We have decided to cancel this year’s fireworks display at Strathclyde Country Park in November.
Understandably, people will be disappointed as it’s an event which people enjoy attending each year. However, we are currently in level 2 restrictions and although we anticipate moving to Level 0 at some point in the future, we are aware that Covid-19 is still very much with us and in line with government guidance, we are continuing to take a cautious approach to events that attract large crowds.
Although government guidance is currently being reviewed and updated for outdoor events, planning for this type of large-scale event would need to have been well underway. Thousands of people attend our fireworks event and a current assessment highlights that we would be unable to put in place safeguards such as ticketing, controlled entry and exit points, sanitisation points and Test and Trace contact collection due to the dispersed nature of the crowd. In addition, being an evening event and its complex location, it would be challenging to control numbers gathering at the park.
The safety of our residents and staff is paramount and taking into account this and the current uncertainty around Covid-19, we have decided to postpone this event.
We do look forward to planning a superb event in 2022 for everyone to enjoy.
Events in parks and greenspaces
We know that our parks and greenspaces have played an important role to the health and wellbeing of people in our communities during lockdown and we hope this will continue.
Similarly to the fireworks above, we are continuing to take a cautious approach to events that attract large crowds.
We have decided not to host large outdoor events in 2021 but will assist organisers to plan for next year. However we do want to support local sport and community groups resume activities in greenspaces without encouraging large groups to attend that may impact on the safety of local people enjoying our parks and green spaces.
We have recommended that outdoor events are limited to sports clubs and local sports competitions in line with the current restriction level and with appropriate Covid-19 measures in place.