Health and Safety: Merry Marylebone

Background

For Christmas 2022, OPS supported We Are Placemaking, in addition to the Howard de Walden Estate, to safely deliver the annual light switch on event, Merry Marylebone. To celebrate, over 59 local retailers and restaurants came together to sell/promote their products and services for all to indulge in. Additionally, there was a main stage showcasing a range of local talent, with a guest appearance from Fearne Cotton. Further entertainment included, an exciting Santa’s Grotto, multiple fairground rides, and roaming street performers.

OPS worked with Howard de Walden to produce suitable and sufficient documentation for the event, including a risk assessment and fire risk assessment, in addition to the provision of 2 x Safety Advisors during the build, live and break periods.

Challenges

• Although a number of road closures were implemented for the event, pedestrians were still able to pass through. Train strikes on the event day also meant that pedestrian traffic was higher than usual. This meant that compliance from all staff and suppliers had to be rife throughout the build and break periods when equipment, vehicle movement and other hazards would be present. This was closely monitored by the Event Safety Advisor, Production Manager and Security team to ensure any issues were flagged and resolved.

• During set-up, all stallholders arrived within the same time periods, this raised the issue of certain areas potentially becoming congested. Zone managers monitored their own areas and answered any queries to ensure all involved were happy.

• During the live event, there was a significantly growing queue forming for the Ferris wheel, particularly when the nearby school finished for the day. There had been PED line set up to manage the queue prior to opening, however the queue began to exceed this. We therefore had to work with the event stewards and security to ensure the queuing customers were directed to form a sensible queue and to answer any queries until a further line could be made.

• Similarly to previous years, a custom stage was built for the multiple acts and the switch on moment. However, the build, live and break all had to be facilitated within the same day, which meant we were limited on site. The Safety Advisor had to work closely with the Event Manager to ensure the stage was complete within sufficient time, but that it was built safely throughout.

Delivery

• Onsite Health and Safety during element of the build, break and live show

• Event Risk Assessment

• Fire Risk Assessment

• Supplier Auditing, including the documentation review of over 50 stallholders

Results

• Positive feedback from the stallholders involved

• Successful event and switch on moment