Isle of Wight gets capacity increase

Isle of Wight Festival organisers won their bid to increase capacity by 20,000 reports the Isle Of Wight County Press, (here). The three-day event was licensed for 70,000 however last night Isle of Wight Councillors agreed that can be increased to 90,000.

Tickets for this year's festival from Friday 10th until Sunday 12th June 2011 at Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight have already all gone, and the increase will not lead to more tickets being sold for next month's event.

Both Newport and Whippingham parish councils raised concerns at the Wight Council's licensing committee meeting about the increase, highlighting fears of a potential rise in crime and disorder. They said they would have preferred the capacity to remain at 69,999.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police have also asked for extra conditions to be placed on organisers concerning the sale of alcohol and noise on the campsites, which the organisers accepted.

Organisers insist the increase is not for extra festival goers and that no more tickets will be sold for the June event. They argue the increase is to encompass extra security, police and behind the scenes staff.

The meeting took more than three and a half hours, with the festival granted not only a license for 90,000 people there, but an indefinite license – so they don't have to go through the premises license application process again.

Kings Of Leon will headline the Friday, Foo Fighters and the reformed Pulp appear on Saturday, and Kasabian closing the festival on Sunday, with The British Pink Floyd Show headlining the Big Top on Saturday, and The Manic Street Preachers on Sunday. Other acts include Tom Jones, Jeff Beck, Beady Eye, The Script, Plan B, Public Image Ltd. (PiL), Cast, Hadouken!, Nick Lowe, and more. For the line-up details, day and stage splits, as available please click here.

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