Choosing the pitch on open ground
Level, firm ground with clear headroom and space for a queue that does not cut across the event's main desire lines.
On grass the ballast plan changes; on a closed road, vehicle access and reinstatement come into play. Our outdoor public space and outdoor park method statements cover both settings specifically.
Crowd flow and queue design
Design the queue before the pitch is fixed, and give it a visible slot board so waiting is predictable.
At roughly 20 groups an hour, a popular free attraction at a busy public event will build a queue faster than it clears one. That is manageable with timed slots and honest signage, and unmanageable without them.
Free, timed or ticketed
Free entry maximises reach; timed slots protect the experience; ticketing suits programmes that need certainty or a revenue line.
Whichever model you choose, publish the capacity expectation. Public disappointment almost always comes from an unstated limit rather than from the limit itself.
Accessibility
The current attraction is not step-free: entry is up approximately two conventional steps, with a threshold lip of around four inches at the zipped PVC entrance.
Public programmes are usually asked to state access arrangements in advance, so it is worth publishing that plainly. We do not currently operate a purpose-built wheelchair-accessible globe, though acquiring an accessible version is under consideration. Visitors with specific access requirements should be encouraged to contact the organiser or us before attending, so arrangements can be considered.
Our crew will make reasonable efforts to assist guests, but they are event operators rather than trained manual-handling carers and should not be expected to lift wheelchair users or disabled guests. Where physical assistance is required, a parent, carer or appropriately trained support person may need to be involved.
- ❄Continuous fan and blower noise inside — a constant whooshing airflow sound
- ❄Snow settles until guests move it towards the airflow, when it circulates and then settles again; the Golden Ball globe uses ball-pit-style balls instead
- ❄White, cool-to-touch LED lighting, using high-lumen equipment; we cannot guarantee a completely flicker-free environment or offer sensory or medical assurances
- ❄Guests with particular sensory requirements are encouraged to discuss them before the event
Weather contingency
Outdoors, wind governs operation. Build a stated stand-down position into your programme copy before you publish it.
The crew monitors conditions against the method statement thresholds and closes and reopens accordingly. Our bad weather and outdoor bookings policy sets out how those decisions are made.
- ❄The attraction does not operate above 24 mph (38 km/h), and may be suspended below that on the operator's site assessment
- ❄Wind is measured on site with an anemometer before opening and re-checked during operation; a forecast informs planning but does not replace the measurement
- ❄Light showers and drizzle do not necessarily close the attraction; torrential rain means a pause, and the globe may be deflated and protected until it is safe to resume
- ❄Heavy snowfall may mean suspension or cancellation
- ❄UK summer temperatures have not historically caused us an operational problem, though high heat can soften and stretch PVC, so conditions are assessed on site
Paperwork and sign-off
Public events usually want setting-specific RAMS, public liability confirmation and evidence of equipment testing for a safety advisory group.
We supply setting-specific risk assessments and method statements on a 5x5 risk matrix, £10 million public liability cover is in place for the giant snow globe, electrical equipment is PAT tested and materials are specified as flame retardant.