Diwali party 'has to stay in the Golden Mile'

A business leader says Leicester's world-famous Diwali celebrations "belong" in Belgrave Road, after the city council revealed it was considering other potential locations for this year's event.

The rethink has been prompted by crowd safety concerns due to the size of the crowds the festivities bring to the road, known as the "Golden Mile".

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said he had been advised the celebrations had become too big for the area.

But Nisha Popat, chair of the Belgrave Business Association, said she did not want to see it move, telling the BBC: "That's where it started, that's where the tradition began, and that's where the festival is currently and should continue to be."

Leicester's celebration of the festival of light is thought to be one of the biggest outside of India.

The possible move of the festival was broached after the city's safety advisory group - which consists of all emergency services - raised concerns.

Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for culture, said: "Two years ago, there was a lot of concern around the main stage and what actually was considered to be a near-miss.

"Then last year, round Rothley Street, for 40 minutes, people were just not able to move.

"It was so packed. And of course, what had happened was that after the fireworks ended, everybody wanted to move, and the whole area just got completely jammed."

Dempster said the council had met the Belgrave Business Association, as well as the Hindu Festival Council, to discuss what is "clearly a very emotional issue".

Ms Popat said she felt "pretty reassured after the meeting with the council [on Wednesday] that Diwali celebrations, even if different but equally bright, would continue on the Golden Mile".

"We're obviously as concerned about safety... and we want to ensure everybody who comes to Diwali is safe," she said.

"However, all big events carry a risk and it's about how that risk is managed."

Ms Popat said she thought moving Diwali would have "a huge impact" on both the community and businesses in Belgrave.

"I think the only option for us as the business association and the community aspect is that Diwali needs to remain in the Golden Mile," she added.

"It's a festival that's been there for 40 years."

When asked if the event was moved away from the Golden Mile, would Ms Popat get behind it, she said: "I don't feel I personally would. And I don't feel the community or the businesses would."

Dempster said: "We want Diwali on the Golden Mile, we have to look at what can we do to ensure people's safety. That has to be paramount."

She said the possible move was "categorically" not about costs and said it was the council's aim to have Diwali on the Golden Mile, but added the event "has to be safe and we have to work together".

Leicester City Council said no decisions had been made and discussions would continue.

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