Glasgow Hogmanay party scrapped by council

Published on Friday 29 July 2011 13:27

GLASGOW will not be staging an official Hogmanay party this year because the city council deems it too expensive.

Instead of the usual New Year party in George Square Glasgow City Council said it will instead host a "family day" in the same location, with music, ceilidh dancing and the Glasgow Bonspiel curling tournament.

The council also said it would work with the city's restaurants, bars and clubs to organise festivities.

Details will be released later in the year.

Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson said: "At the moment we are being asked to justify spending 34 of public money per head on an event which just isn't delivering value and indeed received a fair amount of negative feedback last year. This is on top of the 19 ticket price we are asking the public to pay.

"Contrast that with the free fireworks display in November which costs the council just 1.50 per head, or the hugely popular Christmas lights switch-on which costs 6 per head to stage.

"I think most people would agree that Hogmanay in the square is not good value for money. At a time when front-line services are under extreme financial pressure it is imperative that we get the best bang for every Glasgow buck and that is not what is happening at the moment.

"Instead of using public money to stage a midnight event for 4,500 people, a fraction of those out and about in the city on Hogmanay, the council will be putting its weight behind the existing Glasgow Loves Christmas events across the festive period, and helping to promote the night-time economy's enviable New Year offer."