Fury over Homecoming celebration as firms left out of pocket

Published on Thursday 4 February 2010 20:55

CREDITORS left out of pocket in the wake of the huge clan gathering in Edinburgh last summer have attacked a lavish celebration of the Year of Homecoming just days after its centrepiece event went into administration.

Businesses are furious and have accused Homecoming officials of being insensitive in putting on a 6,000 bash while they are trying to recover money due to them from the doomed Gathering event. Free food, wine and live music was laid on at one of Glasgow's top nightspots last night. Free transport was even laid on to help guests attend.

It emerged last week that The Gathering 2009 Ltd was forced into administration after the City of Edinburgh Council pulled the plug on a rescue package. Some 50 creditors are believed to be 300,000 out of pocket in total.

PR consultant Martin Hunt, who is owed 10,000, said: "We are not at all happy to hear about this event. A large number of businesses who were involved in the Gathering are still doing everything we can to recover the money we are due. It's hugely insensitive to be having an event like this, particularly when The Gathering has just gone into administration.

"Where is the thanks for the companies that were involved in the event? The money spent on this party should be used to compensate some of the creditors."

Neil McRobb, the owner of Leith sign-making firm McRobb Display, who lost 14,000 in the venture, said: "The whole thing is in pretty poor taste. Everyone keeps going on about the 10 million benefit the Gathering brought, yet we are the ones that are our of pocket."

A spokeswoman for Homecoming, which was run jointly by EventScotland and VisitScotland, said:

"The 'thank you' reception is a modest event that aims to recognise and celebrate the great efforts of many groups and individuals who have had a hands-on role in the success of the year, a large number of whom did so in a voluntary capacity."