A 90s rave event set to be held in Edinburgh next month has been thrown into turmoil after the council refused to grant a licence over drug concerns.
The event, which was expected to be hosted at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh, is on the brink of cancellation after police and council members objected to the "high risk" music festival. All bar one of Edinburgh City Council's licensing sub-committee voted against plans to host the event.
Artists such as Vengaboys, TTF, DJ Sammy and Ultrabeat were due to play at the 'festive extravaganza' which was to take place on December 3, Edinburgh Live reports.
But plans have been left in doubt, with one councillor admitting she was worried about the volume of incidents in the past, adding it is "our duty to ensure public safety".
Organisers had promised to put in place extra measures such as more stewards and searches to curb drug use but this was rejected. PC Greig Stephen from the Edinburgh Police Division said there have been too many drug-related incidents at the Royal Highland Centre (RHC) previously to justify another rave.
It comes less than a month after 19 year-old Maya Nager died after collapsing at the Terminal V music festival also hosted in the Ingliston venue. Police Scotland said they are still investigating the circumstances of the teenager's death.
Speaking at the meeting on Monday (November 14), PC Stephen reported that public safety officers said the 5,000-capacity event would be similar to the 'Ultimate 90s Rave' held at the RHC in April which was marred by drugs and criminality.
"At that specific event, which was a similar capacity to what's being proposed today, there were 23 medical cases, one of which was taken to hospital for drug-related concerns and one of these medical cases was a 16 year-old having consumed ecstasy," he said.
"There were 73 positive drug searches, the majority for cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy and welfare providers assisted 65 people, mostly with drug and alcohol intoxication, there were also three arrests made for crime and disorder."
PC Stephen had previously warned the council against granting another license for Terminal V, citing concerns over drugs and disorder which had left some in medically induced comas overnight as a result of drug overdoses. The decision to deny the licence will likely mean that organisers will be forced to refund thousands of tickets.
Responding to the organisers' pledge to go 'above and beyond' to mitigate anyone coming to harm, Councillor Cathy Fullerton said: "Why has it taken you so long to up your game in respect of drug awareness and stewarding?
"If you look at the catalogue of previous events, going above any beyond was maybe appropriate then as well."
Cllr Fullerton added: "I'm still concerned about the drug-related incidents at previous events and I note the last one at Terminal V has not been recorded yet.
"Regardless of the age profile, whether it will be higher or not, I do not think the committee should be granting this application. It's our duty to ensure public safety and with the record of previous events we have before us public safety must surely be at risk."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
