Lichfield District Council says it will review its street trading fees after a backlash from organisers of events in the city.
The Lichfield Food Festival and the Lichfield Bower have both been forced to hold last minute make-or-break talks with the local authority in recent months in order to ensure their events went ahead as planned.
The company behind Lichfield Grub Club has also warned the future of its popular night could be in doubt if the council does not shift on the new fees policy.
The council says new street trading fees were introduced in a bid to help meet the cost of dealing with festivals in the city.
But Cllr Angela Lax, Cabinet member for legal and regulatory services, confirmed that the issue was now under review.
“Our ambition is to be renowned as a festival city, and we are extremely supportive of the events staged by a range of independent event organisers across our city and district,” she said.
“In recent years our events calendar has grown, with many more street traders coming to the city. Part of our role is to deliver vital checks on traders at events to make sure they have the right safety procedures and insurances in place, among other things.
“This is a time consuming and costly activity, requiring significant officer input from across the council. This year we introduced a new subsidised street trading fee for special events, to help us fund some of these extra costs.
“Having listened to local event organisers, we recognise that the fee and the timing of its introduction has caused some issues.
“As such, we are carrying out a review this summer to ensure we support local events, while continuing our essential work to support safe and well managed events.”
Cllr Lax said she hoped the review would allow the city to continue to build on its reputation.
“I would like to thank all event organisers for their feedback,” she said.
“I am hopeful we will be able to introduce a solution that sees Lichfield’s events scene continue to flourish and grow.”
