Ooh Stick You!

Also in the year 2000, teeny-boppers Daphne and Celeste did a P.A in the Bargate outside Sega Park. I note they were bottled off at Reading in the same year but sadly that did not occur in Southampton.

I don't wanna Rock DJ.....

In the year 2000 Bargate Centre played Robbie William's "Rock DJ" video uncut on its TV screens....

ROBBIE VIDEO IS SHOCK AT SHOPS ANGRY shoppers have slammed bosses at a Southampton shopping centre for screening a music video that was deemed too gory for daytime television. The video, which accompanies Rock DJ, the new single from Robbie Williams, pictured, shows the pop star apparently ripping off his own skin and throwing it to female onlookers to eat. The BBC refused to play the full-length version on Top Of the Pops, screening it late on Saturday night instead. But bosses at the Bargate Centre in the Southampton say it appeals to youngsters and insist on playing it on 92 of their 108 TV screens every three hours. Shocked mum Lorrayne _____ saw the video while on a day trip to Southampton with her 17-month old son Thomas last Sunday. "I stood there open-mouthed not believing what I was seeing at lunchtime on a weekend. I was totally shocked. I know my son is only 17 months old but he still pays attention. I realised what it was and walked away. I complained and they apologised and said they would stop showing it." Lorrayne, 26, who lives in Winton in Bournemouth, added: "I am not against the people who make it but it was irresponsible that it was shown when it was. Anybody could have walked in and gone to see it. I don't think I should have had it rammed down my throat." Plumber Ron _____, 40, of Dale Valley Road, Southampton, was passing through the shopping centre when he saw the video. "You don't expect to see that kind of thing when you are out shopping. I thought it was offensive, and I was disgusted that it was being shown at that time of day," he said. Mr _____, who has an 11-year-old son, added: "I complained but I don't know what they intend to do about it." Marketing Manager for the Bargate Centre Adam Merrifield said: "We feel it is in keeping with the youthful image of the centre. "We care about all our shoppers but the Bargate is aimed at the under-35 market. We are not here to make moral judgements and the ITC have not banned it. "The video was made for young people and Robbie Williams's concerts are selling out, he is famous and very much a part of youth culture."If Robbie Williams is happy to make the video, then who are we to refuse to show it. We are being sensitive - we don't play it in our restaurant area." But he hinted that he would consider banning the video if complaints continued. Bosses at the shopping centre plan to give £30 gift vouchers to Mr ____ and Mrs _____ after their experiences.

CHILDREN 'IN TEARS' AFTER SEEING ROBBIE'S NEW VIDEO Shoppers at the Bargate Centre in Southampton branded Robbie Williams' new video "disgusting and offensive" following a showing on the centre's giant video screens. The video for 'Rock DJ' features the star slowly undressing, then tearing off his own flesh and flinging it to the assembled throng of adoring females. Shown throughout the day on 92 huge television screens in the shopping centre, the video reportedly alarmed children, some of whom were reported to have run from the centre in tears. 28-year- old mother Lorrayne _____ said: "I stood there open mouthed, not believing what I was seeing. I was totally shocked. It's irresponsible to show it." However, manager of the shopping centre Andy Merryfield defended his decision to show the video saying, "If he's happy to make the video, who are we to refuse to show it?"

Err...well it was rated "15" by the BBFC so showing the video where it can be publicly viewed by underage kids is breaking the law. I remember they also showed Rhazel's "All I Know" video; great track! :)

Bargate Man

Whatever happened to him? Saw him on the front page of the Southampton Advertiser circa 1998 but not a peep since! :_: Edit: Well it was actually 1999, 10 June to be exact. Here's a clipping below; had to edit it as I can't find the guy to seek his permission.

With thanks to Southampton Central Library for looking in their archives.

This used to be my playground.....