Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool Council, said the national broadcaster had sought to use the popular site amid criticism
Preparations for the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekender in Sefton Park, Liverpool.
Not using Sefton Park for the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend could have meant Liverpool lost the event completely, according to the leader of the city council. Over two days next weekend, the popular green space in the south of the city is expected to welcome around 100,000 music lovers as the national broadcaster brings its huge event to Liverpool for the first time.
Preparations are now underway around the 235 acre park with huge boards put up around a section of the park. A series of traffic regulations have also been put in place to manage congestion in the days leading up to and including the shows.
Amid criticism from a former leader of the local authority and people living around the venue, Cllr Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool Council said it was the BBC who pushed for Sefton Park to host the festival. Cllr Robinson said pushing for a new location may have jeopardised the city’s hosting completely.
Radio 1’s Big Weekend will feature headline acts such as Unwritten singer Natasha Bedingfield performing on Friday, May 23 and legendary pop group the Sugababes taking to the stage on Saturday, May 24. The preparations for next weekend’s show have prompted a backlash from residents and former city council boss Warren Bradley.
Many have criticised the boards put up around the park while Mr Bradley said the traffic measures had caused “utter chaos.” Speaking on BBC Radio Merseyside, Cllr Robinson explained why Sefton Park had been chosen.
He said: “My understanding is the BBC did particularly want to use Sefton Park on this occasion so if we’d have tried to say another park we might not have got the event.” The authority boss added how the shows will fall on the same weekend as a trophy parade being held for Liverpool FC, which required logistical planning.
Several road closures will be in place to accommodate the BBC festival (Image: Liverpool ECHO)
He added: “It’s a huge event for the city on a huge weekend for the city. This is something that we’ve had to work very closely with the BBC on, on how we rig up the set in the park and how we take that down.
“Obviously 75% of the park is still untouched so residents can still use the park in every way they normally would but yes we fully acknowledge part of the park is cordoned off as part of this.
“I know if you live in that area, I know it’s disruptive. I came that way this morning to see how things are going and yes, it is causing a bit more congestion, but things were still able to get through.
“It’s how we keep managing it over the next few weeks and make sure it’s a really successful event not just for the Sefton Park area but the whole city.” Claire McColgan, Liverpool’s director for culture, told the ECHO on Tuesday while some disruption was inevitable, planning has taken place to ensure it minimises the impact on residents and businesses around the park.
This was echoed by Cllr Robinson. He said: “One of the great joys about the city is the wonderful parks we have got and when you have big, national institutions like the BBC that want to come and use one of those parks, obviously we don’t want to turn that down because we do know it’s a great event for many people in the city and the wider region.
“It’s another great opportunity for our city to be on the national and international stage so we have to get that balance right. We do thank everyone in the local area for their understanding and patience with it.”