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Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

LAST night's letter from The Friends of Finsbury Park to Haringey Council

LAST evening, Registered Charitable Trust The Friends of Finsbury Park issued what could be seen as a final warning to Haringey Council, not to proceed at 9:30 this morning with their Cabinet Member Signing for another five-year deal with Live Nation:

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From: [personal email address]
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Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2026 10:48:43 pm
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To: peray.ahmet@haringey.gov.uk a href="mailto:peray.ahmet@haringey.gov.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">peray.ahmet@haringey.gov.uk>; emily.arkell@haringey.gov.uk a href="mailto:emily.arkell@haringey.gov.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">emily.arkell@haringey.gov.uk>; Andy Donald a href="mailto:andy.donald@haringey.gov.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">andy.donald@haringey.gov.uk>
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Subject: Request to postpone the Signing of the 5-year deal with Festival Republic/Live Nation on Friday 20th 2026

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Friends of Finsbury Park (FoFP) is greatly concerned that the Council’s decision to delay the Cabinet Signing Meeting by one day—in response to FoFP’s initial objection—and subsequent pressure on stakeholders to make hasty submissions, to which officers could not realistically consider, does not discharge the Council’s requirement to consult about the multi-event park hire application (under Haringey’s Outdoor Events Policy).
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The Policy expressly requires “sufficient time” to consult “all” stakeholders and especially Friends Groups. We are concerned also that the proposed Decision makes no mention of the Full Council’s prior commitment (at 21 July 2025 Full Council meeting) to review its position in relation to use of permitted development rights for allowing major events (following the High Court’s ruling against Lambeth Council in May 2025 and subsequent ruling again against Lambeth this month, on 2 March 2026).
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We therefore call again for the consultation to be reissued to give all stakeholders a proper and sufficient time for response, and for consideration, in accordance with Haringey’s policy.
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To proceed as you propose, would in our opinion, reinforce our view that this would not meet the criteria for a meaningful consultation.
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Alternatively, we will seek legal advice to challenge Haringey’s disregard for its own policy and for stakeholders considered views.
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Yours sincerely,
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Gina Harkell
Katie Dawson
Joint Chairs
Friends of Finsbury Park
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Tags for Forum Posts: Andy Donald, Brockwell Park, Cabinet Member Signing, Emily Arkell, Festival Republic, Finsbury Park, Haringey Council, High Court, Live Nation, Peray Ahmet, More…Private Eye, Ticketmaster

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Larklander 1 hour ago

A representation which appears to have bounced off without leaving a dent. According to today's Haringey People email (arriving in my inbox a few minutes ago):

"Global stars continue to perform as Finsbury Park secures further long-term funding

"Finsbury Park will continue to host world-class music, with events generating vital long-term funding and investment that benefits both local residents and users of the iconic open space.

"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."

And on, and on. Lengthy encomia from Peray Ahmet and Emily Arkell omitted in the interests of brevity.

Permalink Reply by Clive Carter 1 hour ago

THANKS Larklander; the council's PR copy is quite long; the drafting of which may have begun at some point earlier in the week. The account of the rubber-stamping is on their webpage linked below:

Global stars continue to perform as Finsbury Park secures further long-term funding

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