Andrea Perez-Sobers
Senior Reporter
andrea.perez-sobers@guardian.co.tt
Queen’s Hall has rejected claims that it withdrew approval for the People’s National Movement (PNM) to hold its annual convention and carnival event at the venue, saying neither date was ever formally approved.
General manager Garfield George, in a statement to Guardian Media yesterday, said the facility’s official booking records show that neither date received final approval and, therefore, there was no confirmed booking that was later withdrawn by management.
His clarification follows claims by PNM chairman Marvin Gonzales that the party had initially received approval to use Queen’s Hall for its November 22 annual convention, only for the decision to be reversed without explanation.
Information obtained by Guardian Media shows Balisier House submitted its request for the annual convention on June 12.
Leslie Ann Jones from Queen’s Hall’s bookings department subsequently informed Balisier House that the date was unavailable because the facility was fully occupied.
The booking update was later forwarded by the administrator of Balisier House.
George said November 22 had already been allocated to the Trinidad and Tobago Music Festival Association for the concluding activities of the 36th Biennial Trinidad and Tobago Music Festival, which runs from November 1 to 22.
Similarly, the January 31, 2027 date was also already reserved for a performing-arts promoter before the PNM’s request was considered, leaving Queen’s Hall unable to approve another event for the same date.
George said the facility’s booking policy gives priority to events in the performing arts and requires applications to be assessed based on venue availability, existing reservations, the nature of the proposed event, the policy’s order of priority and the completion of contractual and financial requirements.
He also clarified that submitting an application, discussing availability, receiving a quotation or having a date considered provisionally does not amount to a confirmed booking.
“A booking is formally secured only after the prescribed approval process and booking requirements have been completed,” George said.
Gonzales had raised the issue on Saturday after the PNM’s General Council media briefing at Balisier House, accusing the Government of “politics of revenge, politics of retribution, petty politics at its lowest”.
He also claimed that approval for the PNM’s annual carnival event, which is held as a fundraiser, had been rescinded.
George rejected any suggestion that the party’s political affiliation played a role in the decisions.
“Queen’s Hall does not discriminate against any organisation based on political affiliation,” he said.
He pointed to the PNM’s anniversary event commemorating the party’s founding, held at Queen’s Hall on January 26, 2026 and attended by members of its executive, as evidence that the party had previously used the facility.
George said the decisions on the two dates were based solely on prior bookings, venue availability and the consistent application of Queen’s Hall’s Booking Policy.
“Management therefore respectfully assures the public that the decisions concerning the two requested dates were based exclusively on prior bookings, venue availability and the consistent application of Queen’s Hall’s established Booking Policy. They were not influenced by political considerations.”
Queen’s Hall said it remains committed to transparency, fairness and equal treatment in administering its facilities and is willing to engage with the PNM on alternative available dates through the normal booking process.
