In July 2023, the UK descended into Barbie-mania.

Hollywood stars including Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, hundreds of A-list celebrities, plus thousands of fans, all flocked to the pink carpet in Leicester Square. Eager to see the highly anticipated premiere of this year’s biggest blockbuster.

There were certainly a lot of people in quite a small space.

Yet, it’s fair to say, it was Barbie’s Best. Day. Ever. The premiere was a huge success. Everything went ahead without a glitch, the crowds were controlled safely and smoothly, and attendees knew exactly where to go and when… thanks to our pink barrier ropes.

 

 

Yep, that’s right.

Check out any of the photos or videos of the star-studded event and that’s our crowd control ropes you can see in the background. In fact, we also supplied pink braided rope for the film itself – and we’re absolutely thrilled to have played a part (however small!) in this record-breaking female-dominated movie!

 

Got your own event coming up? Something as big and high-profile as the London Barbie premiere? Or maybe something a little more humble? Or perhaps you manage a busy venue or attraction?

Whatever the details, if you need to control high traffic areas and guide large crowds of people, our PolySilk barrier ropes are one of the easiest ways to do so – safely and efficiently, without detracting from the overall aesthetics of your event or location. Read on to find out why.

 

Why invest in our PolySilk?

Planning a massive event or running a large venue can be an exciting task, but it’s also a big responsibility. Put a lot of people together in one space and things can quickly get out of hand. Which is why, it’s crucial to keep the crowd under control and safe at all times.

The key is to create an orderly, organised environment and maintain that organisation throughout the event – and a rope barrier is one of the easiest ways to do that.

For example, they can be used to:

 

• Create an event layout

A barrier system is an effective way to map out and control any entrance, exit and holding points.

Attendees can be funnelled in the right direction from the off-set – ensuring people are unable to bypass any entry or security systems you have in place. And designated areas (e.g. restricted areas, VIP areas etc.) can be easily defined, making it clear where attendees are permitted to go.

 

• Promote the flow of traffic

Lanes for incoming and outgoing eventgoers can be clearly established using rope barriers. Combined with adequate signage, this will ensure a smooth flow of people – reducing the likelihood of any confusion among attendees and preventing any unnecessary (or unsafe) congestion.

 

• Organise queues

Barrier posts and ropes are a great way to create a specific place for people to line up at events, maintaining an orderly and relaxed atmosphere and helping to direct the flow of foot traffic in busy areas.

 

• Emergency planning

At any large event, it’s essential to put emergency protocols in place.

Rope barriers are one of the simplest ways to keep emergency access pathways and evacuation routes clear. By keeping members of the general public out of these areas, the ropes ensure authorised personnel (e.g. medics, police etc.) can act quickly in the event of an emergency.

 

Forget about velvet ropes or natural fibres. Here at RopesDirect, we’ve recently added a brand new range of barrier ropes to our online collection – which we call PolySilk. A soft and luxurious, traditional three-strand rope, which is suitable for use indoors and outdoors and primarily designed for queue and access control.

 

 

 

Made from high quality materials, these crowd control ropes are incredibly strong and durable. The multifilament polypropylene fibres are fully weather and UV-resistant. And even if subject to the rigours of crowds and busy public spaces, they’re capable of withstanding significant wear and tear for long periods of time.

They’re a pretty convenient option, too.

We currently stock our PolySilk in ready-made lengths (1.2m, 1.5m, 1.8m and 2.4m) with the relevant brassware (i.e. hooks or trigger hooks) pre-fitted. Which means, they’re ready to be clipped onto your chosen barrier posts – creating a quick, simple rope barricade wherever you choose, with the option to effortlessly move them and reconfigure the layout whenever you wish.

Alternatively, they’re available to buy by the metre – allowing you to purchase a bespoke rope length that meets your exact requirements (with brassware sold separately).

We have seven beautiful colours to choose from – including (Barbie) pink, red, purple, white, black, silver grey and navy. Fittings are also available in several different finishes, including either chrome or brass effect, as well as matt black and black nickel – allowing you to easily coordinate with the theme of your event. And despite their luxuriousness and elegance, we’re able to offer our PolySilk for just £6 per metre (July 2024).

 

 

PolySilk – a global rope barrier phenomenon

The London Barbie premiere is certainly one of the most high-profile and impressive events at which our PolySilk ropes have been used to organise floor space. But over the last few years, they’ve sure been a global hit, popping up everywhere from UK theatres to 5* hotels in the US.

Think they might be the ideal crowd control solution for you?

Further insight into the full range can be found throughout our website, including in our recent blog ‘PolySilk Barrier Ropes – the latest addition to our line-up’. So if you’re unsure whether they’re the best choice for your requirements, it’s worth taking a look at this extra info.

Our ‘Help Choosing Rope’ section can also assist in pointing you in the right direction. However, if you have a specific question – about indoor and outdoor barrier ropes, crowd management in general or anything else – you’re always welcome to get in touch. Simply send an email to info@ropesdirect.co.uk and we’ll respond to your enquiry as soon as possible.

We also love to see our barrier ropes in situ. So if you do place an order, be sure to forward a few pictures of the post and rope barricades at your event or venue, or tag us on social media using @RopesDirect for a chance to feature in our blog.