Concerns raised over pop-up Irish-themed pub event

Colchester City Council will consider the licence request for the event

Plans for a pop-up Irish-themed pub event for the Christmas period are to be considered after safety concerns were raised.

Live Tour Promotions has drawn up plans for the Molly O'Reilly's event at the all-weather football pitch off Cowdray Avenue, Colchester.

It has applied for an alcohol licence from 6 December to 31 December, which Colchester City Council's sub-licencing committee will consider on Monday.

Mark Goacher, Green Party councillor for Castle ward, feared the event's location could pose a risk.

"I am deeply concerned about the impact this application will have on local residents and think it is poorly thought through," he said.

"There is a higher risk to public safety – potentially to local residents and also drunken revellers from the event spilling out on to Cowdray Avenue on their way home in great numbers."

Live Tour Promotions is behind other Colchester events including Colchester Oktoberfest, the Ibiza Orchestra experience and the Sausage and Cider Festival, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It has been operating in the town since 2017, and on its website said Molly O'Reilly's was a "new exciting events concept".

Its application seeks permission for the sale of alcohol on the premises and the provision of live and recorded music indoors and performance of dance indoors for 1,000 people.

Documents prepared for the meeting show there have been 69 objections submitted in writing against the plans, plus a 48-signature petition.

The petition organisers said they were "not killjoys" and believed young people should be able to enjoy themselves.

However, they felt the location was not suitable and it would not benefit the area financially.