Halloween light show allowed to go ahead by council

A popular light show is set to return to Glasgow for a third year for the Halloween season, despite coronavirus related safety concerns.

GlasGLOW, an outdoor event at the Botanic Gardens, is due to go ahead after a temporary public entertainment licence was granted to organisers Itison.

Critics had felt the event should be scrapped but the company behind the event said it will be Covid-safe and “controlled”.

Proposals were discussed at the licensing committee on Wednesday, where councillors were informed of the extra safety measures put in place.

Oli Norman, who organised the event, said: “These are anxious times for everybody and we have 100 people currently working in the creative industries for GlasGLOW. This is year three of a highly successful event.

“As well as a public health crisis there is a rising mental health crisis.

“The Covid-19 anxiety is something that is very real.

“We have been planning this event since January. This will be a very controlled walk around the Botanic Gardens and there is huge availability for social distancing.

“We have technology that tracks everyone from coming in. We have increased our stewarding and provision for social distancing.

“This is a very family friendly event, and we will have a significantly lower amount of people in the gardens. There will be a maximum of 12 to 15 people coming through the gates at any one time.

“This year GlasGLOW will be fully outdoors. We have removed any touch points and pinch points. Many people who have purchased tickets have been to GlasGLOW before, so they know what to expect.”

Visitors will be asked to wear masks when the queue outside and the width of the pavement will be doubled to allow people to pass by. People will go into the park in a controlled fashion.

Licensing chairman Alex Wilson said: “We are all for having events, but Glasgow is suffering because we are in one of the high risk areas of coronavirus.

“It is good to see you are engaging with the appropriate services to ensure it is safe.”

GlasGLOW is expected to run from October 29 until November 15.

Story by local democracy reporter Catherine Hunter