Party own goal

“UNSAFE” - so Christmas party guests were told they couldn’t use the new North Stand

CHRISTMAS was cancelled for excited partygoers who turned up at Oldham Athletic’s new stand to find the new venue had been pronounced “unsafe”.

Companies who had booked the new Oldham Events Centre for their Christmas knees-ups found out only when they arrived on Friday evening. Around three companies are believed to have booked parties at the “Winter Wonderland” events, for which the venue was due to be used for the first time. But a late safety check identified a concern.

One of the companies involved, Royton-based PJR Windows, had a party of 16 staff arrive. The company’s Noel Mahon said: “I arrived before 7pm and Latics staff were outside. They told me I should tell my taxi not to leave because the night was off. I said I had 14 people on their way.

“They told me there had been a health and safety inspection and there was a problem, so they couldn’t let us in. I stood in the cold waiting for staff to come and had to tell them the news.

“I was shocked and upset. We paid a lot of money for the night. I spoke to the club at 4pm that day and they didn’t mention anything and said they were looking forward to seeing us.

“I understand if it’s not safe they can’t open, but surely we could have had a bit of warning.

“We were lucky to get a last-minute table at the Blue Tiffin, but I feel sorry for the other people — who had bigger numbers. They might have ended up going home. They’ve said we could go back on another date, but I don’t think so.”

The event offered guests a meal, food and entertainment and was marketed, ironically, by the club as a “hassle-free experience from the moment you inquire until you depart”.

A statement by the club read: “The Oldham Event Centre has been unable to open as planned due to a Health and Safety issue. Despite best endeavours, this issue was not remedied to enable safe public use of the first floor for the events this weekend.

“Guests who arrived last night will be fully compensated and will be invited to enjoy the facilities at a later date as OEC guests. The matter is now in the process of being resolved so the facilities can be opened as soon as possible.”

The stand’s completion has been plagued by delays.