ALL large-scale events in Renfrewshire have been scrapped until at least November as the coronavirus crisis continues to take a heavy toll.

The decision means the annual Johnstone Fire Engine Rally, Renfrew Gala Day and Barshaw Gala Day are all cancelled, with events planned as part of Renfrewshire Doors Open Day also pulled.

In addition, The Spree arts festival and the Paisley Hallowe’en Festival will no longer take place.

All Renfrewshire Council-run events after October will continue to be reviewed in line with national guidance from the Scottish Government and public health advice, with a decision on whether or not to stage Christmas lights switch-on events in Johnstone, Renfrew and Paisley expected by June 30.

Allan Henderson, chair of the Johnstone Business Consortium, said the council is “absolutely right” to cancel events, even though this will be a bitter blow for many traders already struggling to cope with the Covid-19 lockdown.

He told The Gazette: “There’s too much uncertainty going on and we’ve got to err on the side of caution or we could end up in a bigger mess than we’ve already been through.

“Everybody’s in the same boat. Let’s get the small shops opened up first and sensibly before we start having events and large gatherings of people.

“It’s going to be very challenging times for businesses and a lot of jobs are going to be lost but who are we meant to blame for this?”

Tom Wallace, chair of Johnstone Community Council, added: “I think everyone’s sad that these events have had to be cancelled but it’s a very difficult balance.

“People’s businesses could be gone within weeks because everyone is in lockdown but, at the end of the day, what’s more important – businesses or people’s lives?

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the Christmas lights switch-on event is cancelled, which would be sad, especially for the kids, but we are where we are.”

Lindsay McKillop, secretary of Renfrew Community Council, also backed the decision to scrap major events.

She said: “It’s awful that Renfrew Gala Day has been cancelled but I think it was the only option.

“I think it was a difficult decision for anybody to make because look at the money that’s being lost and the charities who rely on that for their yearly income but we also need to be realistic. If we can’t open a pub just now, how can we hold these big events?”

Renfrewshire Council leader Iain Nicolson said cancelling major events is “the prudent action to take.”

He added: “Since we announced the cancellation of our spring/summer programme, festivals and events in the UK and further afield scheduled up until October have continued to be cancelled.

“The current advice on mass gatherings and events is expected to be in place for some months to come, along with significant physical distancing restrictions.”

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond

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