Why does Leeds arena confiscate water bottle lids?

[MitchT]

Is there anyone in music/venue/promotions/etc. who can shed some light on this?

First time I went to Leeds First Direct Arena I bought a bottle of water inside and the bartender took the lid off and told me I couldn't have it. The excuse I was given was "artist preference". I'm struggling to believe that the artist in question had instructed the venue to refuse to let people keep the lids that come with their bottled water.

This is a complete pain because if you stand your water on the floor and knock it over, it all spills out. It's also a pain because you have no lid to stop water spilling out if there's some left at the end and you want to take it home.

On the most recent occasion those new "tethered" lids had come into being and I stood at the bar watching with amusement as the girl serving me struggled to rip it off.

Fortunately I wised up after the first time and made a point of taking a Harrogate Spring (for anyone else going to Leeds arena) lid with me to put on after buying water, but why does this stupid rule exist at all? The rule hasn't been in force every time I've been, but why have it at all?

[JoshSm]

Throwing a bottle without the lid might not work so well?

[Dave J]

so that you can’t throw a bottle of piss at the performer and secondly - and most importantly the venue can sell you a new bottle of water for £7

[Bob-iylho]

bottles are concidered a fall hazard, stand on one (on its side) in the dark and it can roll, with no lid they squash.
I asked at wembly and was given this reason.

[MitchT]

JoshSm said:

Throwing a bottle without the lid might not work so well?

I would have thought not having a lid would add value for the kind of cretin who does this as they get to shower everyone with water if there's no lid on the bottle.

Dave J said:

so that you can t throw a bottle of piss at the performer...

Except you still can and you get to shower everyone with piss on the way, which is even better for the kind of cretin who'd do such a thing.

[MitchT]

Bob-iylho said:

bottles are concidered a fall hazard, stand on one (on its side) in the dark and it can roll, with no lid they squash.
I asked at wembly and was given this reason.

So why hasn't the rule been in place at every gig I've been to?

[ChocolateFrog]

Just take a couple of bottle tops with you.

[bad company]

Same at football matches. I take a bottle top in with me.

[Mr Tidy]

It seems to be the norm these days. Water bottle tops were removed at Manchester Arena, Co-op Live and Wembley Arena.

The guy at Co-op Live was very helpful though. He gave us an empty glass (well plastic really) and pointed towards the drinking fountain!

[miniman]

Are you not able to go more than a couple of hours without water?

[bad company]

miniman said:

Are you not able to go more than a couple of hours without water?

Almost certainly yes but why should he/I?

I could go all week without a beer or 2 but I won’t.