Venue licence under review after three-day festival

The venue hosted the three-day Chelmsford City Live festival last month

A venue that hosted a three-day music festival that left fans queuing for hours to leave could lose its licence due to public safety concerns.

Essex Police said Chelmsford City Racecourse's licence to put on live music and sell alcohol was currently under review.

About 25,000 fans descended on the venue for Chelmsford City Live in July to see 10-time Grammy winner Justin Timberlake and a host of music stars take to the stage.

A spokesperson from Chelmsford City Racecourse said: "We've consistently demonstrated a commitment to operating within the parameters of our licence, with robust measures in place to ensure safety, compliance, and responsible event management."

They added: "We look forward to working alongside local authorities on how to continue effectively delivering great events within our existing conditions."

After the festival, frustrated concert-goers said it had taken several hours to leave car parks as streams of vehicles queued for exits. One post claimed people were "stranded in a field".

The licence which allows the venue to sell alcohol and put on live music is being reviewed due to concerns of crime and public disorder, public safety - and that events caused a public nuisance.

A hearing will take place in the next three weeks, when a decision will be made to amend or revoke its licence.

The final decision will not have an impact on the racing calendar, said a spokesperson from Chelmsford City Council.