Carol-singing Brownies and Guides have been banned from a shopping centre because they are considered to be a health and safety risk. The girls, age five to teenagers, have sung for pensioners and disabled people at a late night Christmas shopping event at the Marlowes centre in Hemel Hempstead every year for more than 20 years.
However, the centre's managers have not invited the group of more than 100 members of the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides back this year because they fear they will obstruct fire escape routes. Regional Guides Division Commissioner Gill Oxtoby said, "It is a big event for us. Last year we had more than 100 girls and the shoppers really enjoyed the singing. It's such a shame because it's been a long tradition going on for more than 20 years and has allowed the girls to give some service to the community. We weren't even told that we couldn't attend. I went to ask what date it was and that's when I found out."
Bosses at the centre say a new Christmas tree positioned outside New Look, combined with new mobile trade stalls, has limited the number of performers it can host at one time. Marketing manager Eileen Gannon said, "With changes made to the centre's Christmas decorations and trade units there simply isn't space for a huge number of performers. We're disappointed, but our priority has to be the safety of people inside the centre."
