New Ebrington Square event rules to be decided in talks with Ebrington Hotel

Future Ebrington Square events will be subject to new guidelines as the Executive Office (TEO) and the Ebrington Hotel are set to kick off talks.

All relevant stakeholders will be involved in the 'co-design process', which aims to update the site rules following the recent controversy.

Four concerts at the square in August were in doubt after an objection from the new Ebrington Hotel. The new £15 million hotel, part funded by the taxpayer, did a u-turn following public pressure.

Earlier this month, a TEO spokesperson confirmed the talks will take place with all relevant parties.

“Work on the development of new guidelines and criteria for the holding of events has not yet commenced,” the spokesperson said.

“The intention is to have a co-design process with all stakeholders to agree guidelines and criteria for all future events on Ebrington Square which will be subject to a formal consultation and EQIA [Equality Impact Assessments] process.”

Foyle MLA Gary Middleton said the main issues seem to be the type of events that will be permitted going forward.

“The main issue at the moment appears to be around the types of concerts, I think that we need to be very careful that any process doesn't exclude particular types of events in the city,” the DUP MLA said.

“To get events the go ahead there are a number of steps already so there are safeguards in place to ensure that any event is safe and respectful of not only the businesses, but also local residents as well. So those checks and balances, of course, will have to be in place.”

He hopes to see the matter dealt with as a ‘matter of urgency’.

“At this stage the executive office has said that they are going to co-design an application process. They are going to bring in the businesses in Ebrington, the promoters and the event organisers, along with members of the public as well to try and come up with an application process that will allow for events going forward.

“I think the frustration is that we’re again rolling into the tail end of 2023 and it doesn't take very long for 2024 and the summertime to come around again. So there’s a matter of urgency around all of this,” the MLA said.

He hopes to see the application process open this year, to give organisers a reasonable amount of time to plan.

“Obviously, there were a number of events over the August period, which passed off successfully, despite a number of challenges, which arose prior to the events happening.

“Going forward, it's vital that the executive office open up an application process that is inclusive of all types of events and makes the process as straightforward as possible so that we can ensure the events can be advertised in good time so that people can plan to come to the city to enjoy them as well.

“We need to make sure that businesses have a reasonable amount of notice, but at the same time, it can't be restrictive, because the promoters and the event organisers only have so much time available to them as well to book the acts.”

He said it’s important to strike a ‘fair balance’ between the interests of stakeholders.

“What we don’t want to see is further red tape and regulation, because what will happen is people will just be put off, those organisers will just go elsewhere.

“That's something which would be really sad to see, given the fact that Ebrington is a public space and it’s used by every section of the community, and I think that's the way it should remain.”

A document on the Your Ebrington website outlines the current restrictions and rules for events in the public square.

As it stands the Event Planner (EP) must 'take all reasonable steps' to ensure site tenants and park users can continue 'to trade or use facilities normally during events'.

The rentable area must be screened so as not to impede the operation of site tenants, park users or the general public or other users.

Noise reduction equipment must be utilised to limit the impact of the event on tenants and neighbours. Musicand sound of any description is only permitted between 12.00 and 14.00 and after 17.00 and be at a 'non-disruptive level'. Noise is not permitted after 11pm.

Two Event Security staff must be positioned on all site access and exit points to regulate traffic, direct pedestrians and advise on statutory regulations for access to public areas and the event space.

A Stewarding Plan, a Traffic Management Plan, a Noise Management Plan and a Communication Plan must be incorporated into the Event Plan.

The document also states that the square will not be available for events between 17 June 2024 and 31 July 2024 for construction work. The Ebrington Visitor Car Park is also no longer available for events according to the document.

A spokesperson for the Ebrington Hotel welcomed the talks.

“We look forward to playing a positive role in the future planning of events , as part of the 'co design process', to be overseen by The Executive Office,” they said.

“The Ebrington Hotel has been pleased to have been consulted by the owners of Ebrington Square, The Executive Office, about the scheduled events taking place for the rest of the year and we welcome the planned programme, which we hope will enjoy the full support of all sections of the local community and be a benefit to all those who live in, work in and visit Derry.”

The confirmed events are as follows :

A fundraising event for Foyle Hospice which is a sponsored cycle organised by Foyle Cycling Club will take place on 2 September.

The Waterside Half Marathon race organised by DCSDC will gather at the Square before finishing at St Columb’s Park on 3 September.

Foyle Memory Walk, a Fundraiser organised for the Alzheimers Society takes place beginning at the Square on 16 September.

Recovery Walk NI organised by ARC fitness and the Bogside & Brandywell Health Forum starts at the Square going to the Guildhall to raise awareness of addiction, substance use and recovery on 30 September.

The Halloween Funfair between 27 October and 5 November.

Events in the dairy so far for 2024 include the Waterside Half Marathon and wheelchair race in September and the Council’s Halloween festivities in October/ November.