Dromore may have to wait for Oktoberfest

It seems increasingly likely that if the event is to be rolled out in Dromore it may have to wait until 2014.

Local Councillor Carol Black has been leading efforts to secure for neighbouring Dromore a repeat of the Banbridge event .

Ulster Unionist Ms Black was among those councillors to vote down a proposed alcohol ban at the Oktoberfest .

At a Leisure and Development Committee meeting in June the DUP’s Councillor Jim McElroy proposed the sale of alcohol be not permitted at the Solitude Park event.

Councillor Paul Rankin seconded the proposal and Councillors Joan Baird and David Herron joined the pair in voting for the ban. Councillors Black, Brendan Curran, Seamus Doyle, Paul Gribben, Marie Hamilton, John Hanna and Sheila McQuaid voted against and Councillors Olive Mercer, Glen Barr and Liz Ingram did not take part.

An enthusiastic Oktoberfest supporter , Ms Black revealed early on that she had been speaking to the organiser with a view to holding a similar event in Dromore.

“I was very, very anxious for that to happen,” she told councillors at last week’s monthly meeting, where she revealed Dromore was still being assessed as a potential venue.

“They’re looking to see if it can be held in Dromore park, or if it’s suitable, because they feel it must be central,” she said. “They probably will want to wait and see how Banbridge goes and so they may hold off on Dromore until next year.”