More than 11,000 fans to pack Slessor Gardens

LITTLE MIX: Board urged to grant licences for concerts

Fans have snapped up more than 11,000 tickets for Little Mix’s sell-out concert at Dundee’s Slessor Gardens.

Dundee City Council’s licensing board will decide on Thursday whether to grant public entertainment licences for the concert in June and UB40’s gig at the same venue a month earlier.

The application by promoters the Liz Hobbs Group reveals for the first time how Slessor Gardens will be set up for the two outdoor concerts and the capacity for each performance.

An application for the Olly Murs concert in July will be submitted at a later date.

Councillors have been urged to grant licences for both events. A report to go before the committee states: “Public reaction to the sale of tickets for the summer concert season at Slessor Gardens has in fact been excellent.

“The events have already generated considerable publicity and positive profile for the city both in mainstream and social media, adding to Dundee’s growing cultural reputation.

“It is expected that these events will have a significant economic impact, with increased spend in city centre bars, restaurants and retail outlets.

“Council officers are working closely with city centre traders to help maximise opportunities presented by such large numbers of people gathering for these concerts.”

It will take three days to erect the barriers and stage for UB40 and four days for Little Mix, plus another day after each event to dismantle the equipment.

The stage will be put up at the Caird Hall end of Slessor Gardens.

Each concert has a two-tier ticketing policy, with the area in the front of the stage reserved for those buying the more expensive tickets.

Both Thomson Avenue, which runs between Slessor Gardens and the car park behind the Caird Hall, and Dock Street will be closed to traffic during the events. Buses will be diverted via Ward Road and Meadowside.

According to the report to go before the licensing committee, 4,216 tickets had been sold for the UB40 concert by January.

The event will have a total capacity of 10,000, with gates opening at 4pm and the event finishing at 10.30pm.

The Little Mix concert has a greater capacity and is already a sell-out with 11,172 tickets sold.

Gates will open to the public at 5pm and the concert will finish at 10pm.

Applications are also being submitted for the sale of alcohol at the venue at each event.

According to the promoters, UB40 is expected to attract a crowd consisting of “predominantly mature adults, 20 to 51 years.” Unless it sells out beforehand, tickets for the concert will be available on the gate.

By comparison, Little Mix’s audience is expected to comprise “predominantly” of “young females 14 to 30 years”.

The applications for both events state they intend to be “self-sufficient” regarding stewarding and so will place “no burden” on police resources.

It is expected that these events will have a significant economic impact