Brockwell Park events will still go ahead this summer despite court ruling
Despite a High Court ruling, organisers of Brockwell Live, which hosts an annual series of festivals at Brixton’s Brockwell Park, have confirmed the events will still go ahead this summer.
Local resident and Protect Brockwell Park member, Rebekah Shaman, successfully brought legal action against Lambeth Council regarding the use of Brockwell Park by Brockwell Live. They have a licence to use the space for a maximum of 28 days, but Protect Brockwell Park claimed that this stretches to more than the licence permits.
On May 16th, Justice Mould ruled in favour of Shaman’s legal challenge, as Brockwell Live used the park for 37 days each year despite the license only allowing 28 days.
The series of events for 2025 is set to begin on May 23rd with Wide Awake, and despite the jeopardy following the legal victory for Protect Brockwell Park, Brockwell Live has reassured ticket holders that all events will go ahead as initially planned.
A spokesperson for Brockwell Live said: “Brockwell Live can confirm that all events in the series will go ahead as planned, including the Lambeth Country Show. Friday’s High Court ruling dealt with a particular point of law and whether an administrative process had been carried out correctly.”
“We wish to make it clear that no event will be cancelled as a result of the High Court’s decision. We take our stewardship of Brockwell Park seriously,” they continued.
The spokesperson looked ahead to the upcoming weekend of events, concluding, “As we prepare to deliver these much-loved, culturally significant events, we remain fully committed to its care, upkeep, and long-term wellbeing. With setup nearly complete, we look forward to opening the gates and welcoming festival goers later this week.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Lambeth Council said: “Summer Events Limited has applied to Lambeth Council for a new certificate of lawfulness, for 24 days, following the High Court ruling last week on the previous certificate. The council is urgently considering that application. That consideration does not stop the events proceeding.”
In addition to Wide Awake on May 23rd, Field Day is also set to take place on May 24th, before Mighty Hoopla will take over Brockwell Park on May 31st and June 1st.
The High Court ruling was criticised by Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, who said, “If we allow pressure to shut down these events to succeed, we are not just cancelling a few days of music — we are dismantling a vital ecosystem of creativity, work, and community connection that cannot be easily rebuilt.”
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