Euro fan zone like a compound, say residents

The fan zone in central Brighton has capacity for 2,000 people

People living in central Brighton have criticised the city’s football fan zone, with one resident saying it looks like a “compound”.

The arena at St Peter’s Church, which will screen games from Euro 2024, opens later and has capacity for up to 2,000 fans.

But Maxine Horn, who lives nearby, said its location is “totally wrong" due to the number of people and the noise they will make.

Chris Butler, director at organiser For the Fans, said the zone has been designed in a way which will minimise impact on residents.

“We have strict controls of the decibels we’re allowed to rise up to,” Mr Butler told BBC Radio Sussex.

He said stewards and security teams will monitor fans during and after events.

But Ms Horn said the 15-feet high panels surrounding it make it look like a "compound" and that it should have been erected on Brighton beach or East Brighton Park.

She said she feared what would happen when matches finish at about 22:00 BST.

"You’ve got the dispersal of 2,000 fans into the local streets,” she said.

Councillor David McGregor admitted he thought the panels were ugly

Simon Martin, who works nearby, said: “It’s really ugly. A lot of people here are fed up with public areas being fenced off."

But other people are supportive of the city staging events for the tournament.

“There has to be a compromise," said Daniel Glenn-Barbour.

"The Euros isn’t going on for that long. Everyone just has to think of each other."

Brighton Fringe used the space from 3 May to 2 June.

David McGregor, head of licensing at Brighton & Hove City Council, said using it as a football fan zone is a "test".

The fan zone is open from 17:00 to 22:00 on weekdays and 12:00 to 22:00 on weekends, until 14 July.

It will also host three music events.