Council bosses urged to rethink plans for Christmas parties in war memorial garden

12 April 2012

Council bosses were today urged to rethink plans to allow Christmas parties in a public garden dedicated to Britain's war dead.

A catering firm wants to convert a memorial to tens of thousands of merchant seaman who died in the two world wars and Falklands war into a money-making venue.

The party application has been lodged with Tower Hamlets council, which owns the gardens, by Moving Venue specialising in providing catering in "unique and prestigious venues in and around London." The parties would be held from 22 November to 17 December.

A series of day-long parties with live music and alcohol sold from 11 am until Midnight are planned to take place in Trinity Gardens with a giant marquee on the lawn around the memorials.

The move had been condemned by mariners, local MP Jim Fitzpatrick who represents Poplar and Limehouse which includes Tower Hill, and union leaders.

Bob Crow, general secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport union whose membership includes current and retired mariners described the plan as "desecration" of the memory of war dead.

The union plans mass demonstrations on party days if they go ahead. Mr Crow said: "The RMT will not tolerate this desecration of the memory of seafarers who gave their lives on the Atlantic convoys by champagne swilling spivs and speculators.

"This disgusting display of greed and wealth is literally dancing on the graves of brave people who gave everything in their fight against fascism. We will stop it happening."

Trinity House, the charity which represents the well being of seafarers, said converting the gardens into "a site of entertainment would impact on the dignity of the memorials and the respect due those that are remembered there."

It was reported at the weekend the council, which would charge for use of the gardens, had rejected complaints because they were not "valid representations" under the terms of the Licensing Act 2003.

But today the council said it had now received "valid representation against the application" - and will come before the council's licensing sub-committee which could throw it out.

A spokeswoman said the original applation "for a high quality temporary marquee for a limited period of time was considered very carefully by the council before it decided to move forward with the arrangement, subject to licensing."

There would be "no access" from the marquee into the Memorial which would remain open to the public.

She said protests made by Mr Fitzpatrick "could not be considered as valid representation."
But the spokeswoman added: "The council has, however, received valid representations against the application which means the licence will be determined by the council's licensing sub-committee."

Richard Beggs of Moving Venue told the Observer the dignity of the gardens would not be disturbed.

A spokeswoman for Moving Venue said there appeared to have been confusion with Trinty House and the company understood their application for the parties was supported by them.

She said a meeting would be taking place later today with Trinity House to clarify the situation.
"We appreciate the sensitive views of it (the site) being a memorial garden. We will have added safety and security measures in place."

The spokeswoman said the party area would be separate site adjacent to the memorial.

A Moving Venure spokeswoman said the company was "very surprised by the concerns raised by Trinity House with regards to the use of Trinity Square over the December period.

She said: "In February, Trinity House suggested the potential use of Trinity Square for events. Over the last eight months we have worked very closely with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council to agree the terms of use of the square and in June received confirmation of the approval from Trinity House. In early September we launched the Trinity Square event space concept at Trinity House.

"We take the dignity and security of the memorial site very seriously. The proposed venue is entirely enclosed and separate from the memorial gardens, and accessed via a separate entrance.

"Whilst the venue is being used, security personnel will also be in place to ensure the safety of the venue, memorial gardens and guests.

"Given our surprise at the media article over the weekend we are urgently seeking a meeting with Trinity House to address these concerns."

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