Punters’ confidence in Dundee’s UK City of Culture 2017 bid could be faltering due to next year’s Scottish independence referendum, it has been claimed.
The shortlist for the prestigious award will be announced next Wednesday, with Dundee’s odds now sitting at 10-1. The city was the most-heavily backed when betting opened in March but this has slowed down in recent weeks.
William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly said: “Obviously if there’s a yes vote at the referendum next year, I think it would be a little embarrassing for everyone invloved if the UK City of Culture was a Scottish city which is no longer in the UK.
“I would assume that it is having an effect on the odds and I would say that is the biggest reason why the odds aren’t shorter.”
However, Mr Crilly said that neither Dundee or Aberdeen its only other Scottish competitor should be ruled out of the running just yet.
He said: “At 10-1 and 8-1 respectively, there is still a likely chance of one of them making it on to the shortlist. It would only take a strong gamble to see the odds for Dundee or Aberdeen moving towards the top of the betting.”
Dundee is up against 10 competitors for the title, including Hull, Leicester and Plymouth.
Mr Crilly added: “For a long time it was the best-backed city. We had one punter putting £150 on Dundeee and for about six or seven weeks that was the only three-figure bet we took on the whole market.
“We have seen more big bets come in but Dundee certainly was very popular to start off with, but it has calmed down a little bit. However, it would only take a few big bets to put it up there with the leaders.”
Local politicians put on a diplomatic front regarding the bookmaker’s comments.
Dundee-based Labour MSP Jenny Marra said: “All politicians in Dundee have set aside their views on the independence question to get behind Dundee’s bid for UK City of Culture 2017.
“Bookies’ odds have been wrong before. Anyone who knows our cultural potential would back Dundee the smart money is on Dundee to win this bid.”
Dundee City Council leader Ken Guild said: “Dundee has put together a fantastic bid from a great partnership and everyone is very enthused by the work that has been done.
“I made it clear right from the start that we would concentrate on our own bid without worrying what anyone else was doing, including bookies.”
The shortlisted cities will submit a more detailed bid in the next two months and the winner of the title will be announced in the autumn.