Agenda item

To receive the report of the Managing Director, Alexandra Palace Trading Limited (APTL) advising the Advisory Committee on forthcoming events to the end of the financial year.

RECEIVED the report on Forthcoming Events as detailed on pages 27 – 30 of the agenda pack, introduced by Rebecca Kane – Managing Director, Alexandra Palace Trading Limited (APTL).

NOTED

·        The report provided a snapshot of events due to take place over the coming year.

·        Arrangements for the Red Bull event were progressing well.  Both the APTL and APPB Boards had agreed to contract with Red Bull.  Councillor Cooke added that feedback had been sought from previous venues where Red Bull had held events and that all references had been positive.  Red Bull had also been probed with regards to restrictions on Park access and how they could be reduced.  The Board were impressed with the level of detail provided, for example, there would be no digging; surfaces would be protected with imported dirt to keep the surface intact; and the imported soil would be at the same pH level as the existing soil.

·        Publicity was due to start imminently – a trailer was due to be filmed inside the Palace, which would be shown on the Alexandra Palace website, Facebook, Twitter and the Red Bull channel.

·        The PA system would only be used during the event, not out of hours and the speakers would be directed up-hill towards the Palace – this  should stop the noise from travelling to neighbouring areas.  The event would run from 11am to 5pm.

·        Tickets would cost around £10/12 and APTL were aiming to procure a proportion of tickets to be available as a priority for local residents.

·        In response to a question, it was noted that there were limitations on the type of music events held at the Palace due to the cost of renting fixed seating.  It may be that fixed seating would be installed as part of a theatre in the future, and that would expand the range of events provided.

·        In response to a question, the Chief Executive confirmed that it was unlikely there would be a fireworks display this year due to costs, however it may be an option in the long term.  Rebecca Kane added that sponsorship this year was not a viable option due to the pressures on sponsors from the Olympics.  It may be easier to get sponsorship in coming years.

·        Holland Heineken House was booked from 13 July – 19 August and details were available on the Alexandra Palace website.  This was a big opportunity to showcase the Palace at its best.

·        Heineken were committed to involving the local community and a daily ‘newspaper’ would be produced to show which events would be taking place.

·        In response to a question, it was explained that there would be a ‘soft opening’ on 26 July, 6,000 tickets would be available each day – which was relatively low compared with our capacity of 10,000.  The build period would start on 12 July, but this would be mainly inside.  There was nothing planned for the park itself.  The hall would only be used in the evenings, and music could only be played until 1am.  The site would be cleared by 2am.

·        In response to a question, it was noted that plans for the exterior decoration / lighting had not yet been signed off, although suggestions had been made to Heineken with regards to lighting specific areas of the Palace.

·        Heineken had paid for the use of the whole Palace, however not every space would be used for the public – some areas would be used for storage and other areas would be used for studio space.  Due to security issues, it had been sensible to lease the building to Heineken for that period of time as a whole.

·        With regard to clarification regarding the exclusion of the public to the Palace / Park during this time, it was explained that there were no restrictions on the use of the Park but that there had to be some restrictions on the amount of people attending the Palace due to Health & Safety / Security.  This, however, did not exclude the public, as tickets were publicly available for sale.

·        Overall it is expected that the Holland Heineken House event will be a major income generator for the Trust.

·        The meeting noted at this point that this was APTL Managing Director Rebecca Kane’s last meeting as she would be leaving to become General Manager at the O2 arena on 16 March.  The meeting thanked Rebecca Kane for her hard work and success during her time with APTL.

RESOLVED to note the report.