Aberdeenshire councillors have stalled plans for the return of a popular north-east Hogmanay event while they seek further public opinion.
Glasgow-based company Two Presentations Ltd have applied for the use of Market Square in Stonehaven for a music event on December 31, but will have to wait three weeks for the outcome.
Councillors chose to defer their decision on the proposed ticketed event in order to get feedback from the local business association and the community council.
The Open Air in the Square (OAITS) event did not go ahead in 2016 after the organisers found themselves in financial difficulty.
Considering the impact the car park closure will have on businesses in the Market Square and if there would be any economic benefit to the town councillors were unsure of public feelings on the matter.
Councillor Wendy Agnew questioned if the council should be backing any event that served alcohol where children were present, quoting a recent report by John Kinsella of the licensing forum that suggested banning consumption inside council premises.
However councillors were reminded by area manager William Munro that the event would still have to go through the full licensing process and scrutiny “as usual”.
He added: “I have been told that the performers would be of a similar genre as previous years and that there would be no fun-fair planned.”
Last night Sheila Howarth of the Belvedere Hotel said: “Personally – if there is going to be something, I’d rather it was locals doing something for locals rather than a commercial company coming in and taking over the town.
“I’m not sure that there is a noticeable economic benefit – we were all talking about the fact that we were only marginally quieter this year – the fireballs were a bigger draw.
“I also personally feel that it’s the wrong location. Putting a marquee in Baird Park would seem more sensible.”
However, local hotelier and previous OAITS helper Michelle Ward welcomed the plans and said: “I think it will have to be commercial because an event like this is far too big for a community group to organise.
“An event on Hogmanay gives Stonehaven nationwide advertising and also helps tourism.”
Approval will be considered again at the next Kincardine and Mearns area committee on March 21.
