No Ban for Zippos Despite Acton Green Damage
Council says circus will be covering the repair costs
Damage to Acton Green after event has yet to be repaired
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May 19, 2024
Ealing Council has confirmed that will not follow the lead of other local councils in banning Zippos Circus from operating in the borough.
A number of people had contact us to express concern about damage done by its vehicles to the grass on Acton Green with the impact still visible three weeks after its departure on 28 April.
Some residents had questioned why nothing had been done to make good the park and hold the circus responsible. These concerns increased following the announcement by Wandsworth Council that it was taking measures against the circus following damage being done to Wandsworth Common.
Wandsworth called the damage “completely unacceptable” and posted on social media, “Zippos Circus will not be returning to any Wandsworth green spaces in future and they are being charged the cost of renewing and repairing these grassed areas. In addition, their permitted length of stay on the common has been reduced.
“In light of what has happened this week, we will be reviewing what activities will be allowed on green spaces going forward and also how vehicle access on grass is managed by contractors.”
The previous year Lambeth Council took similar measures following extensive damage to Streatham Common.
Vehicle damage to Acton Green still visible three weeks after the event
Zippos, which was founded in the eighties, is one of the UK’s largest touring circuses and generally visits forty venues a year for a week at a time between February and November. Its Big Top holds over 900 people and it has been visiting Acton Green regularly over the last two decades. It features clowns, acrobats, flying trapeze acts, motor-bikers and, this year, the Mongolian Warriors act were performing on the springboard.
It is understood, that unlike other boroughs, Ealing Council has a tighter contract with Zippos that means that it can be held liable for any costs incurred for the repair of damage when it visits Chiswick. Cllr Gary Malcolm is claiming that the Liberal Democrats were responsible for putting these arrangements in place. He said, “About 12 or so years ago, the late Cllr Harvey Rose and Cllr Andrew Steed and myself got the Council to change the contacts on parks like Acton Green who have circuses etc. so that damages must be paid by the hirer. We also got an advance deposit that would be given back if no damage occurred or would be used if damage occurred. Photos are taken before the hire slot prove what damage has occurred.”
A council spokesperson said, “Zippos acknowledge the damage and are aware that they are liable for repair costs.
“We are now obtaining quotes for the works.
“It was particularly wet this April when Zippos were on Acton Green which make the ground more susceptible to churning, but we will be speaking with Zippos about minimising the potential of future damage at all sites.”
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