Westfield says sorry to shoppers after glass falls into mall
WESTFIELD Derby has reassured customers that it is safe to shop there after a pane of glass fell about 15ft from the ceiling into a mall.
It crashed down into the busy Burrows Walk at 11am on Saturday. It was the fifth time glass had fallen from the centre's ceiling.
No one was hurt in Saturday's incident.
A Westfield spokeswoman said the centre's glazing contractors, which she refused to name, had investigated the area and found there was "no immediate risk" of further glass falling.
She said a full safety check had been carried out on all glass in the centre's ceilings following last year's incident.
She said: "Westfield can confirm an incident took place at Westfield Derby on Saturday where glazing fell into a part of the mall area.
"The security and centre management team were on the scene quickly to secure the area, and no-one was injured."
One report said the glass had been knocked out by a piece of falling scaffolding, but the Westfield spokesman refused to comment on the claim.
Centre manager Janine Bone apologised to shoppers for the incident and said a full investigation was under way into the incident.
Lloyd Cassar, supervisor at Gloria Jean's Coffees in the centre, heard the glass fall.
He said: "I heard a loud smash. Everyone looked up and there were lots of people running up Burrows Walk.
"About three security people ran up. I didn't see any medics or anything like that."
Burrows Walk was cordoned off for about six hours after the glass fell, which meant Grand Cafe Caruso and hairdressers Kieran Mullin had to shut.
The walk's other shops – department store TJ Hughes and PriceLess Shoes – were able to remain open as they have other entrances.
Grand Cafe Caruso and TJ Hughes refused to comment on the incident. There was no-one available to comment at PriceLess Shoes.
During construction in February, 2007, two panes of glass smashed to the floor close to Sainsbury's after site machinery threw out a stone which broke the pane.
In May that year, a mother and child were hit by pieces of glass which fell from the centre into Copecastle Square. It is not known what caused this.
On May 31, a glass ceiling panel smashed after construction workers dropped a piece of metal on to it.
In April 2008, glass rained down from the domed roof outside Sainsbury's when it was hit by debris during work on Cinema de Lux.
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by Annoyed, Derby
Wednesday, October 07 2009, 8:50AM
“Joanne - Someone could have been seriously injured here and yet again, you twist a story to make a tenuous link to the Playhouse.
It's very, very tedious now. Move on.”
by Judge, Derby
Tuesday, October 06 2009, 12:37PM
“Did anybody ever work out what that strange smell/gas was that made people ill?”
by Joanne, Derbys
Monday, October 05 2009, 2:20PM
“It is also widely acknowledged that during the 3 years' building of Wesftfields, Derby's only world class rep theatre, Derby Playhouse, suffered about 30% drop in ticket sales during that time. Add to that, a big impact on local businesses, and the adjoining market.
Following the completion of Westfields, Stepping Out at the Playhouse broke
all box office records, which proves the point.
And yet, the city council refused to advance a relatively small payment, in Nov '07, which would have kept the theatre alive, and able to continue trading.
This was 40,000 pounds, against 340 million for a gigantic shopping centre.
If I had to choose between preserving our 60 year old professional producing theatre that attracted consistent 5* reviews nationally, and a shopping mall, there would be no competition.
In this so called drive for "regeneration" of the city- what have we all lost in the process?
In my opinion- a large chunk of the city's heritage and culture/art.”
by derbyborn, Derby, UK
Monday, October 05 2009, 2:02PM
“No work should be carried out above the malls when the centre is open - End of the matter!
Proper Permits to work should be issued that are controlled by the H&S person and strictly adhered to. It seems a bit like encouraging people ot walk under ladders.”
by Joanne, Derbys
Monday, October 05 2009, 1:35PM
“It seems that commercial profit is valued more than any other consideration in Derby now.
This shopping mall also cost ?340 million pounds.Did the city need this on that scale, in that area? It's like plonking Sheffield's Meadowhall in the middle of a town- completely out of proportion.
Personally I think Westfields overshadows local businesses, the market, and the theatre.
I also agree, there have been quite a few major safety incidents now, including huge cracks in the floor, and the glass roof caving in.
This place took 3 years to build.
What is the quality of its design, and was safety a major consideration?
It's not every day one hears about this at other shopping malls up and down the country.
this is a frightening scenario- especially in the run up to Christmas- when there are likely to be bigger crowds.
Also- the Cafe Caruso is very popular; it is a miracle no one got seriously hurt.”
by Barry Edwards, Bristol
Monday, October 05 2009, 12:47PM
“I can confirm that the glass was broken by a long metal bar possibly a scaffolding pole, as my wife was directly underneath when the incident occurred. She was unhurt as such, but was severely shaken and covered in pearls of glass. She commented on a loud bang that sounded like a bomb as the bar hit the glass.”
by Mike, Derby
Monday, October 05 2009, 12:20PM
“It is disappointing that they will not confirm the cause of the latest incident. Without knowing why it happened it is difficult to take seriously the assurance that it is safe. I also don't understand why they should refuse to name the glazing contractor.”
by CL, derby
Monday, October 05 2009, 11:38AM
“I was having a drink in the coffee shop when this happened. Upon leaving i tried to take a photograph but security warned me quite abrubtly not to take it, wish i had though because i would have gladly given it to the telegraph! someone else who was sitting by the window though did take photos though. If the pole/scaffolding piece had have come through the glass i think we would be looking at a far more serious situation, thank goodness though it's not.”
by john, mickleover
Monday, October 05 2009, 11:17AM
“I thought the council was supposed to inspect buildings to ensure they are safe?
How many pieces of glass have fallen now?
I'm amazed that "health & safety" aren't crawling all over the place and closing it to the public. Maybe all shoppers should be issued with hard hats on entry.”
by Rams Fan, Oakwood
Monday, October 05 2009, 10:44AM
“"People in glass houses shouldn't leave loose scaffolding about the place"
-Derbian proverb”