Brakes put on Scottish drive in events until 2021
In light of the new Tier restrictions, the Scottish company behind one of the UK's largest drive-in tours, The Parking Lot Social, has been forced to cancel all dates in Scotland for the rest of 2020.
Article Source: The Parking Lot Social
First Published: 16 December 2020 12:11
Updated: 16 December 2020 12:12
The Scottish company behind one of the UK’s largest drive-in tours, The Parking Lot Social, has vowed to bring its events back to Scotland in 2021 despite being forced to cancel all dates north of the border for the rest of the year, including a specially commissioned live action drive-in panto.
Drive-in events are only permitted in Tier 1 and 2 areas in Scotland, despite being allowed to take place in all tiers across the UK. Glasgow-based production company XL Event Lab, organiser of The Parking Lot Social, opened its Winter Festival in England and Wales earlier this month with a string of sold out events.
The company was due to start its Scottish runs in Edinburgh and Glasgow today (Wednesday 16th December) but a final appeal to the Scottish Government on Tuesday to reclassify drive-ins failed, and events have now been cancelled.
Grahame Ferguson, co-CEO of XL Event Lab, producers of The Parking Lot Social, said: “For the past eight weeks we have been pleading with both the Scottish Government and Event Scotland to re-classify drive-ins so that they can take place in Tier 3 areas, just as they can in the other three home nations.
“While we were successful in initiating a review of the classification, the outcome was that the original decision was upheld. Quite frankly, this beggars belief. The Government is happy to allow thousands of customers to flock in to shopping centres and retail parks in Tier 3, but they won’t allow members of the public to attend a drive-in pantos or movies with their own family inside their own car. It's illogical.
“Since the start of December, we've taken our Winter Festival to cities across England and Wales and the reception at each tour stop has been fantastic. As a Scottish company, we are bitterly disappointed that our own Government has decided that they know better than the English, Welsh and Northern Irish administrations who have all recognised drive-ins to be a safe way of providing entertainment and have allowed them to operate, even in the strictest tier levels.
“Over 10,000 car-loads of families who had purchased tickets will now be disappointed along with the dozens of performers, event staff, contractors and various other parts of our supply chain who will be financially impacted by this decision.”
All tickets to The Parking Lot Social’s Winter Festival events in Scotland are now being automatically refunded.
Latest Edinburgh News
The Last Dance will premier on Sky Arts this month
Runrig's sell-out farewell concerts, filmed live in front of 50,000 fans by BAFTA-winning Glasgow-based digital entertainment company, Blazing Griffin, receives its UK TV premiere on Sky Arts!
Learn at home whilst exploring Scotland virtually
With schools closed to most pupils, some of Scotland's most popular visitor attractions are offering homeschooling help to parents across the country!
Celebrate Burns Night with Invisible Cities
Invisible Cities, the social enterprise that trains people who have previously experienced homelessness, will be hosting an online quiz to celebrate Burns Night.
Stroke Association calling for local residents to put in the strides for stroke
The Stroke Association in Scotland is encouraging local residents to get involved in its 'Stride for Stroke' challenge, to walk 10,000 steps a day for 120 days.
Edinburgh care home thanks community for its support
Care UK’s Cairdean House, an Edinburgh care home, has thanked the community for supporting its gifting initiative for local youngsters.
Shop local with Bonnie Bairn as the premier pregnancy & family fair in Scotland goes digital
Bonnie Bairn, Scotland's Premier Pregnancy & Family Fair is set to take place online for the first time ever, encouraging a nation of parents to #ShopLocal from the comfort of their own home.
COP26 volunteer programme launches ahead of global event
Glasgow City Council is looking for a team of around 1000 volunteers to support the staging of this globally significant event.
Organisations urged to share innovation success at Datafest21
The Data Lab is calling on organisations contributing towards Scotland’s reputation of being at the cutting edge of innovative technology to share their successes to mark Datafest21.
Dobbies release podcast to mark first Stroke Prevention Day
The UK’s leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centres, teamed up with the Stroke Association to mark Stroke Prevention Day.
The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show goes online
Scotland's biggest staycation event, The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show, is going online for 2021 in a free virtual event!
The World Tunes in to Celtic Connections 2021!
With over 10,000 festival passes already sold, 44 countries from around the world will be tuning in to tonight's Celtic Connections Opening Concert!
Wedgwood the Restaurant has created a five course lockdown feast to celebrate Burns Night
Edinburgh’s award-winning Wedgwood the Restaurant is the first restaurant in the UK to launch a ‘Burns Box’, available nationwide, to celebrate Burns Night (25th January) in lockdown.
Charity single released to help give young performers opportunities
Glasgow Philharmonia are well known for their big performances up and down the country... but for the first time ever, they have released a charity single!
Contini Edinburgh launches Burns Zoom Party Supper
Celebrate Scotland’s national bard this Burns Night with a Burns Zoom Party Supper from Contini Edinburgh!
Scottish charity set to host the Biggest Online Burns Supper
Specialist charity SBH Scotland is joining forces with international superstar Fran Healy, as well as Scottish comedians Janey Godley & Fred MacAulay to host the world's biggest virtual Burns supper!
Celtic Connections marks one week to go with programme announcement
The Celtic Connections online festival will begin one week today. Across 19 days, the festival will present over 30 online performances between 15th January and 2nd February!
Take the Dry January challenge with the first alcohol free dark ale in Scotland
One of Scotland’s most awarded independent craft breweries is encouraging people to take the ‘Dry January’ challenge with the country’s first alcohol-free dark ale.
First look at the only koala joey in UK
An adorable six-month old koala joey has been caught on camera for the first time at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Edinburgh Zoo, peeking out of its mother’s pouch.
Funding boost for Scottish heritage projects
Brisbane Observatory, Govanhill Baths and The Ridge Foundations CIC are among the latest round of Historic Environment Support Fund recipients!
Christmas is NOT Cancelled in Kirkliston
Santa will be touring the village on Christmas Eve – all within government ‘elf and safety guidelines.
Santa Claus is coming to town... oh yes he is!
Gather the family around the TV this Christmas and join in the usual fun and frolics of a Pavilion Panto!
Brakes put on Scottish drive in events until 2021
In light of the new Tier restrictions, the Scottish company behind one of the UK's largest drive-in tours, The Parking Lot Social, has been forced to cancel all dates in Scotland for the rest of 2020.
Rapunzel by the National Theatre of Scotland is set for festive release in selected Scottish cinemas
Rapunzel, the innovative new festive film from the National Theatre of Scotland, created in a first-time partnership with Historic Environment Scotland, is set to hit screens this month!
Edinburgh food blogger crowned best home baker in Scotland
An Edinburgh food blogger has been crowned Scotland’s finest home baker in time for the finale of the hit TV show, The Great British Bake Off.
Poetry anthology gives voice to unheard people of Scotland
A Scottish literature charity this week publishes an anthology of poetry that gives voice to some of Scotland's unheard groups and voices.
Edinburgh International Childrens Festival confirmed for May 2021
Imaginate, the organisation which produces the successful Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, have confirmed that they are planning an exciting festival for next year.
Conifox Adventure Park gives back this Christmas in an effort to spread a little festive cheer
Conifox Adventure Park has spent the run up to Christmas giving back, in an attempt to show that ‘all is not lost’ when it comes to connecting with your community in 2020.
Photographers answer the call of nature
Nature-inspired photography competition winners announced by Loch Lomond Shores.
The Scots Magazine launch free virtual festival celebrating the best of Scotland
Launching on December 14th, ‘Adventure To Your Desktop’ is a five-day online festival bringing to life the best of Scotland, through how-tos, cook-alongs and masterclasses from Scottish talent.
Dance Base Scotland announce a celebration of creativity, movement and connection
Dance Base Scotland present a night of performance, movement and celebration, all filmed from their studios in Edinburgh and streamed to audiences across the world.
Sponsored Links
