacted by residents about the condition of the park after Live at Hove Park finished on Sunday.

Lyons, who represents Westdene and Hove Park, wrote on Facebook: "It is totally unacceptable to leave the park in such a mess...it may have rained since the concert but to leave it like this is totally unsatisfactory."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, organiser Joy Concerts said it has met with council contractors and that "plans for restoration work have been approved".

Joy Concerts added: "Heavy rainfall during the post-event de-rig left some areas of the park waterlogged, with essential vehicle movements causing parts of the ground to become muddy and churned up.

"Arrangements for assessing and reinstating any affected areas, including our responsibility for the associated costs, were agreed with Brighton & Hove City Council in advance as part of the site hire agreement."

Restoration works approved include "rolling the ground to restore a level surface and reseeding areas so that the grass can regrow", the organisers said.

Councillor David McGregor, cabinet member for the economy, culture, heritage and tourism, had previously said on Facebook that the organisers "will be paying for this mess to be fixed".

He added: "Events are a key part of what makes our city so special but we're not putting up with this kind of mess."

Live is an annual two-day concert which this year saw performances from Levellers, Sleeper and Passenger.

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