Thousands of pounds is to be spent heightening security measures at the north-east’s biggest concert venue as a result of the increasing terrorist attacks being carried out around the world.
Tickets for all future gigs which will be held at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre and the BHGE Arena are to be raised by 65p in order to pay for the extra measures which include increased staff, security equipment and extra bag searches.
The facility fee is being introduced at all SMG Europe Venues, which includes the Manchester Arena which suicide bomber Salman Abedi targeted on May 22 this year at the end of an Ariana Grande concert.
Twenty-two people died and 250 were injured in the blast which killed Barra schoolgirl Eilidh MacLeod. She was just 14. Her friend Laura MacIntyre was seriously injured and has still not fully recovered.
If the AECC BHGE Arena was to sell out, each performance would generate an additional £5,525 to be spent on security to prevent future attacks.
Last night John Sharkey, executive vice president, European operations, at SMG Europe said the measures were being put in place to ensure customers have a relaxed and enjoyable experience at the venue.
He said: “The security of our visitors is paramount and in light of events across western Europe and beyond over the last year, new security measures are being implemented at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre and the BHGE Arena to cover patron arrival, experience and egress.
“A facility fee of £0.65 has been added to ticket prices for future events as part of the cost of the overall increased operational security infrastructure.
“This has been implemented across all SMG Europe venues. We want to ensure that patron experience is based on comfort, confidence and a relaxed and enjoyable experience at our venue.”
Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin said the fee increase was a small price to pay if it ultimately saves lives.
She said: “The Manchester terror attacks were shocking and will have a deeply profound impact on the families of those who were killed or injured. An additional charge of 65p per person in order to help the AECC up its security is a small cost which could have a big impact in protecting the lives of people who are simply going about their everyday lives.”