LN’s Olympic Park Leeway

Newham Council has extended the curfew at London’s Olympic Park to 11 p.m. in a bid to avoid having to pull the plug on acts that play summer concerts at the venue.

It prevent the type of fiasco that occurred at Hyde Park last year when organiser Live Nation had to pull the plug on a concert involving Bruce Springsteen and Sir Paul McCartney when it overran its 10:30 p.m. curfew.

“We have considered this very carefully. We have to strike a balance between residents living nearby, whose feelings are very important to us, and concertgoers, who want to enjoy themselves,” said Ian Corbett, chairman of the council’s licensing sub-committee.

“Concerts are a key part of the animation of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park post-Games and we believe it’s important we take a common-sense approach.  We want these major events to be a pivotal part of the Games legacy – drawing thousands of visitors and providing a huge boost for the local economy.

“We’re also creating a situation where people will feel good about their community and everyone can play a part in the legacy – and have fun.”

The Newham curfew covers venues including the former Olympic Stadium, Aquatics Centre, Chobham Manor, North East Lawn, South Event Lawn and South Park Plaza.

This year’s Hard Rock Calling (June 29-30) has Springsteen, Kasabian, The Black Crowes, and Alabama Shakes. Wireless (July 12-14) has Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Emeli Sandé, and Rita Ora.