The opening day of Dundee’s much-anticipated Winterfest event has been cancelled due to a red weather warning for strong winds during Storm Arwen.
Organisers have confirmed that the Slessor Gardens site will not open on Friday.
It comes as forecasters say there is a “risk to life” along the north-east Scottish coast between 3pm on Friday and 2am on Saturday.
Winterfest had been due to welcome revellers from 10am on Friday but those behind the event held talks and have decided that the opening will be postponed until 10am on Saturday.
A statement from the organisers M&N Events said: “Due to the red weather warning and severe wind conditions, we have taken the decision to remain closed today.
“It’s a terrible shame that we won’t be able to open Winterfest as scheduled but the public and our staff safety comes first.
“We will open tomorrow morning at 10am as scheduled, sorry for any inconvenience.
“All advance tickets can be used another day.”
‘It’s a real shame’
Stallholders have told of their disappointment at not being able to welcome visitors to the site on Friday.
Esra from Mezzaluna Italian catering in Dundee said: “We came here at 9am to set everything up.
“We sell fresh produce, so we have to be really organised to make sure we’re not creating any waste.
“Hopefully things will pick up over the weekend.”
Fellow stallholder Trevor Clark, of Cupar-based clothing firm Joe Cool, said: “Last night we spoke to the event manager to check the market was opening.
“But someone did come round this morning when we were setting up to say they were in touch with the council about the weather.
“They don’t want the winds to reach a certain level.
“A lot of the food stalls have been closed all morning.
“It’s a real shame for this to happen as the weather has been fine all week while we were setting up.”
Attractions at Winterfest include a big wheel, ice rink and Christmas market.
Dundee Winterfest map: Your interactive guide to Slessor Gardens event
