Gardens could grow

Hopes venue can blossom with more promoters

DUNDEE Cit y Council is open ing up Slessor Gardens to new gig offers, the Tele can reveal.

The local authority has started contacting promoters to discuss future shows.

The move could lead to big acts coming to Dundee in a coup for the local economy and those interested in staging shows at the Waterfront space have welcomed the development.

Earlier this year the Tele revealed that frustrated gig organisers had locked horns with the council over a proposed “venue agreement” it had reportedly drawn up with the Liz Hobbs Group (LHG).

The deal would have granted the firm the exclusive right to stage concerts in the space.

However, it now seems any such exclusivity deal is off the table.

Promoters have welcomed the move as an opportunity for other producers who have access to a wider range of talent.

One large firm, which spoke to the Tele on the condition of anonymity, said: “This is a very big positive...this is about partnership with promoters, and building bridges.”

DF Concerts, the firm behind T In The Park and TRNSMT, is staging Bombay Bicycle Club, Biffy Clyro and the Libertines gigs at the Caird Hall before the year is out and previously expressed an interest in Slessor Gardens.

The council’s approach to promoters comes after poor sales of tickets for recent shows.

The latest gig at Slessor, DunDee 80s, failed to pull in as many punters as previous acts such as Little Mix, Olly Murs and Steps.

There was criticism over