T IN THE Park bosses have been accused of risking revellers’ health by allowing them to pre-order up to 24 cans of lager or cider a day.
The alcohol deal could potentially allow music fans to consume in four days what health experts would only consider advisable if drunk over at least 13 weeks.
The online service – “Be Chilled” – allows fans to arrive at the festival and pick up their drinks for the campsite area, rather than having to take them.
Revellers are able to pre-order up to 24 cans of Tennants or Magners cider to be collected at a specified area when they arrive.
A single order of four cans of Tennants will cost fans £4.50 whilst a four cans of Magners is slightly more expensive at £4.70.
Alternatively, you can buy 24 cans in bulk at a cost of £27 or £28 respectively.
Campers will have to enjoy their booze within the confines of the campsite as event rules prohibit them taking food or drink with them into the music arena.
The 24 can per day allowance equates to about 192 units, based on a 500ml can of Tennents containing two units. But men and women are now advised not to drink more than 14 units a week.
Alison Douglas, Chief Executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: “Allowing so much alcohol to be available at this event encourages excessive drinking and puts the health and safety of all festival-goers at risk.
“We need to question why alcohol companies are allowed to sponsor cultural and sporting events that have a particular appeal to young people.”
Perth and Kinross Councillor Willie Wilson also expressed concern.
He said: “That’s roughly 32 units [a day] and the recommended guidelines for an adult male are just two to three units a day.”
T in the Park organisers stressed that people who order their booze in bulk beforehand were usually buying not just for themselves but for large groups.
Colin Rodger, the head of events at DF Concerts said: “The facts speak for themselves and what we see is that what you’re describing (the ordering of a large quantity of cans for one person) is not what’s happening.”
Perth and Kinross Council’s licensing board members gave their backing for all 15 bars in the grounds, including a new pirate-themed pub and an on site supermarket.
Last year’s festival was plagued with serious problems in its first year at the new Strathallan Castle site in Auchterarder.
A 22-year-old man was arrested after shocking footage emerged which appeared to show him swinging a glass bottle at another man’s head causing him to stagger off, holding his bleeding face.
Footage also emerged from the campsite last year which appeared to show a man rolling around uncontrollably whilst under the influence of drugs before a single note had been played.
Friends of the man reported that he had taken ‘half a tablet’ before his bizarre actions and had spent £460 on his ticket and preparations for the event.
The weekend was marred by the death of 36-year-old man who was discovered in the toilets at the campsite.
There were six serious assaults at the 2015 event compared to one in each of the festival’s previous three years which it was reported police said could have been linked been linked to a hallucinogenic drug.
The popular festival will run from July 8-11 this summer with Scottish superstar DJ set to headline alongside the Stone Roses and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
