Belvoir Castle vows to review its fireworks event after deluge of complaints
Belvoir Castle say it will be reviewing the organisation of its annual fireworks event after a deluge of complaints about lengthy traffic delays and the quality of the display on Friday night.
The start of the event, which this year was held in a new area of the estate in Ladies Field, was put back half-an-hour to 8.30pm because of queuing traffic but it appears that many were still unable to get in.
Attendees inundated the Belvoir Castle website during the evening to complain about a variety of issues including the way the parking was marshalled, the muddy conditions where vehicles had to park and the length of the display.
Some paid more than £100 to bring their family to the event and many were demanding to get their money back although the castle said ‘we’re pleased that many people enjoyed the celebrations’.
Philippa Wallis posted on the Belvoir Castle Facebook page: “This was the worst fireworks display and outdoor event I have ever been to - absolutely shameful!
"I would have had more enjoyment from simply setting fire to the £36 I paid to attend.
“There was no sign of traffic control measures in place leading to a 7 mile journey taking over an hour."
Elizabeth Arden commented: “Flippin' awful traffic for those of us who live in the vicinity and trying to get home... just diabolical!!”
And Selina Kuddus posted: “This was an absolute disaster of an event. Traffic queued for miles - had to abandon the car at the Belvoir castle car park and walk 2k to get to the most pathetic fire I’ve ever seen.”
Another unhappy attendee was Adrian Large, who commented: “Appalling!! Queued from 6.30pm until 8.15pm in barely crawling traffic with pre-paid tickets. Having finally arrived at the marshalled car park entrance we were instructed to not enter with our vehicle but leave.”
KL Holmes posted: “Dragged my whole family out for this. Travelled for over an hour thinking I would be making brilliant memories. Instead we hit ridiculous traffic, queued for ages until we eventually gave up over fears of getting stuck. Two very sad little girls and a very grumpy mum.”
Councillor Don Pritchett, member for Bottesford ward on Melton Borough Council posted on Facebook: “I have received a number of complaints about gridlock and general chaos at the Belvoir firework display tonight.
"This will be reported Monday to the Police and Licensing team at Melton Borough Council.”
In response to the complaints, Belvoir Castle posted on its Facebook page: “We acknowledge that there have been complaints regarding our Bonfire Night event held on 7th November.
“The event was extremely popular, and we’re pleased that many people enjoyed the celebrations.
"However, we recognise that the weather conditions created some difficulties with on-site parking and delays to entering the site.
“We take all concerns and feedback from our visitors very seriously.
"We will be reviewing the event and taking on board all feedback to help us improve our events for everyone in the future."
The castle advises anyone who wants to comment about their experience at the fireworks event to email [email protected] to let them know.