A SOMERSET music festival will be able to be staged until at least 2025 after a new licence was granted.

The Shindig Festival was originally held at Gilcombe Farm near Bruton before relocating to the Dillington Park Estate near Ilminster.

Shindig Productions Ltd. held the original Dillington event – which took place in 2022 – using temporary events notices (TENs), but recently applied for a permanent licence to secure the festival’s future.

South Somerset District Council has now granted this licence, which will run until June 2025 – though it can be reviewed before this date.

The council’s licensing sub-committee met in Yeovil to discuss the proposals on Monday morning (January 16).

Under the agreed terms, Shindig Productions has the licence to stage one event covering a maximum of five days per year between May 1 and June 2 each year until 2025.

The licence includes the provision for live or recorded music until 3am on the Saturday and Sunday mornings and until 2am on Monday mornings, along with the performance of plays, dance performances and the screening of films.

Alcohol is licensed for consumption on the premises until the same cut-off times as the live or recorded music, with any cafés on the site being able to stay open until 5am on selected days of the event.

The capacity of the festival is fixed at 14,999 (including staff) for any one event – though Shindig Productions has indicated that it will not exceed 12,500 at the current year’s event.

Chard & Ilminster News: Shindig Festival was held at Dillington House near Ilminster for the first time last year.Shindig Festival was held at Dillington House near Ilminster for the first time last year. (Image: Steve Richardson)

Matthew Phipps of TLT Solicitors (representing the organisers) said: “We’ve been going for ten years, minus the Covid interruption.

“Our experience and expertise is not exaggerated when I say it is significant.

“We held the application back from submission in order to accommodate the police, who were involved in other duties in November.

“We have worked hard to finesse and amend the conditions attached to the licence in line with their constructive feedback.

“We have put our shoulder to the wheel to ensure we improve at all times.”

Objections to the new licence were originally submitted by both Avon and Somerset Constabulary and the council’s own environmental health team; however, these were withdrawn before the hearing after new conditions were agreed with the festival organisers.

The sub-committee took less than an hour to approve the new licence, including a short period of deliberation in confidential session.

Councillor Martin Wale, who chaired the meeting, said Shindig’s approach with regard to residents’ concerns was “encouraging”.

Following the council’s decision, Shindig Productions posted a celebratory statement on the festival’s official Facebook page.

A spokesman said: “Not just here for a good time, here for a long time.

“We are excited to announce we have been granted a three-year licence for the Shindig Festival at Dillington Estate – a home we can now grow into.

“Thanks to the local community for welcoming us and for all your support.”

The next Shindig Festival is due to take place from May 25 to 28. For more information visit www.shindigfestival.co.uk.