6 replies to this topic

[shakey.]

Its all on this thread

http://www.guilfest....i...asc&start=0

[eFestivals]

this has come about essentially at the insistence of the council, and not for any other reasons.

Essentially, the whole of a festival site is classed as a pub as far as licencing is concerned, and the festival has to do all that's expected of a pub if it wants to be able to keep its licence. As there's reportedly been instances of underage drinking in the past on the GuilFest site, then the responsibility for that falls onto the licenced premises - and if it's not doing everything possible to try to stop that underage drinking then the licence is at risk.

It's something that Tony (the GuilFest organiser) would in an ideal world rather not have to do, but without doing it then its unlikely that the festival could have a long-term future.

[Song Simon]

Fair enough, I suppose - it was only a matter of time, and it's true that there is underage drinking going on. It would have been nice for them to have made a big announcement about this early on though, rather than let everyone just find out about it after getting their tickets!

Now we'll all be buying pints at the bar instead of carrying cans in, they'll be making a lot more money through booze sales. Do we think there's any chance of the alcohol prices coming down a little to compensate? As we're always saying on here, it isn't the kind of festival that's run just to make a tidy profit...

On the positive side, at least it's only a few footsteps from the arena to the campsite (and not that far from the nearest decent pub and offy), it's not like Reading or similar where you have to walk a mile to get drink from your tent sometimes.

[eFestivals]

Song Simon, on Jun 18 2008, 02:54 PM, said:

Do we think there's any chance of the alcohol prices coming down a little to compensate?

this point has been raised with Tony today, and he's promised to look into it.

(Note: he's promised to look into it, not promised it will happen - it's not entirely within his control).

[Song Simon]

eFestivals, on Jun 18 2008, 05:15 PM, said:

this point has been raised with Tony today, and he's promised to look into it.

(Note: he's promised to look into it, not promised it will happen - it's not entirely within his control).

Can't say fairer than that!

Most festival organisers would laugh that out of town ("Not selling cardboard pints of pisswater at the highest possible profit margin? You must be kidding!"), for it to even be considered is refreshing.

[Johnny Echo Echo]

I`ve got no problem with this new ruling. It would`ve been nice to know before buying the tickets if basic Guilfest rules change, but Hey! its not the end of the world. I hope the security enforce it properly though, the new crowd last year seemed to have trouble enforcing the no glass on site and let me through over twenty times without a glance in my bag, (not that I had any glass on me or alcohol come to that, but I expected to be checked all the same).

The shock I had was when I read the title of this thread and thought, Oh No! Now they`ve gone too far! No alcohol at the festival... I nearly wept!
Now I understand the true meaning of the title, I have no issue. I would add that I`ve never seen any underage drunks or drinking at any of the previous five Guilfests that I`ve been to, but the logic of the ruling is fair even so.

Last years bar prices were £3.50 a pint of cider or lager, which is about normal, but I don`t want to see the `captive audience = stupid price increase` concept that so many places try. If that happens I shall have to consider (con-cider), my options...

Edited by Johnny Echo Echo, 21 June 2008 - 02:42 PM.

[chownsy]

I appreciate the situation.....though, with the credit crunch all around us I can't help but think this is a money making scheme

As for underage drinking..........the kids will just hit the streets of Guildford!!! Moving the problem from one area to another!

Never mind! Its a real shame, I only ever took a few tins in,and generally ended up buying a couple at the bar.

Can't help but think this might kill the festy a bit  

SEE YOU ALL THERE!