The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Slessor Gardens gigs firm open to staging city Hogmanay bash
event: Calls for a celebration of what promises to be a momentous year for Dundee
The company behind Dundee’s hugely successful summer Slessor Gardens concerts have revealed they would consider putting on a Hogmanay event.
The Liz Hobbs Group, who staged three gigs last year at the new waterfront venue headlined by UB40, Little Mix, and Olly Murrs, have stated they would look into the viability of a new year’s event if approached.
For yet another year, Dundee was left with no official public turn-of-the-year event in 2017-18, leading to calls from prominent figures for a celebration at the end of what promises to be a momentous year with the opening of the new V&A Museum.
Lauding the city’s enthusiasm, the event management company said the concerts they staged in Dundee have been some of the best they have put on.
A spokesperson for the group said: “We have not formally been approached to deliver a new year’s event but Dundee is one of our favourite locations as the people are so welcoming.
“The council and blue light services are so good to work with and the media so supportive that should we be approached, we may consider it.
“There would be a lot of considerations to work through as New Year’s Eve is a very different proposition to a summer’s evening, with the safety of the people of Dundee always paramount.”
In the hours following Hogmanay in 2016, a photo emerged on social media of Dundee city centre akin to a “zombie apocalypse” just before midnight.
Hundreds signed a petition started by Graeme McKenzie, calling for the council to organise an Edinburgh-style street party. Although the campaign appeared to gain momentum when organisations welcomed potential plans – including the Scottish Government – nothing concrete emerged.
Councillor Lynne Short, city development convener, said it would be down to the group to decide whether an event would be “economically viable”.
She said: “As a city we love to welcome all event organisers as it allows us to showcase all the city has on offer and also gives those living in the area an opportunity to have entertainment options closer to home. If the Liz Hobbs Group felt that it was economically viable to stage a Hogmanay show then I am sure as a city we would all support them in their endeavours.”