Solihull Moors' Damson Park is preparing to welcome thousands of festival-goers this Sunday, May 3, for the inaugural Moors Tribute Festival. Attendees will now be able to enjoy drinks directly on the pitch after a recent licensing issue was successfully resolved, ensuring the event proceeds as planned at the club's Damson Park-based venue, also known as the Armco Arena.
Previously, Solihull Council's licensing act panel was scheduled to meet to address concerns that the existing premises licence did not cover the pitch area. This posed a potential hurdle for the festival, which aims to utilize the entire stadium experience for its visitors.
However, the meeting was ultimately cancelled as the issue was resolved, granting festival director Ian Rogers the green light for drinking on the pitch. This positive outcome allows the event to proceed without further licensing delays, much to the relief of organizers and ticket holders.
Ward councillor Laura McCarthy, representing Elmdon where the Armco Arena is located, had initially raised an objection due to potential parking issues for local residents. Following constructive talks with organizers, new plans were put in place, including a shuttle bus from an NCP car park, a dedicated contact number for residents, and a taxi drop-off area at the club.
Ian Rogers expressed gratitude for the engagement, stating, "We are delighted the objection has now been withdrawn and our focus remains on delivering a safe, enjoyable and well-managed event while minimising disruption for local residents." The festival has already sold over 4,000 tickets, representing approximately 75% of the capacity, with a final push underway for remaining tickets.
Tickets for the Moors Tribute Festival, featuring tribute acts like Queen, Taylor Swift, and Sam Fender, are available for purchase up until Sunday, and attendees can also pay at the door. Organizers hope for continued sunshine and plan to make this a successful annual community event for Solihull.