Waterstones' BookFest 2025 faced severe overcrowding and mismanagement, resulting in attendees expressing their dissatisfaction and feelings of danger. Customers noted a lack of clear direction and signage, which contributed to chaotic conditions. Reports indicated that an author suffered a panic attack due to the atmosphere, while many left feeling distressed. Waterstones acknowledged the complaints and apologized, promising to learn from the experience, yet maintained that attendees' safety was not at risk. The free event was intended for readers to meet authors and engage with publishers, but logistical failure overshadowed its potential.
Bookfest was so... SO badly organised... there were no clear lines, there was barging and arguments, none of the staff knew anything so we had to find things out from people scouting ahead who also had no idea what was going on, it was horrific!!!!!
It was absolutely hell on earth. An author had a panic attack and left. The accessibility and health and safety were non existent and people left in tears.
Over 2k people interacted with the BookFest announcement so you should have been prepared for that level of BF attendees at least. There were no signs, no planning, nothing.
Bookfest 2025 was an ABSOLUTE joke yesterday. The chaos was next level, it was so disorganised, crowded, it was dangerous. I feel bad for all the authors and publishers that were there. There's no way that was safe.
Collection
[
|
...
]