Affluent London residents have opposed an Italian festival that promised pasta-making workshops, opera performances and a deli marquee, amid concerns about possible “Aperol-induced disorder”.
Emily Ceraudo, organiser of the Marzamemi Festival, had planned to bring the flavour of Sicily to Richmond Green, the historic site where King Henry VIII once held jousting contests.
Named after a picturesque Mediterranean fishing village, the festival was billed as an event for “families, food lovers, and art & design enthusiasts”.
Yet plans for live opera, wood-fired pizza and arancini drew 45 objections from local residents.
Among the concerns raised were potential anti-social behaviour, excessive noise and disruption to cricket fixtures played on the green.
Richmond upon Thames Borough Council, whose residents include celebrities such as Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jude Law and David Attenborough, has rejected Ms Ceraudo’s application for the three-day event.
“It is astonishing that anyone would even consider organising a ticketed commercial festival on the green,” NC Coleman said of the proposed event, which would have taken place near Richmond Palace, where Queen Elizabeth I died.
Richard Young, 80, voiced similar concerns, describing the site as “one of the best greens in the country” and citing its recognition in Sir Nikolaus Pevsner’s acclaimed The Buildings of England series.
Although he suggested Old Deer Park as a possible alternative, Mr Young argued that ticket prices of between £25 and £45 were incompatible with “the spirit” of a green that has traditionally remained open to the public.
Residents of a nearby road also warned that festival noise could be disruptive, adding that they are unable to install double-glazed windows because the street is listed.
Describing rugby and cricket spectators as “civilised”, one objector said: “It’s the lower grade people who come in on the tubes and get s**t-faced”.
The Marzamemi Italian festival promised Richmond upon Thames residents pasta workshops, opera performances and a deli marquee (Pictured: The event in July, 2025)
However, the application for this year’s event was rejected amid local fears of possible “Aperol-induced disorder”
The decision comes after police issued dispersal orders in the area this year, including during Halloween, to address concerns involving drugs, alcohol consumption and fireworks.
Ms Ceraudo said the festival, which attracted 2,800 people last year, was intended to be “very much family friendly”.
She said organisers had explored the possibility of an Aperol sponsorship but insisted the event ended at 8.30pm and was not centred on alcohol or music.
“It’s very much children’s activities, masterclasses, we had a chef stage, pasta workshops, a deli marquee where you can buy goods,” she told The Times.
The 42-year-old, who is half Italian, also offered concessions, reducing the planned footprint from 40 to 38 per cent of the green to allow cricket matches to continue.
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However, teams associated with The Cricketers and The Prince’s Head pubs, along with other residents, argued that cricket would still not be possible during the festival.
She proposed an 8.30pm closing time on Friday and Saturday, followed by a 6.30pm finish on Sunday.
Ms Ceraudo also offered to install acoustic monitoring equipment near the area’s mid-Georgian and 17th-century houses.
Those changes failed to win the support of the Richmond Society, Friends of Richmond Green or the council’s licensing committee.
Despite the opposition, some residents welcomed the prospect of an Italian food and opera festival.
Sara Scarrow, 27, said she understood that some festivals “can be really crazy”, but felt the Marzamemi Festival sounded like a “really nice” local event.
Longtime resident Tara Stevens also backed the application, saying that, as a mother, she appreciated the idea of a family-focused activity in Richmond.
“We have to travel to other boroughs or outside London,” she said. “There’s pasta-making classes, and there is opera singing … I mean come on, what could be more Richmond than opera performances on the green?”
She pointed out that the Richmond May Ball, which costs £200 per ticket, is held on the green each year and continues until 1am.
The charity gala attracts more than 450 guests and includes a champagne reception.
Ms Ceraudo told the Daily Mail: “I can’t stress enough that it is an event created by locals, for locals. As a mother of 3 living in Richmond, I started Marzamemi because our community deserved a premium family-centred cultural festival right on our doorstep.
“Our previous 2 years have had zero noise complaints, zero anti-social behaviour & no safety concerns whatsoever.
“The tickets are free for under 15s and general admission for adults is £9.50. It is only the adult VIP tickets that are £45, which includes food, drinks, premium seating & a goodie bag.
“We are approaching all types of brands for sponsorship – including food, soft drinks and children’s brands. It is not only Campari (Aperol).
“Richmond Council supported the event on Richmond Green so we will be trying again for 2028. There is also a strong precedent for an annual event on the Green, with live music and much later closing times.
“Old Deer Park is unfortunately not an option for us this year, so we are actively looking for a new venue. We will do a social media poll to get our loyal followers involved in the decision!”
The Daily Mail has contacted Richmond upon Thames Council for comment.