Airshow could fly off to Irvine
Event bosses in bid to fill in next year’s gap
Event bosses have offered South Ayrshire’s biggest gig to Irvine, the Post can exclusively reveal.
The Scottish Airshow – which draws 100,000- a- year – wants to fly up the coast in 2019.
It comes as organisers face a gap year in their programme.
Main backers, South Ayrshire Council, have only stumped up cash for two of the next three shows.
And flight chiefs are now prepared to send their multimillion pound asset less than 15 miles to North Ayrshire.
The proposal, made to executives in Irvine, has sparked fears for the show’s long- term future at the Low Green.
Organisers this week insisted they had “no desire” to ditch Ayr as their base.
But in an email seen by the Post, they have written to North Ayrshire bosses touting next year’s event.
It reads: “It ( Airshow) could be adapted and expanded to have a more Maritime/ Coastal theme to give it a unique character for Irvine and North Ayrshire, differentiating it from the previous four successful years at Ayr in South Ayrshire.
“It could also be used as a very effective springboard to build on for future large- scale family, annual events in North Ayrshire.
“It would certainly put Irvine on the map with national, UK and international coverage and appeal.”
We told last year how council bosses in Ayr refused to ink a new £ 900,000 funding deal on the eve of budget cuts.
Instead just £ 450,000 was handed over, funding the show for 2018 and 2020.
Airshow organiser, Doug Maclean, said this week: “We fully understand the pressures South Ayrshire have been under.
“There is no desire on our part to leave Ayr, we are simply looking to fill our gap year.
“As an event, the airshow has generated millions for the economy and is a legitimate case for public funding. I would challenge anyone to find a better investment.”
It comes as the iconic Red Arrows committed to fly on both days of this year’s show.
The RAF jets will visit Ayr on September 1 and 2 – the first time they will carry out a double display in Scotland.
And Mr Maclean, who revived the show along with fellow flight enthusiasts four years ago, insists any temporary move would not spell the end for Ayr.
He added: “We are committed to running an expanded three day event in Ayr in 2020.
“We cannot look beyond that at present but Ayr is a fantastic place with a great setup and is where we want to be.”
Ayr MSP John Scott said: “Having hosted the Airshow over the last four years, it would be a huge blow to the local economy if it were to be lost to the area on a permanent basis and that is the risk being run if the organisers are forced to look to other parts of the country for financial support in 2019.”
And Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock MP, Bill Grant, added: “It would be a regrettable day for Ayr and South Ayrshire were this to happen.
“The success of the Low Green as a location cannot be underestimated and to change those ingredients could jeopardise the future of the event.
“I would hope discussions with South Ayrshire Council have not been exhausted.”
A spokesman for South Ayrshire Council said: “We have a signed contractual agreement and a funding package is in place to stage this fantastic event in Ayr in 2018 and 2020.
“We are working closely with the event organisers and various partners to ensure these events provide the best possible entertainment for local people and visitors alike.”
A spokesman for North Ayrshire Council said: “We have had no discussions about hosting the 2019 Airshow in Irvine and have no plans of doing so.
“We are, however, talking with our colleagues at South Ayrshire Council about how they might evolve the 2020 event by incorporating the coastline/ maritime theme.
“All of these discussions are at a very early stage.”