More than 4,000 people usually attend the traditional George Square party Glasgow's traditional Hogmanay party in George Square has been scrapped after the city council decided it was no longer delivering value for money.Instead, the focus will switch to family-friendly events aimed at boosting the day and nighttime economy.
This year's event will finish at 22:00 and feature music, ceilidh dancing and curling on the George Square ice rink.
The council said with services under pressure it was "imperative that we get the best bang for every Glasgow buck".
Value concernsCouncil leader Gordon Matheson said: "At the moment we are being asked to justify spending ?34 of public money per head on an event which just isn't delivering value and indeed received a fair amount of negative feedback last year."
Continue reading the main story Jamie McIvor BBC Scotland local government correspondentGlasgow's decision to scrap the party at the bells in George Square is bound to attract some bad publicity. Claims a hard-up council is acting like a party pooper seem inevitable.
While the need to save money is focusing minds at councils across Scotland, there is a very real question over whether the midnight event represented value for money for Glasgow City Council anyway.
The George Square celebrations attracted some big names over the years but were always modest compared to the massive celebrations in the Scottish capital Edinburgh.
The crowds along the length of Princes Street include visitors from all across Scotland, the rest of the UK and far beyond. Indeed Edinburgh's programme of Hogmanay celebrations give a big boost to the capital's tourist industry during what would otherwise be a quite spell.
The George Square party, in contrast, mostly attracts Glaswegians
The hope is the family events which will replace the midnight party will prove better value for money and more enjoyable to more people - perhaps even making the city more attractive to visitors.
Although there is a long Scottish tradition of bringing in the New Year in the open air, in many parts of the country that tradition came under threat or died out completely. Instead people began to bring in the New Year at home or with their friends.
In the 1990s though, many cities and large towns started to revive open air festivities.
Glasgow is not the first city to scrap its party at the bells. Aberdeen stopped its big city centre celebrations two years ago to focus on smaller events. Some other places, such as Stirling, have scaled back their midnight celebrations.
And while there is no threat to Edinburgh's Hogmanay, some have spoken about whether the private sector may have to foot a greater share of the cost in the future.
He added: "This is on top of the ?19 ticket price we are asking the public to pay."Contrast that with the free fireworks display in November which costs the council just ?1.50 per head, or the hugely popular Christmas lights switch on which costs ?6 per head to stage, and I think most people would agree that Hogmanay in the Square is not good value for money."
Glasgow's traditional Hogmanay celebrations attracts 4,500 to George Square but the council said this was only "a fraction of those out and about in the city" to celebrate the New Year.
The council now plans to focus resources on the existing "Glasgow Loves Christmas" events across the festive period.
This will dovetail with a "Glasgow Loves Hogmanay" series of events on 31 December which will be co-ordinated with the city's hospitality industry.
The aim is to create a family day in George Square rather than a one-off party.
Councillor Matheson added: "At a time when frontline services are under extreme financial pressure it is imperative that we get the best bang for every Glasgow buck and that is not what is happening at the moment."
He added: "The change means that the ice rink and all the other hugely popular attractions in George Square can be open to families and visitors on Hogmanay and New Year's Day which previously hasn't been possible for operational reasons.
"With special Hogmanay events up until 10pm, such as curling on the ice rink and a ceilidh, George Square will have a welcoming family feel to it throughout the New Year period."
The decision to ditch the traditional Hogmanay party has been backed by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.
Commercial director Richard Muir said: "The entertainment economy is a priority sector for us with our bars, clubs, restaurants and other venues estimated to generate ?600m for the local economy and employing almost 30,000 people throughout the city.
"By promoting Glasgow as a destination we can encourage locals and visitors to use the wide range of top-class facilities, enjoy themselves during their stay and to visit again."
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