Reminisce: Organisers seek event licence at St Helens Council meeting

With plans to bring the festival back to Sherdley Park this September, organisers spoke about what they are doing to improve aspects of the event at a Licensing Sub-Committee meeting with St Helens Council.

Taking place this morning (Friday, July 15), councillors also heard statements from members of the public who raised concerns about the festival, which has grown from 3,000 visitors in its early days to crowds of 19,000.

After last year's event became marred by issues over queues and security concerns, Reminisce organisers Gary Laycock and Tim Herring addressed each of the main issues.

They stated that they "take everything that goes wrong very personally" and will comply with all of the relevant guidance to make Reminisce the "best it can be".

An aerial shot of Reminisce last year

Security

One of the main issues raised about last year's festival was the number of security staff manning the festival, and their behaviour during the event.

Festival-goers reported one incident where two security staff "became aggressive" and got into a "scuffle".

Gary Laycock said this problem was largely down to the "knock on effects" of Covid and being "let down" by their security firm.

Despite promises from the security company that they would provide a sufficient number of workers, complications arising from self-isolating rules meant that they "struggled to provide the appropriate numbers" for the festival.

The security firm did replace missing staff members with workers from another company but these were "not up to [Reminisce's] usual standard".

Postponements of other regional events such as the Parklife Festival in Manchester are also said to have created a "drain on resources".

After replacing the security firm with CSS - which provides security for Creamfields Festival - Mr Laycock and Mr Herring said that they are confident that these issues will not repeat themselves.

The lack of events occurring on Reminisce's chosen weekend will also create fewer problems for the availability of staff, the organisers said.

Reminisce organiser Gary Laycock

Internet issues

Long queues were created last year as internet problems impacted people's ability to get into the festival with mobile tickets as well as the ability to make card payments.

Organisers said that one of the contributing factors to this was a WiFi fixed cable which was "vandalised" and took a "period of time to sort out".

With advancements in technology and increased bandwidth from people trying to access the internet, they also admitted that they were "caught out" with the internet coverage that they had set up.

For this year's festival, the pair said that they have bought a "much more expensive system" in order to ensure the internet service will be capable to cope with the demand.

The system will also be backed-up with contingency plans in case any internet signal is lost on the day.

Tim Herring

Litter

While litter was accepted as an almost unavoidable consequence of large-scale events, Mr Laycock and Mr Herring outlined their plans to ensure Sherdley Park is left as clean as possible following the festival.

Continuing with their partnership with waste management company Barringtons as they "know the site", there will be an increased number of workers to ensure that inside and outside the festival premises, as well as neighbouring roads, are cleared of litter by the end of the weekend.

Mr Laycock added: "These workers will work from 9am until around midnight on the day of the festival.

"They then return the following day at around 6am and are the very last people to leave the site. They don't finish until everybody is satisfied that the park is left in a pristine condition."

Parking

Another complaint from residents was about the number of cars that were parking close to Sherdley Park as well as the lack of parking spots for those driving to the festival.

Although the festival "does not usually have a problem with parking", disruptions at nearby Lea Green station led to more people driving to last years festival and therefore a lack of spaces for both customers and residents.

Organisers said that they hope more people will commute by public transport this year to alleviate this problem and are increasing the number of shuttle buses from St Helens town centre and Liverpool to Sherdley Park.

They stated they are also making arrangements for more car parking spaces at the old driving range and Co-Op close to the park.

After all of the issues were addressed, councillors confirmed that they will decide whether to grant the licensing application for Reminisce Festival in the coming days.