Lounge On The Farm renounces its current license

Lounge On The Farm held at Merton Farm, Nackington Lane, in Canterbury has decided to renounce its current license and embark upon applying for a new one for 2012.

The Canterbury City council have confirmed that the surrender of the license in no way means that there will be no festival for 2012. However, the festival organisers want to ensure that the event is stronger and safer than ever, and the application for a new license will allow for this, as well as sustained growth in future years.

Last month it came to light that local police had asked Canterbury City Council to revoke the licence for the annual event, established in 2006, on the grounds of "the prevention of crime and disorder, public nuisance, the protection of children from harm and public safety."

By surrendering the licence, Lounge on the Farm hopes to show its commitment to working with Kent Police rather than against them. Organisers say that a good relationship with Kent Police is vital to the safe running of the event.

Sean Baker, the festival's founder has released a statement saying, "We feel the best way to progress onwards is to voluntarily relinquish the current license held for Lounge on the Farm and take out an application for a new one for 2012. This will allow us to discuss the issues of 2011 and improve our working relationship with Kent Police. With a new license we can take another step towards a safer, more secure event that is far better positioned to progress and build on the fantastic success we have enjoyed over the last few years."

The festival set up a petition, and received 942 signees, aimed at the council in favour of the festival after the city council's licensing panel were due to decide, at Canterbury Guildhall today whether to pull the plug on the old licence, which LOTF have voluntarily relinquished.

Jack Walsh, event manager addded, "Lounge on the Farm would like to thank all of its supporters for an unprecedented and inspiring show of backing. We look forward to applying for a license that will be better suited to the festival's needs, ultimately making for a better event for everyone – from the festival goers to the police, the local traders to the surrounding neighbours and everyone in between. Everyone's continued support is hugely appreciated."

The dates for the sixth Lounge on the Farm music festival, are currecntly provisionally from Friday 6th to Sunday 8th of July 2012. An early bird adult weekend ticket is priced at £105, youth tickets (aged 13-17 on 06/07/2012) are priced at £82.50, children (aged under 13 on 06/07/2012) can attend free, family tickets which allow entrance of 2 x adults and 2 x kids (aged 13 - 17 years) are priced at £265, or £190 if the two children are aged under 13 years. A campervan/mobile caravan ticket is priced at £50.

For those who have already bought early bird tickets, Mr Baker has assured, "All ticket money for the 2012 event has been ring-fenced. Anyone who has bought an early-bird ticket will be protected from losing their money in the unlikely event of a revocation of the licence."

To buy tickets, click here.

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