The Lady Boys of Bangkok are looking for a new venue.
This year may be the last the annual attraction can appear in Brighton’s Victoria Gardens because the area is about to have a revamp.
The Brighton and Hove City Council scheme will redevelop the area from St Peter’s Church to the Old Steine.
It is due to start this summer and will mean the area will be affected for at least the next two years.
A Lady Boys spokesman said: “The council is in the process of finding us a new venue for the show.”
The Warren, a Brighton Fringe venue at the north of Valley Gardens which is run by Otherplace, will also be out of use from 2019.
Josh Carr, the director of production and design, said: “We are already in talks with a number of people about potential sites for our relocation and are fortunate to have support from the council in our efforts.
“While we’d love to have remained at St Peter’s Church Green, where The Warren has been sited for the past four years, we see the move as an opportunity to refresh what we offer and bring an even more exciting version of The Warren back in 2019.”
Brighton Spiegeltent, which is in the Old Steine, may be affected during the second phase of the plan, which is scheduled to begin in 2020.
Spiegeltent producer Adrian Bristow said: “Event organisers are worried about their future as the current plans don’t show enough event space to run the flagship Fringe sites and other events throughout the year.
“We believe the Fringe outdoor sites are important to the city.
“We’re hoping for a meeting with the council and other Fringe venues in June.
“But I worry it may be too late for changes.”
Councillor Robert Nemeth, who represents the Wish Ward, said: “The Conservative group has made representations throughout the process in favour of the large events staying.
“One example is pushing for the correct utilities to be in place beneath the new surfaces to service the various visiting shows.
“It would be outrageous to hear that the Labour administration is trying to push such events out.”
Ian Taylor, events manager at the council, said: “The council has considered events that take place here in their plans.
“It may well be that the Warren and Lady Boys can return to the area once the work is finished.
“In the meantime, we are looking at venues like The Level and Hove Lawns, both of which are well suited for holding events such as these.
“They have looked at incorporating hard standing surfaces, power supplies and water supplies.
“In many ways, the redevelopment should be beneficial for events rather than detrimental.
The Valley Gardens project, which will run between St Peter’s Church to just south of Church Street, will be a complete overhaul of the area, including the planting of nearly 300 trees.
The new look will include fountains in front of the church, small streams running next to paths and flowerbeds.
About 280 trees will be planted, according to plans.
The development of Valley Gardens was originally proposed by the Greens in 2013 and was finally approved in November 2017.
There is also a plan in place to improved traffic flow on the roads running alongside the green space, nmeaning more roadworks while the work is completed.
The initial phase of the project is expected to be finished by spring 2020. Councillor Gill Mitchell, chairwoman of the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee, said: “We have been working closely with event organisers on our plans for Valley Gardens and this year’s Fringe events will go ahead as normal as we have planned work to start later in the summer.
“When the work is in progress there will be an impact on events and we are helping the Fringe and other event organisers with alternative For videos, more pictures and breaking news visit theargus.co.uk sites.
“We visited the gardens during last year’s Fringe while the festival was in full swing, to hear about their requirements.
“We will continue to liaise closely with the organisers.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel