REVERSE FERRET OVER HOGMANAY PLANS
Controversial Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festival organisers Underbelly have halted ticket sales for this year’s event – just hours after announcing ‘exciting plans’ for the New Year celebrations.
Tickets for the Hogmanay Street party were still on sale on the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2020 website yesterday afternoon, but sales were halted and information updated on the site last night.
A statement issued by Underbelly last night said: “As has been reported, exciting and positive discussions are taking place between City of Edinburgh Council and Underbelly in relation to the Hogmanay programme for 2020.
“However, it is clear to all parties that the famous Street Party cannot take place in its current form in 2020 and tickets are today being taken off sale.
“Customers who have booked tickets will be contacted in the next 14 days to be offered a full refund.”
Yesterday afternoon, BBC Scotland had reported:
Tickets for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party have gone on sale with organisers saying it “will be a pivotal moment for the world”.
It follows a meeting on Tuesday looking into how the Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay could be celebrated at the end of the year.
Organiser Underbelly said it was “excited by the events being discussed”.
A final decision on this year’s activities is expected in late August.
Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam, directors of Underbelly, said: “We’re working closely and positively with City of Edinburgh Council and other partners on plans for Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay.
“This will be a pivotal moment for the world both to reflect on 2020 and to look to the future, and the safety of Edinburgh’s residents and visitors is critical to how these plans evolve.
“We’re excited by the events being discussed and look forward to sharing the details in the coming weeks.”
‘Positive discussions’
Adam McVey, City of Edinburgh council leader, said: “The council is having positive discussions on how Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay could be celebrated this year.
“All involved recognise the uncertainty of the current situation and the significant requirements for anything Edinburgh hosts to meet public health guidance.
“It’s clear that if our 2020 winter festivals go ahead they will look very different from recent years, using different locations across the city.
“It is also important to think more creatively about how to better support our local businesses who have been impacted by the lockdown.”
The tickets are priced at £21.50 with 50p from every ticket being donated to the Brain Tumour Charity.
The city council’s press team later announced:
Initial discussions exploring potential revised plans for how both Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay could be celebrated in 2020 began yesterday with the Council All Party Oversight Group.
A final decision on this year’s activities is expected in late August.
Representatives from all political parties met with senior officers and Winter Festivals’ producers, Underbelly, to discuss a range of proposals, which take account of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and associated health and safety considerations.
Following the positive informal discussions, the proposals will be developed further before being reported to the Council’s Policy and Sustainability Committee in late August for a decision.
Council Leader Adam McVey said: “The Council is having positive discussions on how Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay could be celebrated this year. All involved recognise the uncertainty of the current situation and the significant requirements for anything Edinburgh hosts to meet public health guidance.
“It’s clear that if our 2020 Winter Festivals go ahead they will look very different from recent years, using different locations across the City. It is also important to think more creatively about how to better support our local businesses who have been impacted by the lockdown.
“Any events will need to give our residents a truly Edinburgh experience that helps discover more of our fantastic businesses that operate all year round. Work is underway with our partners to further investigate the feasibility of these new proposals and Councillors will agree the way forward in the coming weeks.
Depute Leader Cammy Day added: “We’re the proud hosts to what are well established and internationally renowned winter festivals and, in light of the ongoing global pandemic, we’re looking at alternative ways to mark them in a meaningful, workable and safe way.
“I feel positive that our Edinburgh will be able to celebrate Christmas and Hogmanay this year. However, the safety of residents and visitors remains paramount and we need some time to develop and check feasibility of proposals before a final plan can be brought forward for a final decision in August.”
Confused? All will become clear in August. Maybe.