Funfair sets up next to Ricoh Arena's coronavirus testing centre in time for half-termCoventry residents have slammed a funfair being set-up for half-term - just yards from a Covid-19 testing centre.
The Pleasureland Theme Park fair has arrived in the car park of the Ricoh Arena as the number of coronavirus cases in Coventry continues to rise.
It will run from October 22 to November 1.
But some residents have blasted the decision to set up the funfair for the half-term holidays just a stone’s throw away from the regional Covid-19 testing site on the other side of the A444 as“barmy”.
The stadium is also the home of Wasps Rugby Club, where 11 players and three staff members are currently self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus.
Tommy Wilson, owner of the Pleasureland Theme Park experience which is run by Wilson’s Amusements, said his fair met all the Government requirements to make it Covid safe and people had more chance of catching the virus while shopping.
Owner Tommy Wilson said: “We are one of the safest fairs in the country, our cleaning regimes are second to none and we do everything we can to keep our customers safe.
“We operate a wrist band policy to keep numbers down, we are running at 60 per cent capacity so social distancing is easier to maintain.
“There’s hand sanitisers on every ride and stall, which we make people use, and we clean the rides regularly with an industrial cleaning sanitiser which lasts for 28 days.
“I have my children and grandchildren here and I am not going to do anything to jeopardise their health.”
Mr Wilson added: “You are more likely to catch the virus in your local Tesco with lots of people handling the same items and putting them back on shelves.
“I understand some people are still frightened but we must find a way to keep going. Everybody who has visited our fairs this year has given us tremendous feedback on how safe they felt. We meet all health and safety guidelines.
“The testing centre just happens to be over the road after the Ricoh moved the car park location at the last minute.
“There’s not much we can do about that but we continue to operate in a safe and responsible manner.”