Bid to expand capacity

The Latitude Festival is bidding to be bigger than ever this year.

Organisers Festival Republic have applied to the local council for permission to increase capacity at the Suffolk site from 35,000 to 39,999.

The event has been growing since it started 11 years ago, with around 10,000 ticket-holders. It has developed a reputation for being a ‘middle-class’ festival, thanks to an emphasis on all arts, not just music.

Its comedy tent has a capacity of around 2,000, and hosted the likes of Bill Bailey, Al Murray, Tape Face and Milton Jones last year. There is also a cabaret arena that hosts more alternative and variety acts, and book and poetry tents.

Until 2009, the event had a capacity of 25,000 – and the following year it was boosted to the current 35,000.

Residents living near the Henham Park site in Southwold are now being invited to comment on the application for an extra 17 per cent increase in capacity. Submissions must be received by Suffolk Coastal and Waveney Council's licensing department by February 1.

This year’s Latitude will take place from July 13 to 15.

Published: 5 Jan 2017