FAN GETS BOOT FROM GIG AFTER ROW OVER COAT
Frank, 53, says he was ‘wrestled to floor’
A PAUL Weller fan claims he was wrestled to the ground and pinned down by security in a row over the cloakroom at the Victoria Hall.
Frank Lamb and his partner had paid £70 for tickets to see the former Jam frontman. But the 53-year-old was ejected before the gig started.
Tensions rose after Frank was told he could not use his Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) membership to get a discount on his drinks.
The HGV driver was then informed he could not put his jacket in the cloakroom ‘due to covid’.
It was at this point that security guards were called by the receptionist amid claims Frank was ‘aggressive’.
Frank says he was pinned to the floor before being chucked out – and his coat was ripped in the process.
However, a spokesperson for the Victoria Hall, pictured, say Frank’s behaviour towards staff was ‘unsuitable’.
Frank, from Goldenhill, said he tried to use his ATG card to get 10 per cent off his drinks – but was told it wasn’t valid if the performance had started.
He said: “I asked to speak to the manager and they agreed to let us have the discount but I could tell at that point we’d had our cards marked.
“We went down to hang our coats up. The lady on reception told us they wouldn’t take out coats because of covid. I can’t see how it’s safe to have a big venue open but not to take coats.
“I told her we pay £35 a year for ATG membership and one of the benefits is using the cloakroom for free.
“She then accused me of being aggressive and that I had to apologise or I would be ejected. I wasn’t prepared to say sorry for something I hadn’t done. I hadn’t sworn.
“She then called security and two men came in and told me I had to go. “I’d waited three years to see Paul Weller. I’d paid good money and wasn’t just going to walk away.
“They then called three more guys and told me I could either walk out or they would put me on the ground.
“That’s when they grabbed me and pushed me to the floor. I was then chucked out.”
Frank says he then had to wait in the sleet for the gig to finish and for his partner to come out.
He added: “My partner is a lifelong Paul Weller fan, she’d been wanting to see him for years. They let her go back in and watch the gig but she hated it because she knew I was standing outside waiting for her.
“If I was bladdered or aggressive then fair play but I’d only had oneand-a-half beers. It was a complete over reaction.”
A Victoria Hall spokesman said: “We can confirm an audience member was declined entry to the auditorium at the Victoria Hall Theatre this weekend, as their behaviour towards our staff was deemed unsuitable.”