Northern Ireland

Unapproved funfair disrupting Derry’s Maritime Festival food village

Funfair operator urged to remove equipment and vehicles from officially designated food village of Derry’s Foyle Maritime Festival

Derry funfairs
The fun fair set up behind fencing along the quay in Derry where the Foyle Maritime Festival is due to get underway on Thursday. PICTURE: MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN
By Catherine McGinty

A funfair operator has been urged to remove equipment and vehicles from the officially designated food village of Derry’s forthcoming Foyle Maritime Festival.

The vacant site, near Rock Mills on Strand Road, had been earmarked for the food and drink vendors of the Legenderry Food Network - a collective which supports local producers.

Foyle Maritime Festival runs from June 27 to 30 and is expected to attract 150,000 visitors.

A spokesperson for the Network expressed “profound disapproval and disappointment” regarding the decision by Xtreme Funfair (Fundamania) and G-Force Events to locate temporary amusements on the site.

“The decision to set up an amusement facility without consulting with the festival organisers, has meant that local traders are now excluded,” he said.

“This undermines the livelihoods of small businesses integral to our community.

“Our local traders have worked tirelessly to contribute to the vibrancy and economy of our city.

“By denying them the opportunity to participate in one of our region’s key events, Xtreme Funfair and G-Force Events not only jeopardises their businesses but also erode the collaborative and inclusive nature that Derry is known for.

“We urge Xtreme Funfair and G-Force events to reconsider their stance and grant us access to the Foyle Maritime Festival.”

A Derry City and Strabane district council spokesperson confirmed to The Irish News neither the landowner not the operator had engaged with council.

“Council has been in contact with the operator since the amusements have been set up and site inspections in relation to environmental health, planning and health and safety regulations have been carried out,” he said.

“Council has also been in contact with the NI Health and Safety Executive, who is the regulator, to express its concerns.

Derry funfairs
The Foyle Maritime Festival is due to get underway on Thursday. PICTURE: MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN

“Following several site meetings along the Quay today (Tuesday) officials from the council have successfully reworked and designed the site layout to accommodate all the traders that had signed up for the Legenderry Food Festival.

“The site layout has been revised to ensure that the only impact will be the loss of some public seating and recreational space.

“While this is unfortunate it was the only way to facilitate all traders and adhere to health and safety.”