Festival at Shoreham Airport could draw ‘up to 70,000’ people

Airside operations at Shoreham Airport will be run by Brighton City Airport for the next 30 years D14182117b

SJM Ltd, which runs events including the annual V Festival in Essex and Staffordshire, has applied for a licence for live music, refreshments and alcohol sales at the airfield.

And if the application is given the go-ahead, tens of thousands of people could descend on the airport for a festival, with the first possibly being held as early as June.

Concerns have been raised about the potential impact of the event on local roads, with around 25,000 expected in the first year and a capacity of 70,000.

Jonathan Candelon, managing director of Shoreham Airport, said: “It is very early stages but rest assured that everything is studied. It’s not just off the hip.

“I think it really would be great for this area.”

“A few months ago, a big film production came to the airport and we want to encourage all these activities.”

The deadline for responses to the licensing application is Friday.

For the full story, see the Lancing and Shoreham Heralds, out tomorrow (Thursday, December 4).