BUTE could play host to a festival attracting thousands of people per day in 2027, a report to councillors has suggested.
Argyll and Bute Council has been approached by organisers of the People’s Meeting, which is held annually in Denmark and has been described as “transformational” for the Scandinavian country’s island community.
It is also described as an annual democracy festival, allowing people of all political parties to “come together in a neutral political environment”.
Interest is being sought in staging a similar event in Scotland next year, with a venue expected to be selected in June this year.
A report will go before the full council at its meeting on Wednesday, April 29, with councillors asked to approve sending council leader Jim Lynch (SNP, Oban South and the Isles) and chief executive Pippa Milne to Denmark in June to experience the festival there.
Executive director Kirsty Flanagan said: “The council has been approached by the organisers of the People’s Festival in Bonholm, Denmark and representatives of the Scottish Government regarding the possibility of hosting an annual democracy festival on Bute as a possible annual event commencing in 2027.
“The festival aims to start small with a target of 1,000 visitors per day over a three-day period. Then building to 20,000 a day over a period of five years.
“In Denmark the event attracts 40,000 participants over a three-day period on the island of Bornholm which is a community with less than 2,000 residents.
“Held annually in June of each year it’s predominantly an outdoor event (tented villages, pavilions) that also uses public buildings and private accommodation as necessary.
“The festival is designed for people of all political parties to come together in a neutral political environment. It has been transformational for this community in Denmark and has attracted international interest and inspired other similar events in Norway and Sweden.
“In Denmark the festival has resulted in a five to six per cent boost in tourism, £23m to £27m increase in tourism spending and 110 to 116 additional full-time equivalent jobs with additional revenue for the council estimated at circa £700,000 per annum. The event has become financially self-sufficient through public and private sponsorship.
“The current festival in Denmark is self-funding however a period of public subsidy is required to get it up and running and further clarity is required about this before any final decision is taken.
“The organisers have already identified potential sponsors/supporters and the idea is that the financial burden on the host local authority is minimised making use of support in kind and use of council assets such as land and buildings.”
Ms Flanagan added: “It is considered that the island of Bute is a place with the capacity to deal with visitors albeit there is a current shortage of hotel space.
“It is however accessible to the Central Belt by ferry and rail for pedestrians to travel to and provides an extensive cultural offer and several local partners that can assist with the delivery of the festival working with the council and other external partners.
“It is also worth noting that Bute is an island with the highest level of unemployment in Argyll and Bute and has experienced continued population loss with limited economic opportunities.
“The festival has the potential to provide a significant economic boost to the island on an annual basis attracting a wide range of participants and potential decision makers to our area.
“The event would be held in June of each year prior to the peak tourism season providing a significant social and economic boost to the island.”
