Barrio back on

Aug 27 2008 By Robert Cumber

The Barrio Fiesta is finally set to go ahead in September, nearly two months after being cancelled at the last minute.

Organisers have rearranged the annual event, expected to attract up to 70,000 revellers to Lampton Park, for September 13 and 14.

The Filipino festival - now in its 24th year - was scheduled for July 19 and 20, only for officials to pull the plug days beforehand due to safety concerns.

However, organiser the Philippine Centre is confident it has resolved issues about traffic management and fire safety and will be granted a licence for the new dates.

The charity said it had already paid for the venue and was holding a health and safety meeting for caterers this Saturday.

A spokeswoman for John Laing Integrated Services, which manages the park on behalf of Hounslow Council, said it had been working closely with organisers, police and the council to overcome the issues that led to the sudden cancellation.

"The organiser is in the process of developing a comprehensive event management plan and we are confident the event will go ahead," she added.