Edinburgh's Christmas market and Hogmanay events should be made more accessible to those on lower incomes, councillors have said.
It comes as contracts to run the capital's winter festivals changed hands, sparking hopes that a new approach will be taken this year.
But it's not yet known how the two companies which made successful bids will shake-up the Christmas attractions, and council officials have been pressed for details on how they will be made available to a wider audience.
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The council's finance committee met on Thursday (June 16) to confirm the awarding of contracts to Unique Events and Angels Event Experience.
A report shows Unique Events, the original organisers of the Hogmanay festival when it launched in 1993, will take back the contract worth just over £4 million, whilst Angels Event Experience, organisers of London's Hyde Park Christmas market, will bring in an estimated £5,473,500 in rental income from stalls and amusements in Princes Street Gardens over the next five years.
Liberal Democrat councillor Neil Ross voiced concern about the lack of information provided on how Angels Events will restructure the way the market is run "and what they might charge for them".
Vicky Nicholson, SNP, added that as a single parent she has "avoided the city centre for a month out of every year around the Christmas period because it was unaffordable to people on a lower income" and asked for further details on how attractions would be priced.
David Waddell, senior culture and events officer for Edinburgh City Council, replied: "Unfortunately that's not available at the minute but once we have that we'll be able to share with members.
He added: "The events need to be accessible both to families who are on lower incomes and to traders and stallholders in the city."
After organising the controversial market in Princes Street Gardens since 2013 and new year celebrations since 2017, Underbelly will no longer play a part in the city's festivities. Although the firm didn't put in a fresh bid to run Edinburgh's Hogmanay, it had hoped to continue producing the Christmas market.
This year Edinburgh City Council judged bids on the number of local businesses trading at events, number of local artists/creatives employed, number of free/low priced attractions and provision of alcohol-free areas, as well as the number of event sites outwith the 'immediate city centre', amongst other factors.
It follows extensive public consultation on Edinburgh's winter festivals carried out by the council last year, which showed the vast majority of the city's residents supported Christmas celebrations but wanted to see things run differently in the future. It found that many felt Edinburgh's Christmas and Hogmanay events were overcrowded, expensive and 'only suited for tourists'.
Council Leader Cammy Day said: "We’re looking forward to delivering great Winter Festivals for the people of Edinburgh and our visitors – very much in the spirit of feedback received in our recent citywide conversation with residents, businesses and stakeholders. 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.
"I am sure Angels Event activities will build on the huge success of Edinburgh’s Christmas to date and will offer a rich and varied programme of festive activities, events and experiences that will be enjoyed by residents and visitors of all ages.
"Unique Events will once more be the producers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay having been involved when it began in 1992/93 and as we mark its 30th year I’m excited to work with them on a programme of events fit for the home of Hogmanay."
