The opening ceremony
72. The Dome was intended to be the centre-piece
of the Millennium celebrations and as such took centre stage on
New Year's Eve. Before considering that event, we should note
the success of the celebrations across the country on that night.
More than 4 million people enjoyed the numerous public New Year's
Eve events throughout the United Kingdom; the largest of which
was the Big Time celebrations in London, which spread along both
banks of the river Thames and into the Mall and Regent's Park.[198]
The Millennium Commission supported New Year's Eve and 'First
Weekend' celebrations in 22 cities and towns throughout the United
Kingdom.[199]
The celebrations in London and elsewhere were safe and passed
without serious incident. The Metropolitan Police Service attributed
the conduct of the large, good-natured crowds to careful organisation,
co-ordination and publicity.[200]
73. More than 10,000 people attended the Dome's official
opening on 31 December 1999, and more than 2 billion watched it
on television.[201]
The event, anticipated as being of strategic significance to the
success of the Dome's year of operation, was affected by difficulties
in issuing tickets in advance. The security forms that guests
had to complete were complicated, and consequently many were returned
to the Company late. Ms Page said that she learnt of the problems
only on 21 December, but the Company "worked five nights
without stopping" in an endeavour to rectify the problems.[202]
We regret these endeavours were not more successful. We find it
surprising that foreseeable security problems which might arise
on the evening had not long since been given greater consideration.
74. On the night itself, a significant number of
guests were delayed by congestion at Stratford station. Ms Page
told us that the problems stemmed in part from "immense concerns
about security in relation to 31 December".[203]
Mr Quarmby acknowledged that the problems "certainly took
the edge off the experience of the opening night for 2,000, 3,000
or 4,000 of our guests".[204]
The Company apologised to those who were inconvenienced and offered
them free return tickets to the Dome.[205]
Prominent members of the media were amongst those delayed at Stratford,
and opinions vary on whether their discomfort that night contributed
to subsequent negative press coverage of the Dome.[206]
In the longer term, the events of that one night can be considered
part and parcel of wider perceptions of the Dome's content.
198 
