Hotel shuts down Belfast formal after drunken antics

An independent formal, organised by year 12 pupils, was cancelled early after staff became concerned with the drunken and destructive behaviour of some of those attending.

The event took place at the Crowne Plaza in Shaw’s Bridge earlier in February, and saw the roughly 200 teenagers in attendance sent home.

Belfast Live reported that table linen was set on fire and alcohol was confiscated.

General Manager George Graham told Belfast Live that, “given the ages of those attending, no alcohol was served.” Despite this, some pupils had already come prepared with alcohol and, after the “staff and security team witnessed several instances of inappropriate behaviour,” the decision to shut down the event early was made.

One student spoke of her outrage, claiming that the event ended after only an hour and twenty minutes upon arrival. She disagreed with the hotel’s decision, arguing that they should have removed the pupils causing trouble, instead of bringing the entire event to a close.

She talked of the economic consequences of the decision with Belfast Live, saying that the formal had cost the students “over five grand” to put on, and added,  “our dresses, our suits and our essentials – make-up, hair, tan, nails – had cost so much never mind the £40 each per ticket. On top of that my mum paid £700 alone for my ‘pre-formal’ to take place which had went to waste seeing as there was basically not a formal to have a pre for.”

Despite this, the Crowne Plaza defended its decision, as George Graham concluded, “Our security team set up a patrolled area out the front of the hotel to ensure function guests got home safely. Given the safety and well-being of our guests and staff is paramount, we are confident this was a sensible decision for all involved.”

The Belfast school in question had no comment to make on the incident.