The controversial ‘ladies-only’ car park pool party was set to take place in an inner-city car park, but the police objected to the application saying the site was not suitable
Alexander Brock, Local Democracy Reporter
07:52, 15 Jun 2025
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Women in bikinis, DJs and cocktails – this was the dream conjured up by organisers of a contentious ladies-only ‘pool party’ in Birmingham.
A vibrant poster for the event, fastened to a metal fence in Newtown, depicted women joyfully dancing in a pool, accompanied by a roster of MCs and DJs slated to perform.
The event planners anticipated up to 450 attendees, with a “maximum of 25 ladies” permitted in the pool armed with water guns.
However, just beyond the poster lay the stark reality of the inner-city car park earmarked for the pool party – a location police deemed “not in a fit state to stage a safe event of this nature”.
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Photographs revealed heaps of debris strewn across sections of the car park, prompting one police licensing officer to remark: “There’s a sharp contrast between the advertising picture and the reality behind the fence.
“I don’t feel the site is in any way suitable at this time for hosting the proposed activity,” Mark Swallow, from West Midlands Police, also informed a licensing committee.
“It would be dangerous as there are numerous hazards.”
The city council licensing committee convened a meeting to review the plans after both police and Environmental Health officers objected to the proposed event for a car park at 30 Lower Tower Street.
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“The activity being held is a pool party event,” the Temporary Event Notice (TEN) application stated. “There will be guest DJs from within the UK.
“A changing room will be provided for safe, private and secure outfit change.”
The application detailed that DJs would spin recorded tunes to “coordinate the audience” and female security personnel would be on hand at all times to maintain safety.
It further noted a cap of “maximum of 25 ladies in the pool” armed with water pistols.
However, West Midlands Police lodged an objection to the proposal, citing a lack of sufficient information from the applicant to confirm the event’s safety and adherence to licensing objectives.
“To date, adequate responses have not been received,” stated the force’s licensing squad earlier.
Police licensing officer Swallow also pointed out that the organiser “plans to use plain water for the pool”.
“The Codes of Practice for the Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group state that treated water should be used for pools to prevent the growth of bacteria and viruses which could have a harmful effect on public health,” he remarked.
Harry Bevington from Environmental Health voiced his concerns about possible “noise break-out” during the open-air gathering at the licensing meeting on May 28.
“The applicant proposes a pool party with DJs and amplified music in an open-air private car park […] with up to 450 attendees,” he explained.
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The person responsible for the application assured the meeting: “I’ve tried my best to figure out all the requirements and do everything that’s required.”
The applicant revealed he’s holding back certain details until the venue is confirmed apt for the event, stating “I need the place clean first,” and assuring that the owner of the premises has committed to its cleanliness. “I’ve spoken to the owner of the place and he’s assured he’s cleaning the place – I was there myself yesterday to see the progress.”
Moreover, during a virtual meeting, the organiser explained that sound and equipment will be under the watch of a professional contractor, also mentioning an avoidance of water treatment due to “allergy problems” and ensuring attendees would not be in the pool beyond six hours.
Yet, the licensing sub-committee was compelled to issue a counter notice barring the event, having taken into account concerns from the West Midlands Police and Environmental Health. The council elucidated their stance in the decision notice: “Having considered the submissions of West Midlands Police and Environmental Health, members determined that to allow the event to proceed at the premises was a very clear risk to the licensing objectives”.
Key aims at stake included curbing public nuisance, safeguarding public safety, and inhibiting crime and disorder. “Members were not confident the proposed event could run well due to the objectives not being met,” the notice concluded.