Latest news with #BetaSquad
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trafford Centre statement after chaotic crowd surge at opening of world's largest JD Sports
The Trafford Centre has issued a statement after a crowd surged forward into a new JD Sports store during its official opening. More than 1,000 people had gathered outside the enormous store to watch it being opened by Usain Bolt and YouTubers Beta Squad. The atmosphere reached massive excitement as attendees raced up and down a track outside the store, while fans screamed ecstatically. READ MORE: LIVE updates as M60 drivers face long delays following serious crash which saw seven taken to hospital READ MORE: LIVE updates as the Red Arrows fly over the North West Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE All the doors at the new outlet were opened for crowds to enter in along the entire length of the new shop. In a statement issued after the chaotic scenes this morning, a spokesperson for the Trafford Centre said: "There was a lot of excitement moments after the store officially opened, and we did see a small section of the crowd move quickly into the store. "Our officers were on hand to manage this, and we are pleased that everyone was able to enjoy the launch safely." After a 10 second countdown to the opening the crowd surged forward with one group seen running into the store, with others piling in behind them. People at the front were propelled forward by those behind with the entire crowd, which appeared to be made up mostly of teenagers and children, piling into the store in what seemed like a matter of seconds. Fortunately the store was large enough to accommodate the enormous influx of visitors. The Trafford Centre spokesperson added: 'The JD launch was incredibly popular this morning, and we had robust plans in place to ensure the health and safety of everyone, which is always our absolute priority. "We reactively restricted numbers to the area, had barriers in place, and deployed significant numbers of extra security staff and police officers to ensure crowd safety. "We'd like to reassure everyone that events of this size are always planned rigorously, with contingencies in place, and health and safety is always at the forefront of all our plans.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Air raid sirens, surging crowds and Usain Bolt greet Trafford Centre's new JD Sports
Surging crowds, Usain Bolt, YouTubers, and air raid sirens heralded the opening of a new JD Sports store in the Trafford Centre. An enormous swell of over a 1,000 people gathered outside this morning (June 7). Many were young fans who had come to see the YouTube group Beta Squad who had been drafted in to open up the shop. Usain Bolt, whose 2009 record in the 150m set in Manchester still stands, was on hand to declare the new superstore open - which is now the largest JD Sports. READ MORE: LIVE updates as M60 drivers face long delays following serious crash which saw seven taken to hospital READ MORE: Fuelled by booze and cocaine, remorseless thug made women's lives miserable Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE A crowd was spread out all down the front of the shop, lining a race track which had been set out. Volunteers were selected from the crowd to run a relay down between Team Bolt and Team Beta Squad, with Team Bolt claiming victory. Excitement was rising, with the crowd screaming as Beta Squad ran up and down for high fives. Finally, after a countdown from 10, the crowd surged forward like a breaker roaring towards the shoreline, overwhelming staff who had been positioned to "drip feed" customers in. Every door to the enormous shop was opened, and those gathered outside moved forward as one. Any plan to let people in gradually appeared to disintegrate under the sheer force of the crowd with people at the front pushed forward by those behind. As the chaos unfolded the noise of an air raid siren began playing over the PA system, lending the feverish atmosphere an almost apocalyptic air. Fortunately, the cavernous shop appeared large enough to absorb the crowd's momentum, and they disappeared inside. Over a thousand people had gathered outside, and all of them piled into the shop in what felt like a matter of seconds. Families had come from across Greater Manchester and beyond, many of them taking the kids to see their favourite YouTubers. Mark Coker, 38, brought his daughter from Birkenhead. He said: "It was crowded. It was mad because they came round saying they would let people in a few at a time, but as soon as the store opens that was it, barriers down they pushed through." Dave Jones, 47, came from the Wirral with his daughter. He said: "My daughter was happy because she high-fived one of the Beta Squad." Steph Casey, 42, brought her son Joe Taylor, 15, to see Beta Squad. Joe said: "It was good, I was upstairs watching it. I wanted to see Beta Squad." Steph added: "His friends have been here since 6 this morning so they managed to get in." Some people also came to catch a glimpse of Olympic icon Usain Bolt. Sarah Shard, 40, had cycled from Droylsden. She said: "I came to see Usain Bolt, but I've just missed him! I cycled about nine miles!" James Air, JD's Director of Group Acquisitions, commented: 'This new store at Trafford Centre was a true statement of intent. It's our biggest, boldest space to date – and it happened in the city where our journey began. This is JD at its very best: fashion-forward, community-focused, and pushing the boundaries of retail.' Simon Layton, Centre Director at Trafford Centre, added: 'We were incredibly proud to welcome the world's largest JD to Trafford Centre. This flagship store is a game-changer, not just for Manchester but for the retail landscape. With immersive displays, expert staff and dynamic services, JD set a whole new standard for what an in-store experience should be.'
Sky News
11-03-2025
- Sky News
Yung Filly: British YouTuber and rapper denies sexual assault charges in Australia
British YouTuber and rapper Yung Filly has pleaded not guilty to multiple sexual assault charges in Australia. The internet personality, whose real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, appeared before Perth Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. According to court documents, he pleaded not guilty to three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, one of strangulation and four counts of sexual penetration without consent. He will appear before the higher district court on 13 June. The 29-year-old has been on bail since October last year after he allegedly sexually assaulted a woman in her 20s in his hotel room, following a performance at a venue in a Perth suburb. The attack is alleged to have taken place on 28 September, when Barrientos was on tour. During a court hearing in October, Barrientos was granted bail with strict conditions and a personal undertaking of 100,000 Australian dollars (£52,000), alongside a surety of the same amount. According to court documents, Barrientos pleaded guilty to a reckless driving charge on 5 December. He was clocked driving at more than 96mph on the Roe Highway on 17 November. Barrientos rose to fame as a social media personality and rapper and has appeared on several BBC shows. He is known for working with Beta Squad - a YouTube collective. He has also featured on Soccer Aid and The Great Celebrity Bake Off For Stand Up To Cancer on Channel 4.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Yung Filly pleads not guilty to sexual assault charges
British rapper and internet personality Yung Filly has pleaded not guilty to multiple sexual assault charges in Western Australia. The star, whose real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, appeared before Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Court documents revealed he pleaded not guilty to three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, one of strangulation and four counts of sexual penetration without consent. He will appear before the state's higher district court on 13 June. The rapper and YouTuber has been on bail since October 2024 after allegedly sexually assaulting a woman aged in her 20s in his hotel room after he performed at a venue in Hillarys, a coastal suburb of Perth. The attack is alleged to have taken place on Saturday 28 September. He is best known for his work with the YouTube collective Beta Squad and has presented shows on BBC Three. Barrientos was in Australia touring his music at the time of the alleged offences. He has also appeared in the UK on Soccer Aid on ITV and The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer on Channel 4. He also won a Mobo Award for best media personality in 2021.
BBC News
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Yung Filly: Rapper and YouTuber pleads not guilty to sexual assault charges
British rapper and internet personality Yung Filly has pleaded not guilty to multiple sexual assault charges in Western star, whose real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, appeared before Perth Magistrates Court on documents revealed he pleaded not guilty to three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, one of strangulation and four counts of sexual penetration without will appear before the state's higher district court on 13 rapper and YouTuber has been on bail since October 2024 after allegedly sexually assaulting a woman aged in her 20s in his hotel room after he performed at a venue in Hillarys, a coastal suburb of attack is alleged to have taken place on Saturday 28 is best known for his work with the YouTube collective Beta Squad and has presented shows on BBC was in Australia touring his music at the time of the alleged has also appeared in the UK on Soccer Aid on ITV and The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer on Channel also won a Mobo Award for best media personality in 2021.
