Anger at umbrella ban at wet JLS concert

11:50am Wednesday 29th August 2012 in News By Anna Roberts, Crime reporter

Concert-goers were banned from taking umbrellas into Monday’s JLS concert – because they posed a health and safety risk.

As the heaven’s opened, revellers were told by security staff that they had to leave their brollies outside the PROBIZ County Ground in Eaton Road, Hove.

One security staff member on the site said: “It is for health and safety. There are a lot of children here and if you were dancing with an umbrella it could hurt them.”

A mother in the cricket ground said: “I was told by security that if you opened an umbrella it could take a child’s eye out.”

A reporter from The Argus was asked if they had an umbrella as they arrived – luckily they did not.

But hundreds of people did and they were piled high outside the stadium as the rain poured down.

Karen Gleeson, 54, of Lancing, said: “It was raining and we were told we were not allowed to take an umbrella in. It is a bit silly because it was pouring down.”

Another man said: “I cannot talk – I have to look through this pile of umbrellas for mine.”

A 14-year-old girl said: “They made me hand my umbrella in at the gate. I was so annoyed.

“They didn’t really explain why I was not allowed an umbrella. If they are going to take my umbrella they should explain why.”

Yesterday the Health and Safety Executive said they did not have rules enforcing the “no umbrella” policy.

A spokesman for Spin Publicity, which organised the event, said it was their own policy. He said: “We do not allow umbrellas in. It is a health and safety issue.

“The first bank of brollies that go up mean that every one behind them cannot see. Also if you opened one in a crowd you could take an eye out. That’s the long and short of it.”

Comments(15)

John Fallon says...
12:16pm Wed 29 Aug 12

Good job this ban was not in operation at the Olympic stadium.

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john5001 says...
12:20pm Wed 29 Aug 12

good

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censored says...
12:26pm Wed 29 Aug 12

Good. Umbrellas do hurt people in a crowd.

But more importantly, they block the view of people behind.

Hugely anti-social things

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Crystal Ball says...
12:35pm Wed 29 Aug 12

No wonder umbrellas were needed, JLS are pretty wet themselves.

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SteveUK says...
12:42pm Wed 29 Aug 12

Could anyone from Spin Publicity state exactly how many eyes have been "taken out" by umbrellas in the history of mankind?

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mustaphaLeeko says...
1:00pm Wed 29 Aug 12

SteveUK wrote:
Could anyone from Spin Publicity state exactly how many eyes have been "taken out" by umbrellas in the history of mankind?
Probably lots, umbrellas have LOTS of sharp points on them, the end of every rib for example as well as the top, so about 15 or so per umbrella, as well as being extremely unsociable when people are trying to see a concert.

Well done to Spin Publicity in my opinion, and s*d off to the moaners, bring a hat next time!

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Metro Reader says...
1:09pm Wed 29 Aug 12

I was going the make a comment my brolly got in the way.

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kopite_rob says...
1:59pm Wed 29 Aug 12

I'm glad some common sense has prevailed.
I've been to a few open air events where unless you're in the front row you see nothing once theres a few spots of rain.
As someone's already said "if you don't want to get wet, wear a hat"

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Cyril Bolleaux says...
2:30pm Wed 29 Aug 12

The point about hats is not quite right - I wore my pickelhaube in order to keep dry but was refused entry.

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Roger Francais says...
2:38pm Wed 29 Aug 12

My sources tell me Aston Merrygold is taking a healthy lifestyle option and after some years has given up the fags.

A solo career beckons then?

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Jason* says...
7:48pm Wed 29 Aug 12

I would like to think it's pretty obvious why you wouldn't even consider taking an umbrella into a confined outdoor space likely to be crowded with other people trying to view and enjoy a show. Whatever happened to common sense and respect for others...??!

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tonybee says...
2:06am Thu 30 Aug 12

Ein Pickelhauble mein frunde ?

The Gateaux in the Chateau ....????

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lemonsherbet says...
12:17pm Thu 30 Aug 12

I was at the concert with my daughter, and we were asked if we had umbrellas, I did have one in my bag and told them that I wouldn't take it out if thats what the rules were, but they still confiscated it. I was told that I could try and find it afterwards and he threw it behind a bin along with many others. After the concert we were told that we couldn't use that exit and that all the umbrellas had been bagged up and removed. As it was more of a family event I think they could have let us take them in to the ground as responsible adults and if somene had put them up then they could be removed. It did rain and we did get wet but we had a great time, just a bit miffed that I had to go out and buy a new umbrella.

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Voice of Wisdom says...
12:30pm Thu 30 Aug 12

Spin Publicity got it dead right, the bottom line is umbrellas block the view of people behind. It goes with the territory of open air concerts, if it rains you get wet,simple. From what I understand there were many young children at the event and viewing the stage would have been difficult even without all those umbrellas. Maybe the moaners should have read the terms ad conditions of their tickets next time.

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hovelawns says...
5:45pm Thu 30 Aug 12

shows how selfish people are: - I want to use My umbrella so I dont get rain spots. I dont care that I block the view of other insignificant people around Me. I am more important.

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