THE success of Runrig’s Last Dance gigs in Stirling’s City Park could be a springboard for similar huge events at the venue, according to the local council’s leader.
Scott Farmer was speaking after the Celtic rockers entertained almost 50,000 fans over the weekend as they brought the curtain down on a career spanning 45 years in the shadow of Stirling Castle.
The event generated worldwide attention with 8% of ticket holders travelling from overseas to be part of the band’s farewell appearances.
Stirling and Central Scotland saw hotels and guest houses fully booked, with restaurants, bars and taxi firms among those who benefited from a boost to the local economy estimated at more than £7 million.
Farmer said he believes many more exciting events for Stirling are now in the pipeline following the success of the Runrig concerts.
“The concerts have really spiked the interest of concert promoters across the country and we’ve already had a number of expressions of interest in holding similar events at City Park,” he said.
“Our economic development, culture and tourism team worked hard to make The Last Dance for Runrig happen and has already been in talks with major players in the music industry about some other pretty exciting projects.
“The spectacular sight of Runrig saying farewell to 25,000 fans in the shadow of Stirling Castle had the hairs going up on the back of my neck – and we want more of this sort of thing to showcase the best of the city.”
Stirling Council’s deputy leader, Danny Gibson, said: “There was a real festival feel around Stirling and it is wonderful news that so many traders have enjoyed a welcome revenue boost. Stirling is a city that is well worth making a song and dance about.”
Fans from as far as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Scandinavia, Germany and the US travelled to Stirling for the band’s final live appearances on Friday and Saturday. And Runrig went out with a bang on Saturday night with a sensational firework display that showed the castle in a completely new light.
Gibson called for residents to back such events, saying: “It is obviously impossible to have an influx of 45,000 people and have no disruption but we hope any residents adversely affected can appreciate the benefits such an event brings to the city.”
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