FEARS of people getting so drunk that they fall into Victoria Harbour have prompted police to give a strictly limited liquor licence to the organisers of the Wan Chai Food Festival this weekend.
Chief executive officer of the Wan Chai Tenants' Association, Mark Thompson, said that after weeks of uncertainty, with sponsors and stall holders pulling out, they only learned yesterday that they would get a licence.
''Two days before the event is really short notice: now everything is going to have to be very rushed,'' he said.
Of the four food areas in the festival - Chinatown, Five Continents of the World, Wan Chai Association restaurants and the sitting out area - only the Wan Chai area would be allowed to serve beer and wine.
Mr Thompson said that area would, according to the terms of the licence, be cordoned off, with large signs warning against underage drinking, and additional security to control revellers.
Chief staff inspector for licensing, Chu Fun-wing, said the licence would be given to the organisers today ''if everything goes smoothly''.
He said police had been concerned that the area was along the waterfront and therefore unsafe.
