Tom Kerridge’s Pub in the Park festival slammed after ground ‘churned up’

By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

A popular park in has been “churned up” after a food and music festival, run by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge, came to town.

Pub in the Park said the damage in Wimbledon Park was “unavoidable” after heavy rainfall and has warned it could take some time before it is fully repaired.

The festival took place over three days from May 16, with tickets sold for about £50 a day.

Jonny Tyson said he walks through the park twice a day when he takes his son to nursery, and said he wants Merton council to remember that the park is for the use of the public, not just for private events.

He said: “It feels like it is used purely as an asset to generate money for the council rather than a public asset.

“Last year the damage was not so bad from Pub in the Park but when it is damp and you’re having big articulated trucks it just churns up the earth.

“It is for the public, whether it is elderly people, people walking their dogs or playing football with their kids. If it becomes less usable it has a knock-on effect.”

Restoring the park is the responsibility of the organisers of Pub in the Park.

A spokesman for the company said: “After a successful Pub in the Park weekend, the organisers are working closely with Merton council to make sure any damage to the ground is repaired as soon as possible.

“Unfortunately, damage was unavoidable due to the heavy rainfall during the build of the event, however remedial works in the form of rolling, aeration and re-seeding will take place as soon as possible.

“This will take some time to commence as these remedial works cannot begin until the ground is fully dry. In the meantime, we have implemented corrective measures to ensure the ground is level, safe, and to ensure the full area of the park is available for public use when we vacate the site, and prior to further works commencing.”

A Merton council spokeswoman said: “Following the Pub in the Park event last weekend, we are working with the organisers to restore part of Wimbledon Park to its natural state.

“The ground will be levelled, fresh soil will be added where needed and the areas re-seeded as soon as possible. However, the start of this work has been delayed, due to wet ground conditions. This work will be fully funded by the event organiser.”

Pictured top: Wimbledon Park was churned up by Pub in the Park (Picture: Jonny Tyson)