Miss Palm Beach given ‘last chance’ at Mole

THE venue for one of the most popular events staged during the Christmas holiday at the coast, Miss Palm Beach, will remain at the Mole this year.

Permission was granted to the Junior Town Council by the Swakopmund Town Council at its monthly meeting in July. The venue has become controversial over the past few years because the event has grown so much in popularity.With an estimated 6 000 people converging at Palm Beach, the Council agenda stated that “the event has grown to such an extent that the area currently utilised has become too small to accommodate the mass of spectators who attend the function”.Concern has also been expressed over the rowdiness of the crowd that has caused a loss of income to surrounding businesses which were forced to close their doors for the duration of the event.In a letter to Council, former Junior Mayor Marina Sheriff writes that the competition is not only named after the venue, but that the central location of the Mole adds to the popularity of the event.She said the main sponsor of the event had expressed concern over a possible move and the negative effect it might have on attendance.In its recommendation, Council instructed the Junior Council to get support from the sponsors to ensure that the area was cleaned right after the event.The Junior Council was also told that if they did not manage problems experienced at the event properly and the venue was found to be no longer suitable, it could be moved to the skateboard ramp area in future.The venue has become controversial over the past few years because the event has grown so much in popularity.With an estimated 6 000 people converging at Palm Beach, the Council agenda stated that “the event has grown to such an extent that the area currently utilised has become too small to accommodate the mass of spectators who attend the function”.Concern has also been expressed over the rowdiness of the crowd that has caused a loss of income to surrounding businesses which were forced to close their doors for the duration of the event.In a letter to Council, former Junior Mayor Marina Sheriff writes that the competition is not only named after the venue, but that the central location of the Mole adds to the popularity of the event.She said the main sponsor of the event had expressed concern over a possible move and the negative effect it might have on attendance.In its recommendation, Council instructed the Junior Council to get support from the sponsors to ensure that the area was cleaned right after the event.The Junior Council was also told that if they did not manage problems experienced at the event properly and the venue was found to be no longer suitable, it could be moved to the skateboard ramp area in future.