A festival is under threat after police branded the organisers as incompetent and “full of waffle”.
Outdoor 90s festival Save the Rave is due to take place at Royal Victoria Country Park later this month.
Organisers Jaly Group Ltd has applied for a premises licence for the concert, but it has been met with criticism from the police.
According to Hampshire Constabulary, the chief officer of police has “no confidence that Jaly Events can safely host the event”.
The application has also been heavily criticised by the Southampton and Eastleigh Licensing Partnership.
'Genuine public safety risk'
The application made by Jaly Group founder James Daly has received a fierce objection from Hampshire Constabulary.
It details how a licence was granted to the company less than two months ago but has not been used.
Save the Rave and Look-A-Like festival – both organised by Jaly – were due to take place in August before being moved to September 28 and 29.
The police force cites “continued failings” of the organisers.
“Operators have tried to convince the responsible authorities that they are experienced by using a plethora of buzz words and phrases with little or no substance or evidence to the documents,” police said, describing it as a “load of waffle”.
Officers added that two major errors in the application are noted, with Jaly including the incorrect date and stating there is no parking, despite there being car parks and fields at the country park for use.
READ MORE: Fuming festival-goers demand refund from organisers - but get no reply
They said: “It’s mostly waffle and irrelevant information intended to pad out a document as Jaly Events do not have experience in event management.”
Phil Bates, licensing manager at Southampton and Eastleigh Licensing Partnership, also objected to the application.
He said: “I have genuine concerns at their ability to manage an event of this size.
“I consider there to be a genuine public safety risk as I do not consider the organisers to be sufficiently prepared to run what is to them an event for up to 4,999 people in a new area with new providers and staff.”
The objections reveal Jaly's previous licence prevented under 18s from attending - despite one of the days being advertised as a family event.
It also revealed members of the safety advisory group expressed "serious concerns" earlier in the summer, resulting in Hampshire County Council revoking permission for Jaly to use their site for the festival last month.
'Great big scam'
Jaly Group has recently been in the spotlight as customers have claimed not received refunds for the rescheduled events at Royal Victoria Country Park.
Richard Cox forked out nearly £300 for tickets to both events due to be held last month.
Now, he is fighting for a refund as he cannot make the new dates.
The 57-year-old from Bitterne said: “The way Jaly has treated people is unbelievable.
“My bank have been absolutely brilliant and are fighting to get the money back for me.
“Jaly told me I had received my full refund, but my bank confirmed that is not the case."
Organisers of the event will face a licencing panel tomorrow at Eastleigh Borough Council, where a decision on the application will be made.
Jaly Group has been approached for comment.
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