Street party organisers play it safe

Published on Friday 23 October 2009 10:13

ORGANISERS of the Capital's famous Hogmanay street party are to press ahead with plans to shrink this year's event – despite being told they don't need to.

Event organisers have received final confirmation that no tram work-related issues will impact on the party.

But the capacity for this year's event will still shrink by 25,000 to 75,000 because organisers had expected work to have an impact and had already been planning to cut capacity accordingly.

It also emerged today that there will again be bands playing on a stage outside Waverley Station,

although there will be no stage on St David Street. The details come after the Evening News revealed yesterday that the city council is already preparing for a second consecutive loss on the event. It currently forecasts a 29,000 loss but admits that could rise to 200,000 depending on the success of ticket sales and the costs of the full programme.

Councillor Steve Cardownie, the city's festivals and events champion, said: "We planned on the basis that the engineering works would still be in evidence to the west and east of the site. We've been informed now that will not be the case. However, having planned for 75,000 we are now too far down the process to change, so there will be a cap."

He said that the capacity reduction will not have an impact on event budgets as the 10 cost of the event wristband largely covers the administration costs associated with it.

However, he added: "There will be fewer people in Princes Street buying merchandise, and fewer people in Edinburgh bars and restaurants, so there is an impact there but it won't be a direct impact on the City of Edinburgh's budget.

"It will still be packed, the programme will still be great with Madness headlining and it will be a fantastic party."

Last-ditch attempts are under way to bring in additional funding for the event through sponsorship. However, Cllr Cardownie admits that it is likely to be difficult due to previous cancellations. He said: "Last year was hugely successful but the year before was cancelled. Sponsors don't like risks and outdoor events are a risk, especially in winter. Last year's event was a success but sponsors will look at the previous year and that doesn't help."