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Love Parade 2001 - Radio 1 Statement
Saturday 14 July
On Friday Radio 1 set Newcastle City Council a deadline of 6.00pm Saturday to
resolve the outstanding issues required by the City's Police necessary to stage Love Parade 2001. That deadline has now expired and Newcastle City Council have failed to meet the conditions of the Entertainment Licence for Love Parade 2001 in the time remaining to
stage a safe event. The Police have turned down revised plans from Newcastle City Council. Therefore the event will not go ahead.
 Radio 1 Controller Andy Parfitt said: "On behalf of the dance music community and dance music fans, particularly all those in the North East that have shown us so much support during the past 24 hours I express my sadness. Although I recognise that extraordinary efforts have been made by the Council, I am still very disappointed that they have failed to meet their obligations under the licence at this late stage. Radio 1 have been working on this event for more than 6 months and have met or exceeded all the requirements placed on us to stage an exciting and safe event. I pay tribute to the Live Events team at Radio 1 and our event organisers SFX who have worked flat out on meticulous preparations. I am very sorry that Love Parade cannot take place."
Radio 1 are now in urgent talks with national and local clubs and DJs to see whether, in the time remaining, a programme of smaller indoor events can be mounted in the city.
Andy Parfitt added ; "We are going to pull out all the stops to offer something to keep faith with our audience in the North East. Love Parade may be dead on the streets of Newcastle but we will make every effort to keep its spirit alive on our airwaves and in local clubs and arenas."
Comment from Radio 1 Controller, Andy Parfitt
Monday 16 July, 11.50am
"Suggestions of an alternative "unofficial" Love Parade would not be a good idea at all. It could prejudice the future of Love
Parade in the UK forever. I understand how disappointed people are but to
clog up the centre of Newcastle next weekend would be counter productive,
if anything went wrong clubbers would be blamed, and the reputation of
Dance and Dance fans, who made last year's event such a success, would be
damaged. In those circumstances it would be hard for any local authority
to look favourably on Love Parade in years to come. Radio 1's advice is,
if you don't have a ticket for an indoor event, to stay at home and
listen. I've asked moderators at our website not to put up messages that
are just encouraging people to travel to Newcastle."
Comment from Radio 1 Controller, Andy Parfitt
Sunday 15 July, 8pm
"Love Parade 2001 cannot go ahead and I'm as gutted as anyone. Many people at Radio 1 have worked flat out for months so that we could all have a
fantastic, but safe weekend; I feel for them and I'd like to say thanks for
all your messages, mails and texts of support that've come in over the last
24 hours. In particular, I'd like to say thanks to all those in the North East who
have contacted us. We are now planning for next weekend. I will let you know
as arrangements firm up what's going on.
"There is though one important message that I want to get across - events in and around Newcastle next Saturday will be ticketed, indoor events only - so if you don't have a
ticket then our advice is to stay at home and listen to what we put out on
Radio 1. It won't compensate for the loss of Love Parade but it'll be good - I promise. Thanks again for your support."
Andy Parfitt
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