A Dundee bar has cancelled its fireworks event following riots in Kirkton earlier this week.
The landlord of Nine Maidens pub announced the celebrations will not go ahead, after Dundee City Council and Police Scotland reportedly intervened.
It comes after violent scenes on Monday in the Kirkton area, after riot police were attacked with fireworks.
It is understood the council contacted pub operator Greene King – which owns the Nine Maidens building in St Mary’s – before the event was pulled.
Nine Maidens fireworks display was ‘for the community’
Nine Maidens leaseholder Stephen Tosh said he wanted to host the fireworks display after it was announced council-run public events in the city had been cancelled.
The 32-year-old said he felt “let-down” after being forced to cancel.
He said: “Our only intention for doing this was to give something back to the community.
“We’ve all had a rubbish time of it over recent years. Given there are no public displays we wanted to do something.
“The actual fireworks were being let off from my private address nearby, but it could be viewed from the grounds of the pub.”
He added: “Even before the scenes in Kirkton we were jumping over hurdles that were being thrown in front of us to make this work.
“I felt the event was going to be cancelled following the scenes in Kirkton, which to me was left to get out of control.”
Stephen, who took the lease of the pub in April, feels the fireworks event could have gone ahead with more support from the council.
‘It still could have been a successful community event’
He added: “I don’t believe it was the right decision to cancel it.
“If it had been more supported with regards to direction about any safety fears the council had it still could have been a successful community event.
“Based on this, and the lack of support over any safety concerns, I do think it was the right decision to cancel it.
“It’s disappointing that it has come to this.
“We had liaised with the fire service about the appropriate equipment needed and the exact location of the display.
“There was also investment in silent fireworks to ensure there was no issues with the noise.
“It hasn’t put me off trying to run this again next year, though I think there is an argument the council should resume public displays.
“Part of the issue we’ve also faced is our numbers swelled because there was no other local events on.
“For us this was only about bringing the local community together.”
A Greene King spokesman said: “This pub is independently operated by a tenant and we do not run the business or employ anyone in it.
“On our advice the tenant has agreed not to go ahead with their firework display.”
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said officers spoke with the organisers regarding the event.
She said: “We were made aware of the event.
“In keeping with our annual approach around safety on Bonfire Night, officers engaged with the organisers and gave safety advice.
“The decision to cancel the event was taken by the organisers.”
Dundee City Council did not respond to a request for comment.
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