
A “modest” music and dance event could bring in the New Year in Dundee.
Around 20,000 will be sought to host an official Hogmanay celebration in the city centre.
A group, Friends of Hogmanay, has been set up and hopes to form a committee next month.
It’s also seeking the backing of Dundee City Council in bidding for funding from various organisations.
Councillor Lesley Brennan who has been leading the discussions, said: “We had a successful meeting.
“There’s agreement that everybody wants to set the group up, but it’s a willingness for partnership working between the Friends of Hogmanay and the council so that the Friends can apply for some funding from organisations like EventScotland.”
Plans are already being put in place for what Dundonians could be enjoying on Hogmanay this year.
“I think there will be at least one stage with different types of music and dancing,” Ms Brennan said. “That would be at night.
“The plan is to have some sort of market during the day to bring people in.
“The focus has been to keep it family-orientated, because obviously the concern is safety.
“But it’s also making sure local bands are involved as well, so the idea is to be realistic and start with small steps. It can build up over the years.
“The likes of the Christmas lights switch-on had 20,000 people at it last year, and that’s built up over a number of years.
“We want to start modestly and make sure we maximise our chances of success.
“We’re waiting on costing coming back, but we’d need something like 20,000.”
Council leader Ken Guild has previously said the cost of such an event would prohibit the council funding it.
He was also sceptical about the demand for a New Year celebration.
Views are mixed among various councillors of different political parties, and Ms Brennan admits some still need convincing.
“There are still a number of members needing a large degree of reassurance,” she added.
“I think they’re concerned about making sure it’s safe and everybody feels like that.
“SNP councillor Jimmy Black has had initial contact with Police Scotland and that would be the next stage.”