Sam Fender and Fontaines DC Belfast gigs in doubt over 'safety arrangements'
Major gigs by the likes of Sam Fender and Fontaines DC in Belfast this summer could be in doubt due to a disagreement over "health and safety arrangements". Music events at the council-owned Boucher Road Playing Fields previously used a neighbouring site, held by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS), as an emergency exit point.But this time the fire service has not given Belfast City Council (BCC) consent to use the site, BBC News NI understands.The NIFRS and council said they were "engaging" in a bid to resolve the issue and ensure "the necessary health and safety arrangements can be put in place".
The playing fields regularly hosts major gigs with audiences of about 40,000 people.Several big concerts are planned for this summer including Sam Fender, Fontaines DC supported by Kneecap and the two-day Farmer's Bash festival.
A site beside the playing fields - a former NIFRS training centre - has been used in previous years as an access and exit route.The land is owned by the council and leased to the fire service.It vacated the site last year after opening a new training facility outside Cookstown, County Tyrone.The disagreement over access to the Belfast site centres on safety and security matters.It is also understood the fire service has questioned whether using the site would impact on a rates discount for unoccupied properties.
'Process of divestment'
In a statement, a spokeswoman for the NIFRS said the site was "currently going through a process of divestment"."NIFRS has vacated the site and would be supportive of an agreement that would see the lease revert to Belfast City Council control, enabling the necessary health and safety arrangements to be put in place for the summer shows," she added."NIFRS continues to engage with Belfast City Council and other stakeholders, around the divestment process and the events scheduled at Boucher Playing Fields."A council spokeswoman said: "The council has been engaging with NIFRS with a view to ensuring that the necessary health and safety arrangements can be put in place for these concerts."This includes access through the NIFRS site for emergency exit purposes."As part of efforts to resolve matters, it is understood the council also approached Stormont's Department of Health, which oversees the NIFRS.A health department spokeswoman said: "This is an issue for NIFRS and its board."MCD Productions, which is planning some of the concerts at the playing fields this summer, was also approached for comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Manchester United legend RETIRES from football at age 37 after winning three Premier League titles and the Champions League
A Manchester United legend has retired from football after leaving the club at the end of his contract. Ruben Amorim 's side are currently reeling from a disastrous post-season tour of Malaysia, that was rocked by speculation over the future of Bruno Fernandes and incidents involving Alejandro Garnacho and Amad. However, when the club look to bounce back next season they will be doing it without one of the most experienced players. On Saturday it was announced that Jonny Evans would be retiring from football ahead of the expiry of his contract at the end of June. Evans made over 240 appearances in all competitions across two spells at Old Trafford, winning three Premier League titles and the FA Cup. The 37-year-old bows out as one of the most decorated Northern Irish footballers in history, and represented his country 107 times at senior level.
BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
Man runs from Leeds to London to see Sam Fender in concert
There are a number of methods of travelling to a concert, but the chances are, the average music fan hasn't considered an how Andy Hobson, 34, is planning to reach the London Stadium next Friday. He is running from his hometown of Leeds to London to see Sam Fender in journey will start outside the Brudenell Social Club on Saturday, and will end on the 6 June in the Olympic Park in east London, where Fender is 252 mile (407km) journey will be in support of the Music Venue Trust, a charity which acts to protect UK grassroots music venues, and which Andy believes he "owes his life to" during struggles with his mental health. Andy, who works in the emergency services, was not originally planning the marathon fundraiser when he bought tickets to see Fender play in London, as part of his People Watching tour. He said: "I bought the ticket and instantly I thought, I wonder if I can run from Leeds to London?". Andy is using the challenge to raise money for grassroot music venues "to help make a difference to that sector"."I loved going to music venues, especially small independent ones, when I was struggling with my mental health," he said."On a particular day, when I wasn't feeling too great, I would book a tickets for the most random gig."I knew I would go into those places and feel a sense of community, so I wanted to create a fundraiser to help make a difference to that sector - which I felt like, at the time I was struggling, I owe my life to it" he addition, Fender is donating £1 from every ticket sale sold for the UK dates to the charity, something which "reinforced" Andy's decision. During the week-long journey, Andy will start and end each leg at a different music venue, including the Leadmill in Sheffield which recently announced it is leaving its current music and podcasts will power Andy through the challenge, which he plans to break into 10-hour running shifts. He said the financial outlay he has spent on equipment will be another incentive to complete the challenge. "Once I get stuff like the clothing and branding - being a Yorkshire man - it gets me thinking, I have paid for it now - so I have to do the job now. I have got to see it through."Even in the difficult bits, I will think, I have paid for this top - I have to do it now!" So which Sam Fender songs will provide Andy with inspiration on his journey?"Seventeen Going Under will feel like such a big song. But recently, off his latest album, Nostalgia's Lie has been quite a good song for me."It feels very relevant to this journey. I'm sort of looking towards my future self, if that makes sense?" Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders pulled by Game, but Amazon steps in with fresh restock
It's gone from hype to headache for some fans. With the Nintendo Switch 2 launching in a matter of days, UK retailer Game has abruptly cancelled pre-orders, leaving customers scrambling just days before release. The company has apologised and says 'it's working to reinstate as many orders as possible', but hasn't provided a reason for the cancellations. The cancellations come as Game continues to scale back its UK presence. Since being bought by Frasers Group, most standalone shops have shut down, with the remaining ones folded into Sports Direct and House of Fraser branches. In April, the company also closed its Basingstoke head office and warehouse, auctioning off equipment and fittings. If you pre-ordered through Game, you should check your order status now, and if you're now racing to find a new pre-order, you'll need to move fast. The window to receive a console on release day is starting to close. But it's not all doom and gloom. The console is back in stock at Amazon, and Smyths Toys has announced it will open at midnight at all UK shops on 5 June, with click-and-collect pre-orders ready from 12:01am and limited walk-in stock available too. A handful of branches – including Boucher Road (Belfast), Glasgow, Stockport, Romford and Hull will open even earlier at 11pm on 4 June for demo events, where the first 100 fans can try Mario Kart World before launch and bag a free goodie bag. If you're still hoping to pre-order or grab a console on launch day, I'm rounding up all the retailers with live stock below, plus the best accessories and bundles to pair with your new console. This page is constantly updated with the latest drops. Where to pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 in the UK The Switch 2 keeps the same hybrid design as the original. You can play it handheld or dock it to your TV, but there are some improvements to the hardware. The new Switch has a bigger 7.9in HDR-ready LCD screen, 256GB of internal storage, and improved performance. The big change is a new pair of magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers. Unlike the original Switch, these new Joy-Cons can be used like computer mice, offering new ways to play and interact with the console. The standalone Nintendo Switch 2 console includes everything you need to get going. It comes with the console, the dock, a pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers, and a grip that turns the controllers into a single pad for comfort. It's backwards compatible with your existing Switch library, and now supports 4K output when docked. In our hands-on preview, The Independent 's Steve Hogarty called it 'a different beast entirely', praising the performance, visuals, and the Joy-Con 2's mouse-style control trick. Right now, the standalone console is coming in and out of stock at Amazon and the My Nintendo Store, though you'll need an active Switch Online membership (was £6.99, now £5.99, to secure it. If you don't mind pre-ordering a bundle, you can also pick up a console from Currys. Nintendo's official Switch 2 bundle includes everything you get with the standalone console (the device, Joy-Con 2 controllers, grip, dock and cables) plus a digital download code for Mario Kart World. The game normally costs £79.99, so you save about £40 by picking up the bundle instead. In our hands-on preview, The Independent's Steve Hogarty called Mario Kart World 'the most exciting' of the new titles. 'It's absolutely massive,' he wrote, praising the expanded roster, new vehicle types, and the game's ability to let players drift across water, not just under it as in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. He also said Mario Kart 'looks spectacular on the big screen,' especially when docked and running in 4K at 120Hz. Right now, the official Mario Kart World bundle is coming in and out of stock at Amazon and the My Nintendo Store, though you'll need an active Switch Online membership to purchase it (was £6.99, now £5.99, Don't have a Switch Online account? Currys also has one bundle in stock. Best Nintendo Switch 2 bundles But that's not all. Other retailers are offering the Switch 2 as part of bigger launch bundles, with some retailers packaging the console alongside extra Joy-Cons, charging docks, the new Switch 2 camera and additional games. Right now, Currys is the only retailer with the Nintendo Switch 2 in stock, though it is part of a bigger, more expensive bundle. Currys Nintendo Switch 2 bundles Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Kart World, Switch 2 camera and microSD Express memory card: £579, Currys doesn't have the standalone Switch 2 console or the official Mario Kart World bundle in stock, but it's offering one larger bundle with added extras. It includes Mario Kart World, Street Fighter 6, the Switch 2 camera, a microSD Express memory card, a carrying case and a screen protector for £579. It's available for home delivery on release day, but it can't be collected in-store. Check Nintendo Switch 2 stock at other UK retailers Amazon: In stock now My Nintendo Store: Coming in and out of stock for Switch Online members Currys: In stock now The Game Collection: Sold out on Friday, 30 May Very: Sold out on Thursday, 22 May ShopTo: Sold out on Sunday, 25 May AO: Sold out on Friday, 30 May Smyths Toys: Sold out on Tuesday, 27 May EE: Bundles sold out on Wednesday, 21 May JD Williams: Sold out on Thursday, 15 May John Lewis: Sold out on Wednesday, 14 May Kaleidoscope: Sold out on Sunday, 13 April H MV: Sold out on Tuesday, 13 May Game: Restock sold out on Wednesday, 16 April Best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories and games Now that you've successfully pre-ordered a Nintendo Switch 2, you're probably looking to grab some accessories and new games to go with it. Nintendo is also selling extra storage, charging grips, Joy-Con 2 controllers, and the Switch 2 camera. Donkey Kong Bananza, which is releasing in July, is also available to pre-order. The only other Switch 2 exclusive other than Mario Kart World is Donkey Kong Bananza. Launching on 17 July, Bananza is a fresh 3D platformer with a twist. As The Independent 's Steve Hogarty wrote in his hands-on preview, 'you can punch holes through rock to burrow a path toward your objective and pick up chunks of earth to hurl at enemies, leaving gaping, permanent holes in the landscape as you smash your way around levels'. The result is a game that feels part Minecraft, part classic Donkey Kong, with a fully destructible world that encourages chaotic exploration. The redesigned Switch 2 Pro Controller sees some big improvements over the original Switch Pro controller. It's a more traditional-looking gaming pad with better thumbsticks, extra durability, a new button for multiplayer social features, added shoulder buttons, and improved rumble effects. The Switch 2 camera lets you video chat with friends during multiplayer games. A few launch titles make use of it too, like Super Mario Party Jamboree, where it lets you appear inside minigames to balance Goombas on your head and sing karaoke songs with friends. The Switch 2 comes with 256GB of internal storage. This can quickly fill up with downloaded games, so it's worth investing in some added storage. Nintendo's official SanDisk microSD card comes with another 256GB of storage, with fast read and write speeds that work seamlessly with the Switch 2. Exclusive to the My Nintendo Store, the GameCube controller brings a touch of nostalgia to your console setup. Whether you're revisiting classics or just prefer the old-school layout, it's a must-have for long-time Nintendo fans. This official My Nintendo Store exclusive is designed to hold everything you need for TV-mode play, including the Switch 2 console, the dock, Joy-Con 2 controllers, various cables, and up to six game cards. Its structured interior keeps your gear secure and organised, making it ideal for travel or tidy storage at home. Don't need an entire travel kit? The official option from Nintendo includes a screen protector and cleaning cloth, with room inside for up to six game cards and two Joy-Con 2 straps.
