Bermondsey Street Festival planned for next Saturday has been cancelled after Southwark Council said they would not be issuing a licence following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Southwark Council told organisers that they would not be issuing a licence for the festival’s scheduled date of September 17 – nine days after the death of the Queen, but still in the official mourning period.
An email from a council events officer said: “I’m sorry to have to let you know that the council will not be issuing an event licence for the Bermondsey Street Festival to take place on 17th September as originally planned.
“If you would like to discuss the possibility of deferring to a postponed date (i.e. in at least two weeks’ time, beyond the period of mourning) then we would be happy to look at that with you early next week, though I understand that this will not be an easy option given the amount of work that has already gone into event preparations and the number of stakeholders involved.”
The annual Bermondsey Street Festival features local arts and crafts, music and even a dog show.
Event organisers said they would now be cancelling the festival altogether, although they would have preferred to go ahead.
“While we would wish to continue with Bermondsey Street Festival in this challenging time as it is an important part of our Community, the Council take a different view and we are unable to proceed,” they said in a statement.
A concert for Bermondsey and Rotherhithe’s beloved socialist mayor Ada Salter planned for today (Saturday September 10) has been postponed after organisers got a concerned email from the council.
The email said: “We know that this is extremely short notice, so if you are unable to postpone the event, we would ask that you not play any musical instruments or conduct any activities in an overly celebratory way, in respect of the situation we find ourselves in.” Organisers said they were looking for an alternative date.
The government’s official guidance on mourning says: “There is no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues during the National Mourning period. This is at the discretion of individual organisations.
“As a mark of respect, organisations might wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the State Funeral. They are under no obligation to do so and this is entirely at the discretion of individual organisations.”
The Queen’s funeral is likely to be on Monday, September 19, although no date has officially been announced yet.
Southwark pays tribute to Her Majesty The Queen – read our six pages of coverage