Cosplay and Reenactors Policy

Please exercise caution when selecting weapons and props for an event. As costumers and event participants, we understand that you don’t wish to cause fear or alarm with your costume choices. However, the public may sometimes misinterpret the intent behind a costume or prop. Therefore, we recommend being mindful of your selections and adhere to our weapons and props policy during the event.

Re-enactment groups and their props are discussed in an addendum below. It's important to distinguish between re-enactors and cosplayers. Generally, cosplayers are not trained in handling props and have less reason to carry imitation firearms and similar items. For everyone's safety, the rules for cosplayers are more restrictive.

Please understand that our staff are aware of these differences. If cosplayers attempt to bypass the weapons policy by claiming to be re-enactors, they will still be subject to the rules governing cosplayers and may face penalties for violating the policy.

Please do not bring anything on-site that could be considered illegal under the Offensive Weapons Act.https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/186911/Knives_and_offensive_weapons_information_GDS_FAQ.pdf

The list below is an indication and is not exclusive.

Please do not bring:

• Wooden or metal bats
• Daggers or blades
• Bokken
• Wooden swords
• Metal swords
• Replica firearms
  Deactivated firearms
• Live firearms
• Active BB guns
• Any prop gun without an orange cap. (We will have electrical tape to cap guns)
• Crossbows
• Any strung bow (prop bows without draw are acceptable)
• Please ensure any arrows are secure in their quiver and cannot be pulled out
• Solid staves ( please use PVC or larp foam for construction)
• Spears
• Solid mallets
• Batons
• Sword sticks
• Knuckle dusters
• Boot knives

(Re-enactors see the addendum below with regards deactivated firearms, real swords and so on)

Alien pulse rifles, Star Wars blasters, and similar props are allowed if they are not converted BB guns. They must be safe, non-firing replicas, and NERF blasters should be without ammunition. All props must comply with the weapons check policy in this document.

There will be a prop storage facility available, and some props may be used for photoshoots in the cosplay area with supervision, at the management's discretion. If you bring an illegal weapon to the site, it may be confiscated and handed over to the police. Alternatively, you may only be permitted to leave the site with the weapon in a private car or taxi headed to your home.

Oversize costumes/Costumes with limited visibility

Some costumes can be truly amazing, but they also come with risks. If your costume limits your movement or visibility, please ensure you have a spotter with you. Additionally, if your costume is too large to fit through a standard domestic door, you should also have a spotter. For exceptionally large or wide costumes, it may be necessary to have more than one spotter.

Re-enactment Addendum
(where applicable)
We do not wish to exclude re-enactment groups from our events. In these cases, we will make special exceptions: properly deactivated or realistic firearms are allowed without an orange tip, but they must be carried appropriately. If you need to leave the building for any reason, such as smoking or eating, we ask that you either leave the item with us or secure it in your weapons case, as many re-enactors do.

When it comes to melee weapons, we also make exceptions for blunted real weapons. We recognize that trained, professional re-enactors are generally safe with such items, but carrying them must adhere to the guidelines mentioned above.

It is expected that you will follow the standard safety procedures outlined by your re-enactment groups.

In summary, items deemed safe for re-enactment will be allowed under these conditions. Our primary goal is to ensure the safety of everyone involved, including yourselves.

Re-enactment Groups

Re-enactment groups present the lowest risk regarding weapon safety. While it’s essential to remain within legal guidelines, professional reenactors are experienced in handling their weapons at large public events. They take precautions to ensure their props are not taken by the public and that they do not leave them in unmonitored areas where they could be misused.

Authorised groups carrying props and weapons fall within our safety parameters, especially when accompanied by a designated spotter while moving around the venue.