Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
FIVE more years of Events in Finsbury Park?
HARINGEY Council prepares to commit to another 5-year
commercial exploitation deal for Events in Finsbury Park:
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At the Cabinet Member Signing at 1PM this Thursday, Cabinet Member Arkell or a substitute will lock the council into another half-decade deal with Festival Republic, the UK subsidiary of US giant global live-music monopoly, Live Nation.
The public are not ordinarily allowed into these little meetings, but at Agenda item seven, this is a specific exclusion (link above):
"Exclusion of Press & Public"
Just before item eight:
This EXEMPT item may discuss how the council will deal with the recent ruling in the High Court case involving Brockwell Park and how they will get around it.
For 11 years, intense and damaging commercial exploitation of Finsbury Park has been council Majority Group policy.
Tags for Forum Posts: 5 years, Cllr Ahmet, Cllr Arkell, Events Team, Festival Republic, Finsbury Park, Grime, Haringey Council, Live Nation, commercial, More…
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Konrad B
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This evening in Haringey Council’s online propaganda news “Haringey People Extra” the LABOUR council have this evening announced the signing of the five year deal:
https://mailchi.mp/haringey/hpx20032026?e=b656b85a2a
"As we get ready for our year as London Borough of Culture 2027, we have signed another five-year deal with event organiser Festival Republic, ensuring major events and stars will be showcased in the park each summer through to 2032.
"Approved at a Cabinet Member Signing today (Friday 20 March 2026), this latest contract generates significant income for the park and benefits nearby businesses, the local economy and the wider community."
I live in Stroud Green near the park, were any residents consulted - no. So we have to live with Live Nation taking over our park each summer until 2032! Time to get rid of Labour in the forthcoming elections!!!!
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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth M
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Don't assume you speak for all residents on whether festivals in Finsbury park- or indeed any park in London -are a good thing. Some of us love them.
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton
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Hi Elizabeth M,
I completely agree with your point about nobody speaking for all residents about festivals in Finsbury Park.
But I'd ask you to also consider some separate points about the importance of regular elections; the right to vote; and to cast your vote for a party you choose. And to change your mind next time. Including the democratic right to remove from power a Political Party Haringey residents no longer give majority support.
What is now happening is that the people running the local Labour Party till now, are are in effect afraid of or simply ignoring the forthcoming local ward May elections. They are rushing through a five year contract with Live Nation, their favoured contractor.
Let's imagine that Labour lose this election.
I realise that Labour probably think - or hope - this is unlikely. But please bear with me and imagine, for example, a tiny majority coalition of Liberal Democrats and Greens.
Let's further imagine this coalition is broadly happy with Live Nation! But wants to see if they and their advisors can renegotiate a contract with Live Nation that's a bit better financially or in other commercial terms for Haringey?
Can the new councillors running the Borough in May do this?
I don't know? Does anyone?.Will the contractors, Live Nation, say to the new Council that they have a five year contract, "agreed by your predecessors in March 2026. Before the old lot were voted out".
"So tough luck. You're locked in". Not just till the next Council election, but a year after that."
Maybe I've got this all wrong? And some Council top official can put our minds at rest? Maybe the Council's lawyers can explain that there's plenty of room for amicable renegotiation?
Or will it all be commercially confidential and secret?I'm not trying to stop residents having fun in the parks. But I would like the next elected Councillors to be accountable; to carry the can for how they run the Council.
Wouldn't you?
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All audable aims. I have no beef with people wanting to get the best deal possible out of Live Nation. I have beef. with those who assume self appointed "Friends" speak for all park users or indeed the majority.
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Thanks for replying, Elizabeth M.
And it seems, doing so with an open mind.
I understand and accept as well your "having a beef" - can we call it expressing scepticism - of the Friends Group speaking for everyone.
I very strongly guess too that members of the Friends Group themselves would not claim to represent every local resident using the Park. But I do think the Friends Group are expressing a view based on wanting the very best for the present and a healthy and properly cared for, future of this precious and loved Park.I invite you to consider as well, the preciousness of local elections.
Elections this year in a few weeks time. Well before the current contract with Live Nation expires.
Without any emergency or urgency to decide in advance of the election.Indeed, the Labour Leader Cllr Peray Ahmet could have said that she welcomes and is going into the May election with one of her election promises to renew Live Nation's Finsbury Park contract. As one of the jewels in the crown of the Borough of Culture Year. But that as a democrat, she would postpone that contractual agreement until after the election day.
I believe elections are important.
Important because the people decide which Political Party - or alliance of parties - will govern our borough. With that Party's Principles and Programme more imortant than any single politician.
Does anyone now on the Council truly believe Labour's pretence that the future of Finsbury Park is "a non key decision?" That is what is claimed by Labour.
Or is Finsbury very much a major North London Park and a Key Decision affecting dozens of wards, thousands of visitors, and millions of £Pounds?Surely it's embarrassing to claim otherwise?
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