Brockwell Bounce, a free festival for children in Brockwell Park due to take place today (29 May) has been cancelled because heavy rain last weekend and forecasts of further downpours have made the site unsafe for children, Lambeth council said.
It added that it is managing the impact of the heavy rain to minimise damage and will make sure that any repairs needed are carried out.
The council said there is an agreement that any repairs needed will be paid for by the event’s organiser, not the council.
A free community event in place of Brockwell Bounce is planned for the school summer holidays.
The cancellation of Brockwell Bounce follows the sudden withdrawal of headliner Erykah Badu from Cross The Tracks in Brockwell Park at weekend at the last minute. A sound check had been done in the morning.
The council is reviewing the impact of the rain on forthcoming events planned for the park.
It said it worked with an events organiser to create free and paid-for events in the park to bring exciting entertainment to the borough, and to be able to keep the Lambeth Country Show free for local people.
The Association of Independent Festivals, a trade association represents more than 200 UK music festivals, said recently that 40 festivals have been cancelled this summer and over 170 have been discontinued in the past five years.
It said the main reason was unpredictable rising costs. Festivals are under more financial strain than ever because there has not been a “steady” festival season since lockdown ended.
The council said it spends £500,000 a year maintaining Brockwell Park which has won several awards including a Green Flag given by Keep Britain Tidy in line with the international standard for high quality parks and green spaces.
The 50th Lambeth Country Show, expected to attract more than 120,000 people, is due to take place on 8 and 9 June.
Running it in partnership with the event organiser has saved the council £700,000, and this year should generate more than £100,000 for community investment, the council said.
“Lambeth council has worked hard to keep Lambeth Country Show as a free community event, despite the severe budget pressures, because the Lambeth Country Show is a brilliant opportunity for the borough’s communities to come together for a safe, inclusive and fun celebration,” the council added.
The annual event has been organised by the council since 1974. It is now run in partnership with Brockwell Live.
