The owners of the new Ebrington Hotel say they are now content for concerts to go ahead next month following a huge public outcry.
Four gigs scheduled at the old Army barracks had been cast into doubt over a legal threat.
Site owner The Executive Office (TEO) was facing the threat of legal action from the hotel, which opened next to the square earlier this month, and withdrew permission for the concerts.
The decision provoked a backlash among the Derry public who say they have organised a protest outside the hotel for this Saturday, July 22, at 2 pm.
Stormont ministers had attended the cutting of the first sod last year, where £15m of investment was announced.
A statement from the Ebrington Hotel, reported by the BBC News NI, said: “Licences for use of Ebrington Square were issued without notice to entertainment promoters by the owners of the site, the Executive Office.
“The Ebrington Hotel understood that the Executive Office had a duty to consult with them in advance of any decision around the awarding of such licenses.
“This did not happen in relation to the August events.”
The hotel added that it is “committed to ensuring these events are successful” and to add to the local tourist offering while managing its other commitments such as wedding bookings.
St Columb’s Park was offered as an alternative venue to concert promoters which followed The Executive Office’s “failure to consult and recognise the hotel’s position”, the hotel claimed.
The owners of the Ebrington Hotel said they contacted the Executive Office on Monday to indicate they are “content for the August events to go ahead subject to agreement of conditions with the Executive Office and the council”.
The four gigs include:
Dance event Stack City Raves on Saturday, August 5
Abba tribute gig Arrival from Sweden on Sunday, August 6
Singer Ryan McMullan on Friday, August 25
Dance festival Jika Jika on Sunday, August 27
The site was handed back to the city over 20 years ago and has hosted some of the biggest music events ever held in Derry, including the Radio 1 Big Weekend in 2013.
The Executive Office said it has recently invested significantly in the redevelopment of Ebrington Square.
In January 2022, executive ministers attended the sod cutting to launch the £15m investment in the project.
The Executive Office announced that the hotel would receive £1.75m from Invest NI and £7.25m from the NI Investment Fund.
Stormont ministers were joined by developers Cecil Doherty and Liam Tourish at the sod cutting in January 2022. Pic by Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye
“Discussions are ongoing about a number of forthcoming events. It would therefore not be appropriate for the Executive Office to comment further at this time.”
Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) said responsibility for Ebrington Square lies with the Executive Office and any decisions on permissions for events and possible claims for compensation is a matter for them to deal with.
A spokesperson confirmed the Council has been in regular contact with the Executive Office in relation to this emerging issue and spoke with local promoters to start conversations around the possible use of the council-owned St Columb’s Park as an alternative venue.
“The council clearly outlined to the promoters that, should they express an interest in using St Columb’s Park for their events, the council would seek to process applications for entertainments licences as quickly as possible, while adhering to the statutory licensing framework and requirements, in order to facilitate the events,” it added.
“Once a formal request is received, officers would meet with the relevant stakeholders through safety advisory Group to facilitate the event and put in place the necessary requirements for the gigs to go ahead.
“The council recognises the importance of hosting large-scale events in the city and is keen to facilitate local promoters where it can assist in making these happen.”
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