London’s O2 Arena “could be closed for months” after suffering significant damage to it’s roof during Storm Eunice.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) crews secured the area with more than 1,000 people evacuated from the Greenwich venue on Friday.
A statement on the venue’s website states: “Due to adverse weather conditions, we can confirm that there has been some damage caused to the tent fabric in our roof at The O2,”
“The affected areas have been cleared and The O2 will remain closed tomorrow [Saturday] morning whilst urgent repairs take place,”
“The safety of our visitors remains of paramount importance, and we will continue to assess the ongoing situation and act accordingly.”
Speaking on their frightful experience one employee said: “We were inside and the wind just ripped off the roof, it was whipped off – it sounded like a huge whooshing sound and then suddenly everything was exposed. It was in a part of the shopping centre so all the public had to be evacuated and staff are heading home.”
Another said that they had been warned the O2 could be closed “for a few months”.
The news now leaves a host of concerts and sporting events in limbo with artists like Dave and UB40 scheduled to perform next week at the 20,000 capacity arena.
