'SAFETY PRIORITY'

Coronavirus Scotland: Glasgow Comedy Club event axed after cops and council fears

A DRIVE IN comedy weekend in Glasgow due to start tonight has been postponed after cops and council bosses raised last minute concerns

The plug had to be pulled on the shows at Glasgow’s Rotunda Comedy Club in Finnieston earlier today, but will now go ahead in three weeks' time instead.

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A spokesman said: "Over the past week we have liaised and discussed our procedures extensively with representatives from Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council.

"On the whole they have been positive and supportive, however there is one sticking point from yesterday’s relaxation of restrictions which is open to interpretation.

"Unfortunately it is felt more prudent and ultimately safer to take the decision to postpone until the next phase of lockdown easing which is likely to be in three weeks time.

"This being the case we are automatically moving all customer bookings from this weekend to their respective show times on the weekend of Friday 19, Saturday 20 and Sunday, June 21, which is expected to be the next phase of lockdown easing.

"Customers unable to attend those dates will be entitled to a full refund. Likewise if restrictions are not eased then we will fully refund all remaining customers.

"The staff and the comedians are all itching to get the laughs flowing again. We are disappointed, but in normal times most events take months of planning.

"However your health, your safety and your enjoyment of our events is our top priority. We look forward to being able to welcome you in three weekends' time."

The unique drive-in nights are believed to be the first live shows of any kind to be given the go ahead anywhere in Britain, since the crisis began more than two months ago.

It will be the first time paying customers have been able to watch any entertainers perform in person since lockdown measures were announced on March 23, when pubs, clubs and theatres were forced to shut down as the Covid-19 pandemic spread.

Bosses at the Finnieston venue - which has a restaurant attached - came up with the idea to make use of its vast car park allowing it to copy the traditional drive-in movie model.

Each car load will be expected to be from the same household and they’ll need to have one smartphone and a bluetooth speaker per car.

The venue will have a capacity of 75 cars, parked in alternative spaces in a chequerboard style and while pizza will be covered by the ticket price, no booze will be sold.