THE founder of the West End Festival hopes a new winter show will breathe life into the Byres Road area.

 

Michael Dale and his team are getting ready to stage the Electric Gardens - a light and sound mini-festival - in the Botanic Gardens.

And he hopes the winter event can boost business in the West End, as well as help contribute to costs for the festival later in the year.

The Evening Times-backed event will see the park and the Kibble Palace transformed into an atmospheric self-guided walking tour.

It will take place from January 23 until February 15.

Mr Dale said: "This is a great opportunity for people to come and spend some time in the Botanics and explore the area.

"It is like an outdoor exhibition, there will be light and sound effects, some live music, some sculptures and a couple of very nice surprises.

"It's a family event and we fully expect people to take photos and enjoy it."

Mr Dale said he had wanted to stage a winter event for some time.

He said: "I really wanted to expand the West End Festival to include winter events. We hope we can make this an annual thing.

"I hope people travel from all over Scotland for this eventually."

Organisers are encouraging visitors to spend time in the area and to take advantage of the businesses.

As reported in Monday's Evening Times, there are concerns shoppers are deserting Byres Road and instead choosing to go to out-of-town malls.

The on-site tearoom will also be open for anyone who wants to warm up with a hot drink.

Mr Dale said: "There's no shortage of cafes and restaurants so we'd love to see people making the most of the area.

"I would urge people to come along and enjoy something different."

Due to the natural features of the gardens, the tour is accessible to everyone.

Visitors who need disabled access will be able to drive into the Botanics to a drop off point and then park off-site.

Ticket prices for the event are £10 for adults, £8 for children or £30 for a family ticket.

Tickets can be purchased online at westendfestival.co.uk. For queries call the West End Festival office on 0141 341 0844.