Runrig fans can eat, drink and be merry
Councilagreelongerdrinkinghours and look at eating places opening later
Runrig fans may not be drowning their sorrows on an empty stomach after the band’s farewell concerts in Stirling later this year.
Earlier this month Stirling District Licensing Board agreed to allow licensed premises to add an extra hour to their opening times to serve alcohol to the expected crowds.
However, next week councillors will consider whether or not to also allow food outlets to serve up nosh for longer than usual.
Stirling Council’s planning panel meets on Tuesday to discuss whether to grant late hours catering when the band holds its concerts at Stirling’s City Park on Friday, August 17, and Saturday, August 18, to mark their retirement after 45 years in the music business.
Around 45,000 people are expected to attend the gigs.
In a report due before the panel next week, the council’s chief governance officer Iain Strachan said: “It is anticipated that many of those who choose to stay overnight may frequent the town centre using facilities such as bars, restaurants, clubs etc.
“If the panel are minded to grant such a policy allowing one additional hour trading, this would help facilitate the night time economy, help with aspects of a phased dispersal with people leaving the town and allow people to obtain food.”
Premises within Stirling city centre currently trade until 3am on a Friday and Saturday night and the proposal is for premises to trade until 4am.
Other premises outwith the city centre catchment trade until 1am on Friday and Saturday nights.
These would be able to trade until 2am on the nights of the concerts.
If the panel agrees, premises are expected to be asked to apply for the extra hour on an individual basis, with all applications to be lodged no later than May 4. Mr Strachan said: “Police Scotland have been consulted and are content with the principle of premises being allowed to extend one hour beyond their normal trading times and for this to be dealt with by way of applications received.
“The rationale behind individual applications being received would help Police Scotland with their operational planning in the run up to the event.”
The band added a second gig after thousands of fans were disappointed when tickets for farewell concert ‘The Last Dance’ were snapped up in minutes – with many accusing ticket touts of then reselling them at exorbitant prices.
Both concerts, which will take place at Falleninch field in the shadow of Stirling Castle, are now sold out.
Runrig became a driving force in Scottish and Gaelic cultural life after being founded in 1973.
From humble beginnings on Skye they have taken their unique brand of Celtic rock to some of the most iconic venues in the UK, Europe and beyond – from sellout shows at the Royal Albert Hall in London to castles and arenas across Germany and Denmark, to Times Square in New York.
Their version of Loch Lomond is seen by many as an unofficial alternative national anthem.
They released their 14th and final studio album The Story in 2016.