LISTEN: Calls for wider discussion on future of Scotland’s festivals
MSP Liz Smith says the decision to cancel 2017's T in the Park was the right one.
An MSP says there had to be wider discussion on the future of festivals in Scotland - following the cancellation of next year's T in the Park.
Organiser DF concerts confirmed yesterday that it would be taking a break - so they could sort out the problems the event's been plagued by since it moved to Strathallan.
Tory Member Liz Smith says it's the right decision - and the lessons learned should be reflected on elsewhere...
And the decision not to stage T in the Park next year could cost DF Concerts 50-thousand pounds.
The Scottish Government had previously given the events firm a 150-thousand pound grant to help relocate to Strathallan.
However, it came with the condition 50-thousand is given back every year the event doesn't run up to and including 2017.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “T in the Park has been an important festival in Scotland’s annual portfolio of events for over two decades and we are disappointed that the event organisers have taken the decision not to stage it next year.
“The Scottish Government has worked with the event’s organisers in relation to the relocation of the event to Strathallan, including providing grant funding for related transitional costs.
“We hope the organisers can address some of the challenges they have encountered recently to allow the festival to return in the near future.”