Brakes put on Scottish drive in events until 2021

In light of the new Tier restrictions, the Scottish company behind one of the UK's largest drive-in tours, The Parking Lot Social, has been forced to cancel all dates in Scotland for the rest of 2020.

Article Source: The Parking Lot Social
Last Updated: 16 December 2020 12:12

The Scottish company behind one of the UK’s largest drive-in tours, The Parking Lot Social, has vowed to bring its events back to Scotland in 2021 despite being forced to cancel all dates north of the border for the rest of the year, including a specially commissioned live action drive-in panto.

Drive-in events are only permitted in Tier 1 and 2 areas in Scotland, despite being allowed to take place in all tiers across the UK. Glasgow-based production company XL Event Lab, organiser of The Parking Lot Social, opened its Winter Festival in England and Wales earlier this month with a string of sold out events.

The company was due to start its Scottish runs in Edinburgh and Glasgow today (Wednesday 16th December) but a final appeal to the Scottish Government on Tuesday to reclassify drive-ins failed, and events have now been cancelled.

Grahame Ferguson, co-CEO of XL Event Lab, producers of The Parking Lot Social, said: “For the past eight weeks we have been pleading with both the Scottish Government and Event Scotland to re-classify drive-ins so that they can take place in Tier 3 areas, just as they can in the other three home nations.

“While we were successful in initiating a review of the classification, the outcome was that the original decision was upheld. Quite frankly, this beggars belief. The Government is happy to allow thousands of customers to flock in to shopping centres and retail parks in Tier 3, but they won’t allow members of the public to attend a drive-in pantos or movies with their own family inside their own car. It's illogical.

“Since the start of December, we've taken our Winter Festival to cities across England and Wales and the reception at each tour stop has been fantastic. As a Scottish company, we are bitterly disappointed that our own Government has decided that they know better than the English, Welsh and Northern Irish administrations who have all recognised drive-ins to be a safe way of providing entertainment and have allowed them to operate, even in the strictest tier levels.

“Over 10,000 car-loads of families who had purchased tickets will now be disappointed along with the dozens of performers, event staff, contractors and various other parts of our supply chain who will be financially impacted by this decision.”

All tickets to The Parking Lot Social’s Winter Festival events in Scotland are now being automatically refunded.

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Glasgow News

Cineworld Glasgow Silverburn unveils luxury recliners and immersive 4DX experience

Cineworld Glasgow Silverburn has just completed a major transformation, introducing luxury recliner seating and an immersive 4DX auditorium!

Scottish Ensemble brings warmth to wintry nights with Concerts by Candlelight tour

Concert by Candlelight, Scottish Ensemble's celebrated long-running winter tour, returns for eight awe-inspiring performances in intimate settings around Scotland this December.

Crossbasket Castle unveils festive events for 2025

As the festive season approaches, five-star Scottish castle, Crossbasket Castle, has unveiled its calendar of seasonal events and experiences.

Feel the festive cheer at Dobbies Charity Christmas Shopping Night

Dobbies is encouraging customers to come along to their nearest store and to be the first to shop exclusive Black Friday offers at its late-night shopping event, in aid of Alzheimer's Research UK.

Autumn Offers at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection

Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched new offerings designed to inspire cosy autumn getaways and early festive escapes across Scotland.

Mowgli Street Food unveils its Christmas feasting menus

Mowgli Street Food restaurants have launched their special Christmas menus - a vibrant celebration of Indian home-style cooking, made for sharing.

The Superlative Collection to host charity fashion show in collaboration with Smart Works Scotland in Princes Square

The Superlative Collection are taking over Glasgow's iconic Princes Square, on Friday 21st November, to host a charity fashion show in collaboration with Smart Works Scotland.

KENJI to open first Scottish store at Silverburn

Silverburn, Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, will welcome Scotland’s first KENJI store this December.

Aldi calls on schools in Glasgow to sign up for healthy eating programme

Aldi is inviting schools, parents and guardians in Glasgow to sign up to its Get Set to Eat Fresh programme, which teaches children about the importance of healthy eating.

The Scottish Excellence Awards are open for entries

Nominations are open for the highly anticipated Scottish Excellence Awards 2026, a celebration of Scotland's hospitality, foodservice and tourism sectors.

Sterling Home brings festive cheer with heartfelt Christmas donation

Leading furniture retailer Sterling Home is lighting up the festive season with a generous donation of Christmas decorations and furniture to children’s hospices and hospitals across Scotland.

Dobbies Garden Centres hosts free to attend winter gardening workshop for kids

Dobbies is hosting a free-to-attend monthly gardening workshop on Sunday 2 November, for children across the country to discover how they can encourage winter birds into the garden.

Double win for Rickshaw & Co. and Raja Rani Restaurant in Glasgow at the Asian Restaurant Awards

Two of Glasgow's most loved dining spots, Rickshaw & Co. and Raja Rani Restaurant, have achieved a remarkable double victory at the Asian Restaurant Awards 2025.

Omniplex Cinema Group acquires iconic Renfrew Street cinema

Omniplex Cinemas has announced the acquisition of Glasgow's iconic Renfrew Street cinema, the tallest cinema in the world, marking an exciting new chapter for the venue.

Design your own FORTY t shirt at two stores in Glasgow tomorrow

Glasgow's homegrown streetwear brand, FORTY Clothing, is marking a major milestone in style with a series of creative design events for its customers across its stores tomorrow.

Casting announced for The Enormous Crocodile at the Kings Theatre Glasgow

The Roald Dahl Story Company today announces the full cast for the wickedly funny family musical based on Roald Dahl's The Enormous Crocodile!

One more! A quarter of Scots say they will spend their extra hour in the pub as clocks go back

To celebrate, Innis & Gunn is hosting 'Sunset Sessions' at its three Taprooms in Glasgow and Edinburgh, with live trad music performances kicking off at 4.50pm - the exact time of sunset!

FIRST LOOK: GlasGLOW returns Miles Better with its biggest show yet

80,000+ visitors expected, with opening weekend sold out, as itison unveils epic new images!

Five March brings Samhain celebrations to Glasgow with a long table five course feast

Iconic Glasgow west end restaurant, Five March, is teaming up with Edinburgh Gin to mark the end of the harvest season with a Samhain celebration feast.

Cast announced for Citz festive retelling of Beauty and The Beast

A celebration of being bold and gloriously yourself, this year’s Citizens Theatre production of Beauty and The Beast is a family-friendly and funny new take on the classic fairytale.

Expanded River Island opens at Glasgow Fort, making it the largest branch in Scotland

As part of a major 'glow up' for the brand at Glasgow Fort, River Island has relocated its existing store within the centre to a larger, more modern unit, located between Superdry and BPerfect.

Solar powered Observation Wheel, the first in the world, will be unveiled in Glasgow this Christmas

The world's first solar power Observation Wheel is set to be unveiled at Glasgow's Winter Wonderland at St Enoch Square!

Buchanan Galleries welcomes seven retailers for Christmas shopping season

Seven exciting retailers are set to join city centre shopping destination Buchanan Galleries ahead of the festive season.

Halloween is just around the corner and The Ivy Glasgow has some scarily good things up their sleeve to help celebrate

This spooky season, take a stroll down the yellow brick road and into The Ivy Buchanan Street, Glasgow as it transforms into The Ivy Emerald City.

Potential changes to permitted development rights are putting beloved live music venues at risk

The public are urged to take part in the Scottish Government's consultation on planning laws, warning that the changes could put the country's live music venues and pubs at risk. 

Pizza Punks fire up an all new menu with 1000 free pizzas

Dive into Autumn with Pizza Punks' all-new menu featuring the 'Nduja Mac Daddy, Smash Burger Pizza, Double Pepperoni & Burrata and more!

Art Exhibition and Fashion Sale to Support Strathcarron Hospice

Strathblane artists are set to captivate the community with a charity art exhibition this weekend, aiming to raise funds for Strathcarron Hospice, Denny.

Silverburn named UK Retail Destination of the Year

Silverburn has been named as 'Retail Destination of the Year' at the 2025 SCEPTRE Awards, the Oscars of retail, recognising its exceptional performance and contribution to the UK's retail industry.

CBeebies megastar Justin Fletcher will bring his brand new tour to The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow

CBeebies megastar Justin Fletcher has announced that his brand-new live theatre tour Justin Time To Rock will now continue into Spring 2026, with final tour dates just announced.