March has been an incredibly busy month at Leeds Arena, with a diverse range of events keeping our cleaning team on their toes. Here’s a look at what it’s like maintaining one of Leeds’ premier venues during some of its biggest shows.

Peter Kay (7th & 8th March)

The month kicked off with two nights of comedy from Peter Kay. Comedy shows present their own unique challenges – particularly the cleanup of drink spillages and food debris from audience members laughing while eating and drinking!

Gracie Abrams (13th March)

A particularly long 12-hour shift for the Gracie Abrams concert. With a younger demographic attending, we noticed significantly more glitter and confetti cleanup required. The extended hours were demanding but necessary to ensure the venue was pristine for the next event.

Disney On Ice (20th-23rd March)

The four-day run of Disney On Ice presented unique challenges. Not only did we have to deal with multiple shows per day, but the combination of ice maintenance and cleaning around the rink required careful coordination with the ice team. The amount of merchandise and snack packaging from families with young children meant we needed extra attention in the seating areas.

The Wombats (26th March)

The Wombats brought their indie rock energy to the arena. Post-concert cleaning involved dealing with the typical aftermath of an energetic rock show – confetti cleanup, countless plastic cups, and the general chaos that comes with a lively crowd.

Leeds Rhinos Netball vs Loughborough Lightning (30th March)

The month concluded with an exciting sporting event. Converting the arena for netball required a different cleaning approach, with special attention paid to the court surface. The quick turnaround time after the match meant our team had to work efficiently to reset the venue for its next event.

General Observations

Each event type brings its own specific cleaning requirements and challenges. From managing different audience demographics to adapting to various stage setups, our cleaning team must remain flexible and efficient. The key to success has been maintaining strong communication between team members and anticipating the unique needs of each event.

Despite the demanding schedule, witnessing the transformation of the arena from one event to another has been a rewarding experience, even if most attendees never see the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.