New events group in Inverness says safety is top priority as it looks to generate year-round programme as coronavirus restrictions ease
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A newly-formed forum aiming to generate a year-round programme of vibrant events in Inverness has met for the first time.
It included representatives from the events sector such as live music, festivals and football.
They are looking at ways in which they can individually and collaboratively work in partnership with High Life Highland which is assuming responsibility for managing the city's events programme on behalf of Highland Council.
High Life Highland’s events development manager, Amy MacLeod, said: "We really appreciate the representatives from the events sector taking time out to attend something that will become a regular forum to help the team at High Life Highland understand what is important in delivering the new events partnership.
"Listening to colleagues from the sector, it is clear they have been hit extremely hard by the impacts of the pandemic. "However, what was even more clear was their willingness to work with us to reassure all event attendees, both locals and visitors to the area, that post-Covid safe operation and fun, will be the over-riding priorities in any decisions about events going forward."
Representatives included Les Kidger from LCC Live Events.
"It was really great to get around a table with similar, like-minded individuals who are keen to work together to make sure that our respective event customers can come along to enjoy themselves, while they feel safe and secure in knowing those involved are looking after them but not at the expense of their enjoyment," he said.
Scot Gardiner, chief executive of Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC, said the football club had faced a number of challenges over the last number of months in just trying to make sure it remained Covid-19 compliant and that fixtures could go ahead.
"We have, therefore, learned a great deal about some of the systems that we may expect the Scottish Government to ask the events sector to put into play as things are relaxed," he said.
"I am obviously more than happy to share our learning with others on this forum."
Dougie Brown, one of the team responsible for delivering the Gathering and Belladrum Festival, said: "We are really keen to work with the events team at High Life Highland and hope that along with the other promoters and operators in the sector, we can incorporate our events to make the city events programme a real partnership opportunity that can only be a benefit to the residents and visitors to Inverness and the wider Highlands, whilst helping to bolster the local economy as the programme is grown and developed."
High Life Highland is awaiting further updates from the Scottish Government as to what restrictions may be relaxed for larger scale events, and how it can work with others from the sector to enable any measures that may be required to allow post-pandemic events to go ahead.
Inverness Provost Helen Carmichael said it was "extremely reassuring" to hear the new forum was bringing together key players in the events sector.
"Partnership working will ensure that when restrictions are lifted, attendees can return to Covid-safe, secure but fun and enjoyable events across the city and the Highlands," she said.
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