I think people are focussing too much on why there are any concerns at all rather on getting the basic questions answered. I have no wish to put the Horniman out of business or to see it suffer, however all that us being asked is that they demonstrate how they propose to manage numbers and pedestrian flow as well as the usual facilities such as loos and parking. This is a standard requirement yet the Horniman seemingly refuse to engage on this. They might say the cookout fiasco won't happen again but don't convince us that they can exercise the necessary admin and control needed in order to do so. All they have to do is present the required method statement. I don't actually think they have the organisational capacity to manage large events and why should they as its not their core business.

I remember when they were going round presenting their plans for the expansion and someone mentioned that they would be using the new space for a 'green room' for large events. It was pretty clear that there were planning larger scale events even then. It would have been an idea if they had arranged a public meeting to consult and present before they proceeded with the licence proposals and worked to instil more confidence in the community.