A couple attending the Hogmanay Street Party in Edinburgh have branded the event a “health and safety nightmare.”
The pair, who wish to remain anonymous, claim that their tickets were not checked and that large groups of people without tickets were able to get into the event due to the disorganisation of staff on the ground.
They said that they attempted to have their ticket checked but that staff seemed uninterested in making sure that those who had paid for the event were gaining access and those that had not were denied.
READ MORE: Callous Edinburgh crooks steal man's treasured bike he built with his father
Once inside the event, they said that their “petite” partner was almost “crushed and trampled on” as the crowd numbers got out of hand on Princes Street by the mound.
As a matter of principle they have asked organisers, UniqueAssembly who produce Edinburgh’s Hogmanay on behalf of Edinburgh City Council, to offer them a refund and to accept responsibility for creating a dangerous situation for those in attendance.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, they said: “I have serious concerns about the way we were treated on the night of December 31 2022 at the Hogmanay Street Party event in Edinburgh, as it was a health and safety nightmare.
“We arrived at our designated gate at approximately 8.30pm and our tickets were, in no way, checked nor were the tickets of a group of about five in front of us. This is despite me trying to encourage the staff members who hurried us through the gates to check them and having said tickets ready for inspection.
“One gentleman in front of us actually phoned someone as soon as he entered the gated area past security and was clearly heard laughing about how he got away with getting in without a ticket.”
The couple were desperate to attend the event as new residents in the capital and after missing out on the Street Party last year.
They continued: “I would argue that staff were far more interested in getting people in and bags checked than making sure people got in who had tickets.
“We ended up on Princess Street near the merchandise stand. The reality is that it was a dangerous place to be.
“People were crushed and unable to move and it got progressively worse as more people were crammed in. My partner and I were having to hug one another as there was no room to stand next to each other.
“I would also add that the quality and sound levels of music in this area were particularly poor as a speaker clearly did not work. We very quickly realised how dangerous this was becoming so made a decision to leave and this was also a highly stressful moment as there were pushes, throngs of people trying to shove their way through each other and a build up of way too many people in one area.
“Leaving from our position was as dangerous as simply staying. I was worried my petite partner was going to be crushed or trampled on.
“We went towards one of the George Street exits only to be told by multiple staff in orange jackets that there was no way out. I challenged one eventually to explain how we could leave and their tone was dismissive and rude as if we were causing issues by simply wanting to leave.
“This member of staff said they could not let us leave this way but refused to explain where to go only to say ‘not here’ despite me asking for their help multiple times. On reflection, I should have caused a disturbance as I would likely have been shown the exit quicker but, unfortunately, I am too kind even in the face of poor customer service.
“There were supposed to be properly designated pathways but due to the amount of people these were not accessible. I eventually found police officers who very kindly showed me where the exit was and I thankfully got out of the area.”
They continued to say that they did not believe that there were stringent enough checks completed on people entering the event and this led to overcrowding and unsafe conditions. It was also claimed that those with tickets were not asked to produce them.
They also said: “As such, I would like a full refund as I did not have delivered what I paid for. Furthermore, I paid for a service that I know others got for free because you let them in for free by not checking tickets at the mound entrance.”
Directors of UniqueAssembly responded by saying: “The Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party is unlike other festival events due to a large festival size crowd being located within city centre streets rather than an open green field space. This brings with it particular challenges and during the event UniqueAssembly work in conjunction with the Edinburgh City Council and Police Scotland as well as specialist event stewards, event safety officers and other blue light services to ensure crowd safety is never compromised.
“Tickets were scanned where possible and visibly checked by Event Stewards on all entrance gates. Only official Edinburgh’s Hogmanay tickets permitted entry to the events.
“We were monitoring the whole Street Party arena all evening. As soon as it became apparent that a section of the event, around a prime viewing spot, was getting very busy we closed that gate and opened another entrance in a quieter area.
“Safety lanes are located on either side of the streets throughout the arena, which can be opened to alleviate crowd pressure when required and lanes were opened in this area to allow audience members safe access out of the busy areas and into sections which had lower audience numbers in them.
“The barrier lane system is in place for this very reason and sections throughout the Street Party can be opened or closed as required to increase crowd movement either naturally by crowd dynamics or deliberately by event stewards. The measures put in place did work and congestions levels eased.
“However, we are aware that this situation may have been uncomfortable and upsetting for some of those caught up in the crowd at this time and we apologise for any distress felt as a result of this.
“Overall our feedback is showing that despite the challenging weather conditions, the vast majority of the 40,000 revellers in the Street Party and Concert in the Gardens enjoyed their night dancing to live DJ sets relayed on big screens along the length of West Princes Street (as advertised), watching fireworks lift from Edinburgh Castle at 9:00pm, 10:00pm and 11:00pm before cheering in the New Year to a spectacular 10 minute Midnight Moment with Fireworks from Edinburgh Castle and a rousing rendition of Auld Lang Syne.”
READ NEXT:
Depraved East Lothian dad who took nude photos of six-year-old daughter snared by police
East Lothian resident shares busted up Audi A4 abandoned on rural road
Edinburgh artist snaps unsettling wooden figures in popular woodland
Edinburgh Pizza owner offers free pizzas to everyone in the city
Pictures show popular Edinburgh park pond overflowing days after storm
