Preston North End is to trial a smoking/vaping area at the next home matchday to allow those fans who wish to smoke, to do so in an open and safe environment.
The stadium itself remains a smoke free facility and those caught smoking or using vaping devices within the stadium, concourses or toilet facilities will be asked to leave.
However, to try and avoid problems and to allow those who wish to take advantage of this facility, the club have agreed with Lancashire Constabulary and Lancashire County Council to trial an area outside the ground where the Sir Tom Finney Stand meets the Alan Kelly Town End at the next home game against Nottingham Forest on Saturday 1st April.
This half-time facility will be available for this game, which if successful will be extended until the end of the season, where a review by the club and the regulatory authorities will take place.
The facility will be in the area outside the stadium on the hardstanding where no vehicles park. Spectators using it will have to remain within a coned and taped off area and as the club is only licensed for alcohol to be consumed within the concourse, fans cannot take alcohol outside with them.
Spectators from the Sir Tom Finney South, Alan Kelly and disabled supporters from those stands will be able to access the smoking area. Exit gates WX03, SX07, SX08 (disabled entrance) will be open and stewarded, as will outside the taped area.
Access to the smoking area will be available from five minutes before half-time until five minutes after the game re-starts.
As the area is for two stands, spectators will have to show their tickets to get back into their respective stand, so please ensure you keep hold of your ticket, those without one will not be allowed re-entry to the ground.
The area will also be assessed from a safety perspective and fans won’t be allowed access if there are problems outside the stadium or any potential problems that will cause safety/security issues at the smoking /vaping area.
The area is being trialled now, so that we can find out what works for fans and if this gets put in place permanently, to allow those who want to use it to buy season tickets in those two stands for the 2017/18 season, when they go on sale.
Finally, ash trays will be provided in the smoking area, so please use them and keep Deepdale a clean and tidy place for all who use it.
However, to try and avoid problems and to allow those who wish to take advantage of this facility, the club have agreed with Lancashire Constabulary and Lancashire County Council to trial an area outside the ground where the Sir Tom Finney Stand meets the Alan Kelly Town End at the next home game against Nottingham Forest on Saturday 1st April.
This half-time facility will be available for this game, which if successful will be extended until the end of the season, where a review by the club and the regulatory authorities will take place.
The facility will be in the area outside the stadium on the hardstanding where no vehicles park. Spectators using it will have to remain within a coned and taped off area and as the club is only licensed for alcohol to be consumed within the concourse, fans cannot take alcohol outside with them.
Spectators from the Sir Tom Finney South, Alan Kelly and disabled supporters from those stands will be able to access the smoking area. Exit gates WX03, SX07, SX08 (disabled entrance) will be open and stewarded, as will outside the taped area.
Access to the smoking area will be available from five minutes before half-time until five minutes after the game re-starts.
As the area is for two stands, spectators will have to show their tickets to get back into their respective stand, so please ensure you keep hold of your ticket, those without one will not be allowed re-entry to the ground.
The area will also be assessed from a safety perspective and fans won’t be allowed access if there are problems outside the stadium or any potential problems that will cause safety/security issues at the smoking /vaping area.
The area is being trialled now, so that we can find out what works for fans and if this gets put in place permanently, to allow those who want to use it to buy season tickets in those two stands for the 2017/18 season, when they go on sale.
Finally, ash trays will be provided in the smoking area, so please use them and keep Deepdale a clean and tidy place for all who use it.