Tramlines Sheffield: Council 'confident' Hillsborough festival is supporting city despite 'no re-entry' policy

The three-day event will return to Hillsborough Park on July 22-24 with headliners including Sam Fender, Becky Hill and Madness.

But the organizers have been criticised this week after announcing ticketholders will not be allowed to come and go as they please.

Now, Sheffield City Council has responded to calls to intervene, saying the decision rests with the organizers they would only do so if they identified safety issues.

Executive director Kate Martin said: “We know that some residents and businesses would like re-entry to be permitted at Tramlines festival, as was the policy in 2019.

"Tramlines have taken the decision to continue the entry policy adopted in 2021. The SAG [Safety Advisory Group] understands and supports Tramlines’ reasons for this, and would only advise against it if public safety issues were identified, that could not be mitigated.

The council spoke as part of the festival’s SAG, alongside South Yorkshire Police, the fire service and the ambulance service.

Kate Martin said: “Tramlines have assured us, and have procedures in place, to make sure people who need help with accessibility are supported. They’ve also listened to feedback from local people and clarified the entry terms, confirming a common sense approach so that those who might experience unforeseen or emergency situations across the weekend, including with childcare, can make arrangements to leave and re-enter.

“Over the years, as the festival has grown the council has worked hard with organisers to make sure the event remains accessible for local residents, supports local businesses, gives back to our communities and attracts world renowned acts to put on a fantastic show for the city. We’re confident that Tramlines 2022 is delivering all of that for Sheffield.”

The ‘no re-entry’ stance was a policy used in 2021 as a Covid-19 safety measure.

But residents argue it means local businesses cannot benefit from the festival, while Sheffield residents are unable to nip home as they please.

Hillsborough councillor George Lindars-Hammond says the policy threatens to “sever the local connection” with the festival and will cost Tramlines its “goodwill” with residents.

Meanwhile, a petition to scrap the policy has gained over 2,100 signatures.