SCOTLAND’S biggest LGBT celebration was marred yesterday by a ticket “chaos” that left hundreds of revellers stranded outside the festival event at Kelvingrove Park.
Pride Glasgow organisers had to refuse people with tickets, with many being told to come back later only to be faced again with gigantic queues. At one point it is understood a group of youngsters knocked down a metal fence and “flooded” into the event.
A number of politicians attending the event have hit out demanding answers following the lack of organisation. Ged Killen MP said: “I will be writing to the organisers and to Glasgow City Council about the event.
“It’s been so poorly thought out – serious questions need to be asked about what the capacity was, how many tickets were sold and where people’s money was going.”
- READ MORE: Fury as hundreds of Glasgow Pride ticket holders refused entry after event reaches full capacity
Outraged customers have vented their frustrations at the “shambolic” organisation of the event. They accused Pride Glasgow of having no signage and guidance about how to get into the function.
Confused visitors have been left to work out what is going on via social media with other patrons.
Standard tickets for the event cost £15 and rejected customers are demanding a refund. Lasgo V Ian Van Dahl, The Sundaes, GBX and Tom Urie were all billed for Saturday.
Claire McFarlane told the Sunday Herald she waited to later to avoid queues but ended up waiting for hours, and did not get in.
She said: “I’m disappointed, angry and upset – these tickets were a gift for my partner. We had paid more and bought VIP tickets but friends who were already inside told us they’re just letting anyone in.”
Student Elaine Murdoch, 23, from Edinburgh told how she and her friends were “buzzing to attend”. However, she said: “We arrived at Kelvingrove Park and there was no signage or stewards anywhere to direct us to the entrance.
“When we eventually found the queue, we stood for half an hour before we worked out that the event was full and was one in one out with at least a two-hour wait to get to the entrance. One of the other entrances was shut as it was knocked down meaning people without tickets were able to flood in.”
- READ MORE: Fury as hundreds of Glasgow Pride ticket holders refused entry after event reaches full capacity
At 3pm on Saturday, Pride Glasgow announced it was at full capacity. On the event's official Facebook page, a status read: "At the moment the event has reached its capacity and we are unable to let anyone else in. Enjoy the sunshine and visit the band stand where we have fantastic and free entertainment. We will update here shortly. Happy Pride!" Last year more than 18,000 people took to Glasgow Green for the event, which first launched in 1996.
If complaints are lodged to Glasgow City Council’s Licensing Authority, it could seriously affect the event’s future.
A number of Glasgow politicians were attending the Kelvingrove Park as chaos unfolded.
Killen, MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, added: “Customers have been left frustrated, having paid and getting told it’s one in and one out.
“Why have they sold more than the maximum capacity of people to fit into the area?”
- READ MORE: Fury as hundreds of Glasgow Pride ticket holders refused entry after event reaches full capacity
Senior city councillor Angus Miller said: “As a local councillor for Kelvingrove, I will be raising serious questions about yesterday’s Pride Glasgow festival. I have serious concerns about the organisers’ treatment of ticket-buyers and the chaos at Kelvingrove can only have impacted negatively on local residents.”
Social media users hit out at the event for posting pictures boasting how fun the event was.
Marianne Brownlee said: “This is a tad insensitive – here’s what you’re missing out on – to the thousands of people who paid for tickets but weren’t allowed in.”
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