There is confusion among London Stadium stewards what food and drink can be bought into the ground on West Ham match days.
The stadium operators own website says in its permitted items section that food and fruit for personal consumption is allowed and plastic bottles (sealed) and thermoses (no alcohol) are also permitted.
On Monday one West Ham supporter was stopped from taking in a Mars bar in with them after the steward told her that only food purchased within the ground could be consumed within the stadium. Another fan was prevented from bringing hot soup to a game in thermos.
In November Karren Brady tweeted in response to a complaint about food prices.
“We have a comparable club clause, so nothing can be more expensive than other London clubs but feel free to bring your own no problem at all”
Speaking to London Stadium 185 this morning a spokesman confirmed to ClaretandHugh that food for personal consumption is permitted within reason “Mars bar and soup Yes, Picnic basket No” he said adding that stewards were verbally briefed on what was and wasn’t allowed into the stadium.
More confusion surrounds whether plastic bottles are permitted or not. The London Stadium website suggests sealed non alcoholic bottles are allowed in but the operators say that information needs to be updated after a change of policy after the Chelsea game.
The policy of decanting all bottles since the trouble at the EFL cup game means that plastic bottles maybe confiscated or bottle tops removed on entry to reduce risk of them being used as missiles we were told. The operators promised they will update the information on their own website and say the policy is under constant review so could be relaxed in the future.
Never had a problem. All the Mars bar stuff is just hearsay. Wouldn’t be at all surprised if it never really happened.
I never have a problem taking in my own food. I cycle to the game so I usually have a whole rucksack with me (for cycling stuff, not just food!). The stewards tend to get bored trying to get into it and give up just asking me if I have any bottles of drink. This seems to be their focus. They don’t seem to care about food. Just as well given the slop that’s on sale in and around the ground.
Yeah that bottle top thing is really annoying, first games I was bringing a bottle of water in then I think it was well before the Chelsea game they started saying you have to take the top off, the only thing you can do is take the bottle top off in advance and stow it somewhere they won’t check then put it on again when you get inside. It is overkill especially if you are miles from the away support. The official reason I was told was not that it could be used as a missile but for health and safety reasons because if you tread on a bottle with the lid on you could slip over and fall whereas if the lid is off it is less dangerous… I haven’t had any issues getting food in though, I normally go into M&S at the Westfield and get some before the match, sandwiches, pork pies, apples etc
Having kids with us we always bring in drink cartons and chocolate bars etc and never got stopped at the Bolyen or at the London Stadium. They always check the bag but never say a word about the food and drink. They all need to get on the same page these Stewards.