Adelaide City Council looks at Royal Croquet Club’s future in Victoria Square

THE Royal Croquet Club could be moved out of Victoria Square unless its founders propose a suitable new setup.

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THE Royal Croquet Club could be moved out of Victoria Square after concerns about the event were raised with Adelaide City Council.

The council will debate the future of the Royal Croquet Club (RCC) at next Tuesday’s Economic and Community Development Committee meeting, but a staff report has raised the possibility of moving the event if it can’t come up with a suitable design.

“If RCC is unable to design the site footprint and operations in line with the guiding principles then administration will work with RCC to source an alternate location within the city,” the report states.

Royal Croquet Club co-founder Tom Skipper said he did not want the council to move the event.

“We have invested heavily in the Square over the past two years so it would be a shame if we were forced to move,” he said.

“Unfortunately we have to wait until Tuesday to get a clearer understanding of what is going to happen after the committee meeting.”

The popular Fringe venue has attracted criticism from the hospitality industry that it has been given an unfair advantage over bricks-and-mortar businesses.

City residents and workers have also complained about the lack of public access and the damage to Square during the events season.

Councillor Alex Antic, who proposed the council introduce a policy on what type of events would be suitable in the Square, said many people were worried about the Square being blocked off for such a long period.

“One of the most common concerns (about the event) raised with me has been the lack of community access to the Square,” he said.

The report recommends the council commence negotiations with event organisers, who have previously stated a decision needs to be provided by the end of the month to start planning for next year’s Fringe.

But the report also flagged the council could refuse the event altogether.

“If the event organisers are unable to deliver a site plan and event within the endorsed guiding principles for Victoria Square … then the event will not be presented to (the) council for consideration,” the report states.