Stonehaven’s community has rallied together to demand the Hogmanay show by rockers Simple Minds gets the go-ahead.
An overwhelming swell of support has poured in on the eve of a council meeting to hear police objections to the granting of an entertainment licence for the sell-out event.
The call for councillors to let the gig go ahead has come from community groups and fans from throughout the UK.
Music shop owner Dr Chris Stirk said: “I am sick to death of the bureaucratic interference in the little enjoyment we can manage to make for ourselves in these hard times.”
Police Scotland have lodged an official objection after concerns over public safety.
However, Stonehaven hotelier Sheila Howarth said: “Many kind-hearted people have donated almost eight months of their lives to help organise this event purely for the enjoyment of others.
“It would be a travesty if a few small-minded people were allowed to cancel it.”
David Fleming, of the Town Partnership, added: “We are of the view that cancellation would be an unmitigated disaster for the town, for the Shire, for the many agencies involved as well as those who have given their time.”
Peter Newell, of Stonehaven Rotary, said: “The town has had to deal with a number of major flooding and road problems over the last year and is trying to get back on its feet again. We unreservedly support the organisers.”
Frank Budd, chairman of Stonehaven Tourism Group, said if the event was cancelled it would destroy Stonehaven’s credibility for any future event.
The final decision will be made by Aberdeenshire Council’s licensing board. According to the Open Air in the Square website, most of the 5,000 tickets for the event have already been sold.
Michael Innes, chairman of Stonehaven and District Community Council, said: “I attended last year’s event and I never saw any security or safety issues.”
David Lawman, vice-chairman of Stonehaven Festival and Events, said he was overwhelmed by the level of support they have received from all walks of life.
He said: “We are hoping councillors will take on board the strength of feeling in the town and common sense will prevail.”
He revealed that although they had been in talks with police since early in the year, they were “shocked and surprised” when the police lodged their objections in June.
He added the organisers had bent over backwards at a series of meetings to meet the police objections but each time they thought they had resolved the issues raised, new objections were put forward.
Last week the organisers wrote to Police Scotland Area Commander Chief Inspector Janice Innes asking if there was anything they could do to work together to find a solution that would allow Police Scotland to withdraw their objection for an Entertainment Licence.
She replied the only solution in her eyes was to move to another venue.