The Gathering 2014 – Not repeating the financial failure of the 2009

[cessna152towser]

shame on the City of Edinburgh which took in all the profits.

Correction
As a native Scot I can assure our American friends that the City of Edinburgh did NOT take in all the profits.
I would agree that many commercial businesses in the hospitality trade, pubs, restaurants, hotels etc. around Edinburgh almost certainly benefitted from the increased trade. Many of these businesses had to recruit additional staff/pay overtime which in turn fed more spending power into the Scottish economy.
However Edinburgh City Council and its council tax payers did not take any profits from the event.
Yes, 2009 was a first time event and a few mistakes were made but let us hope that whoever is in charge this time learns lessons from the previous event. Nevertheless it was Sempill's responsibility to pay the workers and performers who were employed by his company to make his event happen.

[Chas]

Jeez! How mean! Lord Sempill worked for years to get that first event off the ground. Then the Great Recession happened and economies all over the western world were in the depths of despair by the time of the Gathering 2009. Thousands of people had a wonderful time. Sure some things went wrong, but that is always the case with big events and especially on the first run.

As for the workers who did not get paid - shame on the City of Edinburgh which took in all the profits.

As for calling him nasty names, please do that in the privacy of your own home?

Julie

With all respect, Julie, that is far too simplistic and naive.

Lord Sempill made numerous basic managerial mistakes and the whole project was riddled with wishful thinking.

Right from day one, the numbers did not add up. He had ample opportunity, long before every thing was set in stone, to rectify things - but did not.

Too many little people were left with large debts because they believed his promises.

Was he out of his depth - Probably.

Should he be allowed to do it again - No.

Regards

Chas

[McClef]

There is a perceived lack of repentance expressed by Sempill who was able, it appears, to escape without any loss to himself and then he has the unmitigated gall to offer Stirling his advice for a financial consideration.

The prices alone were enough to put many off from buying the "passports"

I would rather take the advice of Sir Thomas Bouch upon how to design a rail bridge.

[mookien]

Correction
As a native Scot I can assure our American friends that the City of Edinburgh did NOT take in all the profits. ... However Edinburgh City Council and its council tax payers did not take any profits from the event.
Yes, 2009 was a first time event and a few mistakes were made but let us hope that whoever is in charge this time learns lessons from the previous event. Nevertheless it was Sempill's responsibility to pay the workers and performers who were employed by his company to make his event happen.

Thank you for that clarification.

It seems to me that the city of Stirling, or whatever government entity that grants the rights to the corporation organizing Gathering 2014, should require the organizer to post a surety (payment) bond. Have I said that before??

What puzzles me is why isn't this obvious to all those involved, and easy as falling off a log. What is it about the governance of business in the UK that obscures this, or even makes it impossible? There may be very legitimate reasons for that, eg laws, regulations, expense. But, I would love to know what they are.

OK, all those who know the answer can chime in anytime now.