A vibrant Punjabi festival celebrating music, dance, and culture is set to take place this weekend in West London after Hillingdon Council approved the event. The licensing sub-committee gave the go-ahead during a brief six-minute meeting on Thursday (June 11), where councillors were informed that all previous objections from council officers and teams had been withdrawn following engagement with the applicant. As a result, the plans were approved unopposed.
Event Details
The festival will be held on Sunday, June 14, from 11am to 8pm at the Sky-Ex Community Stadium in Hayes. This event aims to showcase traditional Punjabi culture through music, dance, and spoken word performances. The 3G pitch area will be divided into a standing audience zone and a seated area featuring approximately 800 folding chairs and large sofas for VIPs and guests.
It is a ticketed, non-alcoholic, family-friendly event, expecting around 2,000 attendees throughout the day, with a maximum capacity of 1,500 at any one time. While primarily targeting the Sikh and Punjabi community in the Southall and Hayes area, the festival is open to everyone.
Entertainment and Amenities
The festival will feature a 'truck stage' hosting live bands, spoken word performances, and dance acts. The headline act is Sunanda Sharma, a renowned Indian singer and actress. Additionally, the site will include market stalls and food concession stands offering hot and cold food and drinks. Although early plans mentioned inflatables and children's rides, these have been confirmed as no longer part of the event.
Safety and Security
Thirty qualified security officers will be on site, along with two paramedics and an ambulance for medical emergencies. An emergency evacuation and traffic management plan has also been implemented.
Previous Objections
The application initially faced objections from the council's environmental protection team, food and safety team, and the Metropolitan Police. Police had raised concerns about the applicant's ability to prevent crime, disorder, and public nuisance while ensuring public safety. However, all objections were withdrawn after positive engagement with the organizers.
It remains unclear what specific measures were taken to address these concerns, as this was not discussed during the short hearing. A legal officer informed the committee of "some developments" early in the meeting, and another council officer noted that revised documentation addressing the objections had been submitted. No public objections were received.
Committee chair Cllr Darran Davies stated: "The Licensing Subcommittee notes that all representation has been withdrawn prior to the hearing. The application is therefore no longer contested and will be granted as applied for subject to conditions consistent with the operating schedule and mandatory statutory conditions."
Tickets
Tickets for the festival are available on Eventbrite, priced at £15 plus fees.
