Essential Information
ALL EVENT PASSES AND WRISTBANDS
Wristbands are being issued for day tickets and show tickets this year. Details of which day or show they are for will be printed on them.
It is essential that you always wear your Convention All Event Pass or wristband while inside the convention centre. If you do not have an All Event Pass or wristband you will not be allowed into the venue. All Event Passes and wristbands must not be handed to other people to use; they are for the specific use of the individual, named delegate. If anyone is found misusing All Event Passes or wristbands in this way, they will be asked to leave the event and the club associated with the misuse will be fined. If you forget your All Event Pass or wristband or lose it during the event, there will be a charge of £10 for a replacement, available from the LABBS reception desk. Please note that the venue is completely cashless, and payment will be required by card.
AUDITORIUM
Audience members will not be permitted to enter or exit the auditorium during individual performances. Please be sure to always follow the direction of event stewards.
BAG CHECKS
Bag checks may be carried out by convention centre security staff. Please allow extra time for this, and ensure you have your All Event Pass or wristband visible. If you intend to purchase or collect your All Event Pass or wristband after entry, please let security staff know and head straight to the reception desk.
BAR
The ‘main’ bar is on Level 5, opening times as follows:
- Friday: Opens 13:00. Last orders 23:45 Bar closes at 00.05 (building closed at 00:30)
- Saturday: Opens 13:00. Last orders 01:00 Bar closes 01.25 (building closed at 01:45)
- Sunday: No bar service available.
The Cold Bath beer bar can be found on Level 4, Entrance One Foyer. Opening times are to be confirmed.
BARBERTOTS
As children under the age of 5 are not allowed in the auditorium during contests, a Barbertots space is available on the Level 5 mezzanine. Carers can view the stage activity via the TV live streaming provided. A ‘Parent/Guardian with U5 Pass’ can be obtained from the reception desk to access this area. A quiet space is also available if required (no live-stream available here) - please ask at reception for details.
BOARDS/PULL UPS/BANNERS
Please do not bring as there is insufficient space to accommodate these.
BRING YOUR BRAS
We will be collecting bras again this year to help raise funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, so bring your unloved over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders and donate them to a worthy cause! You’ll find the collection area in the main foyer.
CASH
Please be aware that Harrogate Convention Centre is completely cashless, and this includes the LABBS reception desk. Contactless and card payments are accepted.
CATERING
Matcham’s Retail can be found in Hall D and on level 5, selling hot and cold food, and hot & cold drinks.
Cold food (sandwiches etc) and hot & cold drinks are available on Level 5.
Opening times are as follows:
- Friday: Hall D opens 08.00,
- Lunch service - 12:00-14:15;
- Afternoon Tea- 14:00-16:30;
- Evening meal service -16:30-18:30
- Saturday: Hall D opens 08.00.
- Lunch service 12:00-15:00;
- Afternoon Tea 14:00-17:00;
- Evening meal 16:45-19.30
- Sunday: Hall D opens 09:15 Refreshments available.
- Lunch Service 12:00 - 14:00
This year LABBS are supporting children and young people in need in this country and beyond with ‘Christmas shoeboxes’. Please bring single items to place under the Christmas tree in the foyer or a decorated and packed shoebox - do not seal this as all items will need to be checked for suitability. Please add the age of the child or young person on the underside of the box. If wrapping a shoebox, please wrap the lid and box separately and secure it with an elastic band. Fill your shoebox with a selection of fun toys, school supplies and personal care items. If possible, include one or two extra special items you know a child will love such as a doll, a small ball, a cuddly toy or deflated football with pump.
Please do NOT include the following items: toothpaste, sweets, lotions and liquids; used or damaged items; war-related items (e.g. toy guns, model soldiers, military vehicles etc.); seeds, gum, chocolate or food items; religious or political literature; medicines, aerosol cans, knives, sharp or fragile items.
CLOCK CHANGES
The clocks will have already changed the weekend prior, so how much sleep you get on Saturday night is down to you!
CLOAKROOM
A cloakroom will be available but will NOT be staffed and therefore will not be secure. LABBS members should use this facility with care and store items carefully to keep the space tidy for everyone.
COMPETITION ACCESSIBILITY
Any competitor who, due to a temporary or permanent condition, will not be able to use stairs or walk more than a short distance, must notify the chief courier before the day's competition starts, unless this has been advised during Registration. These competitors must be escorted by a helper, who may or may not be a singing member of the same chorus or quartet. Should anyone need a little more time to get to the stage that has not already been notified, they must inform the Couriers desk that they need an 'Early Call'.
DRESS RAILS
Please do not bring dress rails to the Convention centre. There is no space to store dress rails and they will not be allowed in the dressing room as space is limited and you will be asked to dismantle and remove them.
DRESSING ROOMS
There will be THREE areas:
- Women's: Kings Suite, specified area
- Men's: Queens Suite, specified area
- Gender Neutral: Queens Suite, specified area.
- Please note that no photography is allowed anywhere in any of the dressing rooms, and this rule will be strictly enforced. If you wish to take photographs, you may use the corridor outside the dressing room, but please ensure that you do not block access through this area.
- Please bring your own mirror for use in the dressing room.
- Please take special note of the rules around sprays, scents and vapes below, which will be strictly enforced.
- Please do not leave valuables in the dressing room. Your (small!) handbags and leakproof water bottle will be looked after while you are on stage (also see Water, below).
ENQUIRIES
Any enquiries prior to Convention may be directed to events@labbs.org.uk. During the event, please go to reception during the advertised opening hours.
FANCY DRESS/THEME
The fancy dress theme for Saturday night, should you choose to take part, is ‘Fireworks’.
FIRST AID
Fully qualified first aid personnel will be available during Harrogate Convention Centre opening hours. If you need first aid during the event, please go to reception or speak to a member of the Event Team.
FIRST-TIMERS
If you’ve never been to Convention before, please do go along to the First-Timers Welcome Desk in the main foyer and say hello to LABBS Board and Liaison Officers, collect your Convention First Timer badge, and pose for a selfie! Our volunteers will also be happy to talk to you a little more about Convention, and LABBS generally and answer any questions you might have.
The desk will be open as follows:
- Friday 08:15 - 19.50
- Saturday 08:30 - 17:30 & 19.45-20.15
FLOORPLANS
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Download a floorp[an of LABBS' spaces in Harrogate Convention Centre |
HARROGATE VISITOR DISCOUNT CARD
Harrogate Convention Centre offers a Visitor Discount Card which is available at the venue and can be used at various outlets around the town. Present both your card and Convention registration pass to obtain discounts on food and drink as well as at the Turkish Baths!
A full list of participating retailers can be found here: https://www.harrogateconventioncentre.co.uk/visitors/visitor-discount-offers
HC@CONVENTION
For something a little different, why not try one (or more!) of our HC@Convention sessions? A ‘light’ version of Harmony College, these fun and participatory sessions across the weekend offer the opportunity to try something new, and improve your barbershop vocal and performance skills!
Visit the What's On page for full details.
JUDGES' APPLAUSE
Please be aware that judges adopt the standard practice of not applauding contestants either between songs or after their performance. This is to allow them more time for writing meaningful notes for your evaluation, and to avoid the perception of bias or favouritism. The judges will still applaud all contestants onto the stage.
LANYARDS
Delegates attending for the first time will be given a LABBS-branded lanyard to hold their All Event Pass. All returning delegates are expected to bring their lanyards from previous events, including the plastic holder. If you have lost your lanyard, a new one can be purchased from the LABBS reception desk for £1, by card only (cash not accepted).
MARKETPLACE & FOYER
Photographs of your performance, Gifts of Note, and Craft by Hazel will be in Hall D along with London City Singers who will be fundraising.
MASS SING
Opportunities for everyone to sing together in the Auditorium on:
- Friday: 15:40-15:55 following the end of the quartet semis finals - with Delyth Knight
- Friday: 21:45-21:55 following the end of the quartet final - with Andrea Day
- Saturday:17:42-17:55 following the end of the chorus contest - with Helen Lappert and Amersham A Cappella
The following members Polecats will be sung:
- Anthem
- Bohemian Rhapsody
- Lazy Day
- Let Me be There
- Make Your Own Kind of Music
- San Francisco Bay Blues
- You Gotta Be
MOBILE PHONES
When in the auditorium please remember to switch off mobile phones, beeping alarms on watches, and anything else that makes a noise.
PARKING
Please see https://www.harrogateconventioncentre.co.uk/visitors/parking
PHOTOGRAPHY
Official photographs and copyright are included in your delegate fee. Photographs will be available to view in the #??area, Following Convention, your chorus/quartet will be sent an email with details of how to access digital images of your performance. You may use these images for publicity purposes on social media sites / websites / printed literature, unless otherwise instructed.
No photography, videography or audio recording of any kind is allowed in the auditorium, other than that officially authorised by LABBS in advance of the event. Please note, this restriction includes the use of mobile phones for photos, video, and audio recording. Please be aware that any images or videos captured on behalf of LABBS may be used for publicity purposes on LABBS social media sites, website, and in literature, unless otherwise instructed. LABBS may also authorise carefully selected third parties to use these images or videos.
Please feel free to add your own ‘social’ photos to the LABBS Members Discussion FaceBook page during the weekend.
PIN BADGES
Pin badges will be available from the reception desk. To ensure everyone gets one, please only take one pin badge per All Event Pass holder. If, for whatever reason, you end up with more than one, please return any extra ones to reception.
RECEPTION
The reception desk will be open as follows:
- Thursday: 19:15 - 20.30
- Friday: 08.15 - 19:50
- Saturday: 08.20-17:30 & 19.45 - 20.15
- Sunday: 09.00-10.30
- 50% refund for cancellations up to online registration closing date (4th September 2025).
- 25% refund for cancellations up to midnight on 30th October 2025.
- 0% refund for cancellations on or after the first day of the event (31st October 2025)
Refunds will not be approved or processed without a photo of the original registration documents (All Event Pass or wristband, cut into 2 pieces), which should be emailed to registrations@labbs.org.uk. Any refund will be paid by bank transfer or credit/debit card refund if this was the original method used.
A personal travel policy may provide cover should you need to cancel your attendance at Convention. You will need to read the Terms and Conditions.
Name Changes will be charged at £10 per person. Changes are allowed up to 17th October 2025. No changes are possible after this date. If the pass has already been printed/received then the name change will be done at the event on presentation of the original pass and proof of request and payment.
RESET SPACE AND PRAYER ROOM
Convention is great fun but if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the volume of people and all the excitement, and need a quiet, calm space to relax in, or somewhere for reflection or prayer, two rooms have been set aside:
- The ReSet space can be found in the Queen’s Suite office
- The Prayer Room can be found in Dressing Room A. This is back stage and can be accessed via the couriers desk at the top of the escalator on level 4. Users should bring their own toiletries and towel.
RISERS
There are no risers in the warm-up rooms. On stage there are 12 x 4 step risers (with side and back rails).
RESULTS
As we are minimising the use of paper where we can, we no longer produce printed copies of results. Please see the results page for electronic scoresheets which will be made available shortly after each contest or contest round. Please do not gather near the Administrative Judges table unless you have a separate query.
SHOW AND COMPETITION PERFORMANCES
Please respect performers by taking your seat before individual performances start and keeping noise to an absolute minimum in the auditorium (aside from enthusiastic applause, of course!).
SINGERS LISTS FOR CHORUS CONTEST
Chorus Singers Lists must be handed in to the Registration desk before 08:30am on Saturday. They can also be handed in at any time the desk is open on Friday which may be more convenient. Anyone who will not be present on stage should be clearly crossed out. You may add names (with membership numbers) to the list, but these will need to be checked and they must be registered with LABBS as members of your chorus. Each person on the list must also be a current and fully paid-up LABBS member and have a full weekend registration pass purchased online, to be allowed on stage.
SONGS – CHANGES TO PERFORMANCE ORDER
If, after submitting your songsheet, you change the order in which you will be performing your songs, you must inform the Administrative Judges no later than 08:30am on the morning of your contest. Should you for any reason wish to switch to singing a song that was not declared on your songsheet, you should also bring proof of copyright with you.
SOUND CHECK
If you volunteered to take part in the sound check on Thursday evening, it is due to finish by 21:30. However, if any issues arise, it will continue until issues are resolved. Please be flexible and patient while sound engineers ensure there will be no issues which will affect your contest performance, and please remain in the auditorium until released by the engineers and the E&J team. Please only attend if you signed up before the deadline of 30th September, and your place has been confirmed. If you are not on the list, or you are, but are unable to participate for any reason, you will NOT be admitted.
SPRAYS, SCENTS, AND VAPES
All attendees are reminded that aerosol sprays including hair spray and deodorant, strong scents such as perfume and aftershave, vapes, and other items likely to cause irritation and/or allergic reaction, must not be used anywhere at or in the vicinity of the convention centre, including outside the entrance to the centre. There have been instances in recent years where members have been unable to perform due to products being used by others. This rule will be strictly enforced, and you may be asked to leave the centre whether competing or not. Attendees are also asked to be mindful of strong and/or liberally applied perfumes, aftershaves, and other similar scents which are applied before attending the convention centre. They can also cause irritation and/or allergic reaction in others, for a considerable time after their application.
STAGE VIEWING
Quartet Stage/viewing time:
Due to scheduling constraints we are unable to hold any stage time or have stage viewing.
The exception to this is the allocated time for 'sound check' with a chorus and 1 quartet. This takes place between 20:00-21:30 on Thursday, which may be something you may wish to consider volunteering for (deadline for applications is 30th September).
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Full Terms and Conditions can be found on the T&Cs page.
TROPHIES
Please return cleaned and polished trophies to reception, in their original box or case. Quartet trophies must be returned on Thursday evening. Chorus trophies can be returned on Friday, but Thursday evening is preferred. Please ensure you note the name of the person you have handed the trophy to, in case of any queries at a later stage.
UNDER 18s
It is essential that the Registration Manager (registrations@labbs.org.uk) is notified of the names of any chorus member or convention attendee who is under 18 years of age and the name of whoever is directly responsible for them. This should have been done on your convention registration form, if registering at the event please supply this information at the desk. The person responsible must have an appropriate pass to enable them to be present.
UPDATES AND INFORMATION
The most up to date information and timings will be on this website - please use the menu buttons above. Updates will also be posted on Facebook and Instagram; search @singLABBS for our pages.
WATER
Competitors and performers will need to bring their own FILLED leak-proof water bottle for use in the warm-up room and elsewhere. Your water bottles will be collected as you leave for the stage and returned to you following your performance.
There are three water coolers where you will be able to refill your bottles, all located on Level 4:
- in the reception area close to the escalator,
- at the far end of Hall D,
- near the women’s changing area
