The Isle of Wight Festival has updated its policy on chairs and blankets in the Main Arena, and the changes have divided opinion among festival-goers.
Chairs and blankets are not banned, but attendees must follow a new set of rules governing their use.
The ‘land grab’ problem
Anyone who has been to the Festival in recent years will recognise that many festival-goers carry out what is often described as a ‘land grab’ in the main arena field. Blankets are laid out and chairs set up around them, often being tied together with bunting across the front to create an enclosed area.
Whilst the use of chairs and blankets is vital to those with mobility issues, once an act has finished performing and thousands of people start moving around the main arena, these enclosed areas can create huge problems for access.
Some festival-goers have criticised the changes, while others have welcomed them.
New rules for the Main Arena
During busy periods, festival-goers must fold down chairs and remove blankets for crowd safety reasons.
Staff will also direct attendees to comply with any instructions given in person, through signage, or via on-screen messaging relating to chairs and blankets.
The festival has also designated specific points within the Main Arena beyond which chairs are not permitted at any time.
No saving spots
Chairs, blankets and other items must not be used – alone or in combination – to mark out large areas.
The festival states that chairs must not be placed around blankets or arranged to reserve space, and anyone doing so will be asked to remove them.
Chairs must be freestanding, and the festival has banned the use of cable ties, elastic or bungee cords to fix them together.
Walkways and accessibility lanes must remain clear at all times.
Other areas
Chairs are permitted in Strawberry Fields, Penny Lane and Electric Ladyland, provided they do not cause any obstruction.
However, for health and safety reasons, chairs are not permitted inside the Big Top, Electro Love, or within any entrance or exit routes.
Tables and trolleys
Trolleys and Tables are now only permitted in the campsite area and not the main Festival site.
OnTheWight has approached Festival organisers for comment about the changes.
