Music

Disabled Westlife fans told to ‘stand or leave’ after seating confusion at Glasgow gig


Disabled Westlife fans told to ‘stand or leave’ after seating confusion (Picture: Rex)

Disabled Westlife fans were told to either ‘stand or leave’ after they were left with no seats when attending the boy band’s concert.

The show took place at the SSE Hydro, in Glasgow, on Tuesday, and it seems as though punters were left disappointed when finding no chairs had arrived at the venue.

Organisers have claimed there were transport issues on the night, and the group have since explained they were left with the ultimatum of either going ahead with the gig or postponing it.

They obviously chose to play on, despite this meaning a number of fans were sent home after spending up to £200 on tickets.

Sophie Campbell attended the show with her disabled mother Margo, and claimed that they were unable to access a wheelchair.

She told The Mirror: ‘I don’t go to concerts to stand because my asthma is too bad, small enclosed spaces don’t work for me.

‘I was told when I got here I could stand or get a full refund. That’s all.’

Some fans paid up to £200 to find there was no seats (Picture: Getty Images)

Sophie added: ‘I asked for a wheelchair for my disabled mother and was told she can either deal with it and stand or go home and come back to the Hydro tomorrow for a refund.

‘So I’ve got to drive all way back to Glasgow for a refund.’

Addressing the crowd before getting started, Westlife said: ‘We’ve had some local crew come in through the night, through the day from Scotland to help rig this, to get it up for you guys here tonight, to make sure that we could do a show for you guys.

‘The options were literally at seven o’clock tonight no show or go out and give them the show that we could give them, which would mean standing on the floor for you guys.’

‘Rather than send you all home and postpone it for another night we thought genuinely let’s get out,’ they explained before adding: ‘I hope you don’t mind and let’s give it a great show, so thank you Glasgow.’

The venue have since apologised (Picture: Facebook / SSE Hydro)

‘We wanted this show to be the first show on the UK mainland, we didn’t want to change that, so thank you for that.’

Prior to the gig, SSE Hydro had released a statement, which told fans what had happened.

This read: ‘Due to transport delays, the seating layout for the Westlife show this evening has been changed.

‘The event was originally fully seated and is now a seated and standing show.’

It continued: ‘If you are unable to stand or prefer not to, you will be entitled to a full refund from your original point of purchase.

‘Westlife are delighted to be back in Glasgow and are very much looking forward to what will be a great night.

‘On behalf of the promoter of the event we apologise for any frustration or disappointment this may cause and appreciate your understanding.’

Metro.co.uk have reached out to both Westlife and SSE Hydro for further comment. 



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