Edinburgh is set to see a re-think on its traditional Christmas and Hogmanay events as Edinburgh City Council look to reduce the impact on the environment and spread the economic benefits elsewhere in the city.
Alongside this, the council have said that they will also look to clamp down on the consumption of alcohol and to try to relieve the pressures of overcrowding in the city centre.
The move is hoped to encourage an environment where local businesses, producers and performers are supported over a longer winter festival period.
Events like the torchlight procession and street party are also under consideration to be scrapped if organisers can muster up other “world-class” alternatives.
The local authority also said that the normal three-day new year festival - that has a budget up to £810,000 - could also be extended so that theatres and indoor settings could host events.
Those at the council have suggested that a drone light display may be used to replace the traditional firework display.
The council also remains committed to staging live music however and has said that they want Edinburgh to remain “the home of Hogmanay.”
Suggestions have also been made for street theatre, light shows and live music to take place in areas such as Leith and Granton, the Scotsman revealed.
The move is also understood to be a reaction to the impact that Princes Street Gardens suffers each year due to the immense pressure placed on it by pop-up markets and fair rides.
Those wishing to apply to host events have been told that the gardens are not entirely ruled out for use but that any plans to use the area should make “minimal” use of the green space and that attempts to use “hard-standing” areas will be favoured by the authority.
The festival is expected to run for up to six weeks and will relieve pressure on the normal city centre spots by extending events to Festival Square, St Andrew Square, the Grassmarket, East Market Street, the High Street and Parliament square.
Organisers have also been encouraged to make events more “family friendly” and to implement alcohol free spaces at main festival sites.
As well as this, they are encouraged to focus on existing and new local businesses and creative workers.
Council officials are searching for new organisers for the Winter festivals which are rumoured to have brought in £158m for the local economy in recent years - a decision is expected in June.
A recent opinion poll noted that residents had concerns surrounding the environmental impact, number of alcoholic stalls, cost of tickets and the overcrowding of the city centre of these events.
The contracts to run the events are understood to run for the next three years.
The council added that their only key demand was that the lights-switch-on event at the traditional Norwegian tree on The Mound continue and that the events are still of a “world-class” quality that promote the capital internationally.
City council leader Adam McVey said: “Through our city-wide conversation with residents, businesses and stakeholders last year, it was clear that there was overwhelming support for the continuation of Christmas and Hogmanay celebrations, but with a revised format.
“More than 8,600 people and 35 organisations responded to the survey, with 87 per cent expressing support for a Christmas celebration and 86 per cent for Hogmanay.
“I’m confident that by acting on residents’ feedback, we can remain the home of Hogmanay and ensure our Christmas events, enjoyed by so many across the city, continue in a way that balances residents’ needs and aspirations for how they should look and feel in future.”
Depute council leader Cammy Day added: “Our winter festivals are internationally renowned and, from our conversation with the city, we were pleased that the majority wanted Edinburgh to keep its place on the world map for Christmas celebrations and as home of Hogmanay.
“As well as contributing to the wellbeing of our residents, our winter festivals deliver real economic impact, benefiting tourism, hospitality and leisure sectors in particular.
“With these new contracts, we want to continue to provide inclusive high-quality festive celebrations, further enhance the city’s reputation and allow the benefits to be shared across our town centres and communities.”
Roddy Smith, chief executive of city centre business group Essential Edinburgh, said: “The Christmas and Hogmanay festivals are key drivers for the city centre and are core to the year round sustainability of it.
"Whilst it is acknowledged there is some benefit from moving events around the city, the public, event producers and business benefits from a central location where you can combine the festival activities with shopping and hospitality.
“Last year saw a significant reduction in the green space used for events and this worked extremely well.
“We must be more sustainable and respectful of our environment, but equally must deliver events that the public and business needs. The ice rink on George Street was a great example of what could be achieved without the need to use greenspace.
“We look forward to working with producers to continue to deliver world-class events that support our residents and businesses whilst also attracting visitors and tourists to our wonderful city.”
