Council strikes £45,000 deal for Tay lights show

COUNCIL chiefs hope to repeat t he success of Perth’s Norie-Miller light show with an expanded event next year.

The dazzling illuminations at the River Tay in February attracted 51,000 people, and Perth and Kinross Council has struck a £45,000 deal to bring the show back in 2018.

The event is scheduled to run every night from January 26 to February 14, with special themed attractions to celebrate Burns Night, Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day.

The contract for the job has been awarded to Edinburgh-based 21CC, which arranged the 2017 display.

A council spokeswoman said: “The Light Nights event was one of the highlights of our Winter Festival programme and surpassed our expectations in every way, especially as it was the first year.

“Events such as this, which are designed for the evening/night time, are a fantastic way to bring people into Perth at times when they may not necessarily venture into the city.”

She added: “We have high hopes of improving on what was an extremely positive and well received event.”

The Norie-Miller Trail was designed as a taster for the City of Light project, which will see landmarks and buildings across the area lit up with colourful spotlights and animated projections, approved by councillors this week.

The plan aims to bring more people into the city centre and follows a shock survey which revealed nearly 60% of the local population had never set foot in the area after 6pm.

The local authority has already set aside £14 million for the project, including £5m towards the City of Light scheme.