Temporary funfair in Bradford 'operating without a licence' (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Temporary funfair in Bradford 'operating without a licence'

10:00am Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News By Jessica Nightingale, T&A Reporter

A temporary funfair is operating without a licence, Bradford Council has confirmed.

The fairground, set up on a former tramshed site off Leeds Road in Thornbury, has been running since Friday, to the dismay of nearby residents. According to the council, fair bosses only applied for a licence two days before arriving.

Colin Wolstenholme, markets manager at Bradford Council, said: “The funfair operator submitted an application just two days prior to the funfair taking place so we are now having to deal with this as a retrospective application.

“The landowner has given permission for the funfair to take place and any safety issues with the rides is a matter for the Health and Safety Executive.

“We will of course be monitoring to see if there are any issues regarding public safety, traffic or rubbish left behind following the event and will follow up if necessary with the funfair operator and the landowner.”

Councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq (Lab, Bradford Moor) said he is still in talks with the council to see if there is anything else within its powers it can do.

He said: “There is unfortunately very little we can do with our powers.

“The fact the ownership of the land is private, it does make it more difficult.

“But if any residents have any problems with noise disturbance, litter or anything they should contact the council. We have nothing against the fair – it is just the way they have gone about it and leaving it so late to apply for a licence.”

The consultation process for licence applications is four to six weeks, according to Coun Khaliq.

But funfair boss James Finnie said he feels he has complied with the council’s licensing laws. He said his family had run fairs across the Bradford district in places, including Lister Park, for 30 years without complaint.

He said: “Obviously I am aware of the licence law with Bradford Council and I know you don’t need to apply six weeks before on private land.

“We have had visits from Environmental Health and Health and Safety and we are still operating, which proves everything is above board.

“We have done everything in the correct manner.”

One nearby resident, Joolz Denby, 57, said she and other neighbours were annoyed at how close the fair was to their houses, which she described as being one car width away from the front gardens.

The fair is due to run until Sunday.