A Dundee councillor says Dundee City Council is “not there yet” with the return of an annual Hogmanay celebration — but the new waterfront development might help.
SNP councillor Stewart Hunter said he would love to see Dundee host an organised celebration to welcome in the new year, but warned a large amount of work is required for such a gathering.
Mr Hunter was responding to a petition set up by 18-year-old Graeme McKenzie calling for the council to organise an Edinburgh-style street party next year.
Dundee last staged a major public event to mark the new millennium in 1999/2000.
More than 700 people have so far signed Graeme’s petition, set up after Dundee was described as being like the aftermath of a “zombie apocalypse” on Hogmanay.
Commenting on the reaction to the petition, Mr Hunter said: “I’ve never been against the concept of having a celebration, but we need to have a proactive conversation about how it would work.
“Bus companies are not very keen to put services on, so I would have concerns about how people would get home.
“Slessor Gardens has the potential to have something in the future, but the proper facilities would have to be in place.
“It’s so much more than just turning up — you need things like security and ambulance crews.
“I’m very keen to see something, but it’s about a lot more than just spending money on it. I don’t think we’re there yet.”
Speaking on Monday, petition organiser Graeme said: “Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland, so I think it’s about time the council did something for Hogmanay.
“Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness all put something on, whereas Dundee city centre looked like a zombie apocalypse 20 minutes before the bells – everything boarded up and no one on the street.
“I thought the petition would be a good way to start … If enough people want it to happen, then that will really help.
“Judging by the comments under
the petition, that seems to be the case.
“People are remembering how in the 50s there were celebrations, and they want them to happen again.
“It would be great if we could have something for 2018.”
