The Harare City Council has stopped hiring out the Harare Gardens for musical shows, Standardlife&style can reveal.
BY OUR STAFF
The development is likely to throw the already ailing Harare showbiz scene into a deeper crisis given the limited number of venues.
According to information gathered, residents booked at the nearby Monomotapa Crown Plaza and tourism players have expressed concern over the noise levels from the venue whenever there are musical shows.
Leslie Gwindi, the city spokesperson confirmed the development but said they were working to find common ground.
“We have issues with residents concerning the noise levels but we are trying to find a common ground,” said Gwindi.
“We are sitting down looking for a solution to the problem with all the concerned parties and we hope we will soon find an answer,” said Gwindi.
Sources at the Harare City Council last week said the venue will be closed for musical venues soon after the Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa).
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The source said council received instructions from the Local Government ministry to stop hiring out the venue with immediate effect.
The source said there had been complaints from Crown Plaza Hotel that business was going down by the day due to noise pollution.
While the move could spell disaster for music promoters who have been relishing the convenience of the Harare Gardens as a venue, it could be a positive move from a tourist perspective.
Besides the noise pollution, maintenance of the gardens have been a nightmare for the grounds men with little patches remaining in a sea of sand in what is referred to as the Telecel Main Stage at Hifa.
Music promoter Biggie Chinoperekwei said the move would spell doom for musical promoters and upcoming musicians.
“We have always had a shortage of venues and Harare Gardens bridged the gap,” said Chinoperekwei.
“There are a handful of other venues like the Harare International Conference Centre, the City Sports Centre and the Glamis Arena which are all too big and too expensive. What it means is there is no longer going to be a show for upcoming artistes because one cannot get returns on venue booking.
“The shows can no longer be priced at less than US$10 so that one can at least break even.”
Chinoperekwei said there are also concerns of accessibility of the venues and said developmental projects have to be embarked on for infrastructure so that the sector can survive.
