A GLASGOW-BASED events company has announced a multi-million pound investment to bring popular events GlasGLOW and Elfingrove back to the city.
itison revealed on Thursday it is investing £4m to bring back its flagship winter events to the West End.
Combined, the investment will create 300 jobs over the winter period and contribute an estimated £14m to the local economy.
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Now coming into its fifth year, GlasGLOW, which takes place in the Botanic Gardens, bolsters the local area with £6m economic impact, estimates the company.
According to itison, it drives tens of thousands of visitors, of which 62% is from the local area, into the surrounding bars, restaurants, shops and hotels.
The idea was first conceived in 2010, but it took until 2018 to fund and bring the show to life.
Now, GlasGLOW is hailed as one of the biggest sound and light shows in Scotland, and one of the largest Halloween events in the UK.
Meanwhile Elfingrove, founded originally in 2019, is Scotland’s biggest bespoke ice rink, inspired by Rockefeller’s iconic ice rink.
It returned to Kelvingrove Museum in 2021.
Itison CEO, and founder of GlasGLOW, Oli Norman said: “Over the past two years, the event sector has been decimated by Covid - now we’re facing soaring supply chain costs, the cost-of-living crisis and the steepest energy hikes we’ve seen in our lifetime.
“We firmly believe though that people need things to look forward to – the darker nights, cold weather and uncertain economic and political climate have a heavy impact on our emotional and mental well-being.
"These events light up our city and bring people together creating joyful experiences – making them all the more important.
“The theme for this year’s GlasGLOW is still under wraps – the idea came to me when I was on the Isle of Skye with family which might give a clue away – but I’m excited to bring both events back more spectacular than ever before.”
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The first GlasGLOW trailer and show details will drop next week on August 17.
The itison Pumpkin Fund, created in 2019, will also return for 2022, donating 1000 free tickets to good causes around the city to help those who might not be able to attend otherwise, and funding projects in the local area.
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