Why not have some T in Ayr? Racecourse could be one- off venue
going for them.
The all- year- round facilities at Ayr – the stands, enclosures, admin offices, bars, kitchens, dining rooms, toilets and - very importantly, good access roads and hard surfaced parking – gives it a huge edge.
The three ‘ T in the Park’ venues so far – Strathclyde Park, Balado Airfield in Kinross and Strathallan Castle in Perthshire – didn’t even come close in ready- made essentials.
What Ayr does lack are the sprawling acres – dozens of them – needed to accommodate the main stage, the satellite stages, the 75,000 crowds, the campsites, motorhome parks and catering tents.
But it would be the perfect ‘ halfway house’ to give tens of thousands of young music lovers a great weekend.
Of course, something would have to give – and for Ayr Racecourse that would have to be the meetings planned for Sunday, July 9 and Monday, July 10 – the traditional “TITP” weekend. But that would give them a straight run of a month – from June 24 to July 24 – to get the stage and other facilities in place - and then taken down again.
South Ayrshire Council would need to acquire a big rubber stamp that said “approved” – and not be afraid to use it!
They would need to say “yes” to all kinds of things they would normally say “no” to – like a temporary camp site around Craigie.
And there is plenty of room nearby – the University of West of Scotland Campus, Western House Car Park and the Craigie Road car park – for caravans and motor homes.
I’ve been banging on in this space for a few years now that Ayr needs new “event” attractions.
The Scottish Air Show has shown what can be done when the right people take a positive attitude.
They say the longest march starts with a single step. Is anyone prepared to take the first step towards “T on the Turf 2017?”
I’ve got my headliners for the three- day event picked already! Biffy Clyro on Friday, a Rod Stewart party on Saturday and Adele saying ‘ Hello’ on Sunday! Who would you pick?