Latest news with #ChelmsfordCityLive
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'I had to watch Justin Timberlake from a car park'
A concert-goer who "had to watch Justin Timberlake perform from a car park" has said music venues need to do more to make sure they are accessible to disabled fans. Sara Stacey had booked tickets to see Timberlake and Olly Murs headline last week's Chelmsford City Live festival when they went on sale in September. But she said she ended up leaving Timberlake's gig early after watching the start of the set from behind a wire fence in a car park because of a lack of accessibility inside Chelmsford City Racecourse. The Essex venue has apologised and asked Ms Stacey for her advice to prevent similar issues in the future. The 39-year-old from Wickford said she had visited the racecourse before without issue, but her experience meant she decided not to return to see Olly Murs perform on Sunday. "I'd been trying to get tickets for Justin and Olly at the O2, but disabled tickets are so hard to get, so when I saw they were coming to Chelmsford, I thought it was brilliant," she said. However, when she got there, she said as there was gravel on the ground instead of hard flooring, her powerchair got stuck. She said she returned to the car park because "that was the only place I would be able to go to see it". She added: "I stayed for a little bit and got really upset that I wasn't able to see it. I've been able to see more of it from people's recordings than in real life." Ms Stacey, a diversity and inclusion officer, said she had never faced accessibility problems at any music venue before and would be taking the racecourse up on its offer for her to return and give advice. Chelmsford City Racecourse said it was "deeply disappointed" it could not resolve Ms Stacey's issues on Friday night. "Inclusivity to all our events is something Chelmsford City Racecourse takes very seriously, and as Sara has previously experienced, we have a good track record of delivering accessible events," it said. "For Chelmsford City Live, we aimed to deliver more accessible provisions than ever before, which is why we are deeply disappointed we didn't meet Sara's needs." The racecourse previously apologised to Timberlake fans who reported facing long delays as they tried to leave the concert. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Fans 'stranded' after Justin Timberlake concert Justin Timberlake fans travel from US to Essex for concert Why are so many world-famous music stars performing in Essex? Chelmsford City Racecourse
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Justin Timberlake fan 'had to watch Essex gig from car park'
A concert-goer who "had to watch Justin Timberlake perform from a car park" has said music venues need to do more to make sure they are accessible to disabled Stacey had booked tickets to see Timberlake and Olly Murs headline last week's Chelmsford City Live festival when they went on sale in she said she ended up leaving Timberlake's gig early after watching the start of the set from behind a wire fence in a car park because of a lack of accessibility inside Chelmsford City Essex venue has apologised and asked Ms Stacey for her advice to prevent similar issues in the future. The 39-year-old from Wickford said she had visited the racecourse before without issue, but her experience meant she decided not to return to see Olly Murs perform on Sunday."I'd been trying to get tickets for Justin and Olly at the O2, but disabled tickets are so hard to get, so when I saw they were coming to Chelmsford, I thought it was brilliant," she when she got there, she said as there was gravel on the ground instead of hard flooring, her powerchair got stuck. She said she returned to the car park because "that was the only place I would be able to go to see it".She added: "I stayed for a little bit and got really upset that I wasn't able to see it. I've been able to see more of it from people's recordings than in real life."Ms Stacey, a diversity and inclusion officer, said she had never faced accessibility problems at any music venue before and would be taking the racecourse up on its offer for her to return and give advice. 'Good track record' Chelmsford City Racecourse said it was "deeply disappointed" it could not resolve Ms Stacey's issues on Friday night."Inclusivity to all our events is something Chelmsford City Racecourse takes very seriously, and as Sara has previously experienced, we have a good track record of delivering accessible events," it said."For Chelmsford City Live, we aimed to deliver more accessible provisions than ever before, which is why we are deeply disappointed we didn't meet Sara's needs."The racecourse previously apologised to Timberlake fans who reported facing long delays as they tried to leave the concert. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Chaos at Essex Duran Duran concert as ticket holders stuck in queues
THOUSANDS of music fans faced chaotic scenes at Chelmsford City Racecourse today as admission delays hit the Chelmsford City Live event featuring headliners Duran Duran. VIP ticket holders, who paid hundreds of pounds for premium access, were still queuing to enter the venue at 2.30pm despite gates being scheduled to open at 2pm. The delays created significant bottlenecks at security checkpoints and ticket verification points, causing knock-on effects for general admission ticket holders due to enter at 3pm. One frustrated VIP ticket holder described the situation as "an utter shambles," telling reporters: "We bought these tickets to beat the chaos and now we're in the middle of this." The entry problems come just 24 hours after traffic gridlock around the racecourse left some Justin Timberlake fans missing the start of Friday night's concert. The traffic chaos prompted Essex Police to implement emergency measures including rolling roadblocks on the A131. The admission delays highlight ongoing logistical challenges at the venue, which is hosting back-to-back major concerts as part of the Chelmsford City Live series. Tonight's event features support from Nile Rodgers and Chic alongside headliners Duran Duran. Long queues of ticket holders were seen snaking around the racecourse perimeter as security staff struggled to process the volume of people arriving for the popular 1980s band's performance. The delays particularly affected those who had paid premium prices for VIP packages, which typically promise expedited entry and exclusive facilities. Many expressed frustration at being caught up in the same queues as general admission ticket holders. Event organisers have not yet responded to requests for comment about the admission problems or what measures are being taken to prevent similar issues at future events. The problems cap a difficult weekend for the venue, which has faced criticism over its handling of large-scale events. Friday's Justin Timberlake concert saw some fans reporting waits of several hours to exit the car parks, with police forced to intervene to manage traffic flow. Essex Police confirmed they will continue to maintain their presence around the racecourse this weekend to support traffic management and public safety operations. The venue regularly hosts major music events as part of its summer concert series, attracting thousands of visitors to the Essex location.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Car fire may disrupt journeys to Timberlake gig
People heading to a music festival headlined by Justin Timberlake have been warned to expect travel delays due to a car fire. Crews were called to the blaze at about 18:35 BST, near the Tesco roundabout on the A131 at Great Notley in Essex. The fire affected about 400 yards (365m) of surrounding grassland, temporarily closing the road in both directions, a spokesperson for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said. Up to 25,000 people are expected to watch artists at Chelmsford City Live throughout the weekend. Timberlake is due to headline the event at Chelmsford City Racecourse on Friday; Duran Duran top the bill on Saturday, and Olly Murs is due to headline on Sunday. At 20:15, a stretch of the southbound carriageway was still closed. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Crowds prepare for Justin Timberlake at festival Essex County Fire & Rescue Service Essex Police
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Fans 'stranded' after Justin Timberlake's Chelmsford concert
Music fans have reported facing long delays as they tried to leave a Justin Timberlake ten-time Grammy Award winner performed at Chelmsford City Racecourse, in Essex, on Friday evening as part of Chelmsford City Live. But afterwards frustrated concert-goers said it had taken several hours to leave car parks as streams of vehicles queued for exits. One post claimed people were "stranded in a field".Chelmsford City Live's promoters and the racecourse have been approached for comment. Timberlake was the headliner on the first night of the three-day event, attracting a crowd of about 25,000. Traffic issues had begun before the concert, when a car fire on the A131 caused the event, as fans tried to head home, car parks became gridlocked as vehicles which had earlier been marshalled into rows tried to move post said: "Justin Timberlake was brilliant but the whole evening has been overshadowed by the poorly managed traffic." Duran Duran, Nile Rodgers & Chic and JC Stewart take to the stage on Saturday. Witham-born singer Olly Murs said performing on Sunday would be the biggest gig he had ever done in Essex. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
