Park 'sensational' ahead of festival, council says

A park undergoing a revamp in Canterbury has reopened ahead of a festival taking place in the city later this month.

Dane John Gardens fully reopened on Friday and is "looking sensational", Canterbury City Council said.

Work is continuing on path resurfacing, and refurbishment of lighting columns and the power system for the lights and the fountain, while a cafe building is nearing completion.

A council spokesperson said: "Everything is now building up to our fantastic day celebrating the completion of our transformation of the city's public spaces with our free Canterbury Unlocked festival."

The festival, on 24 May, will feature live music from Hullabaloo, The Native Oysters Band and Goblin Band, an aerial theatre performance by The Great Escape, and the Mayhem Fair by Folk Lore Kent, with food markets and pop-up bars also planned.

Some fencing remains in place to allow work to continue, but the park, including the play area and public toilets, is open.

The new cafe has been built for the tenant to fit out and is not yet ready to open, but talks are under way with the previous operators, the council said.

Park gates are locked overnight between 22:00 and 04:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

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