Edinburgh city council has refused to grant a license for a public entertainment event at the Royal Highland Centre, following the tragic death of a teenager at a Halloween disco.

Police objected to the ‘high risk’ dance music event going ahead where previous shows had resulted in multiple hospitalisations. On October 31, 19-year-old Maya Nager tragically died after collapsing at the Terminal V music festival at Ingliston. Police Scotland is continuing to investigate the circumstances of the teenager’s death.

Edinburgh City Council’s licensing sub-committee voted to not approve a licence for an event in December which was to include artists Vengaboys, TTF, DJ Sammy and Ultrabeat. This is despite organisers, TF Events and Highland Centre, assuring ‘additional measures’ were planned to curb any drug misuse and dealing, such as increased numbers of stewards and medical staff and more stringent searches on entry.

Speaking at the council's licence sub-committee, PC Greig Stephen, from the Edinburgh Police Division, confirmed that there have been too many drug-related incidents at the Royal Highland Centre (RHC) previously to justify another rave. He reported that public safety officers said the 5000-capacity event would be similar to the ‘Ultimate 90’s Rave’ held at the RHC, in April, which was marred by drugs and criminality.

He stated: “At that specific event, which was a similar capacity to what’s being proposed, there were 23 medical cases, one of which was taken to hospital for drug-related concerns and one of these medical cases was a 16-year-old having consumed ecstasy. There were 73 positive drug searches, the majority for cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy.”

Responding to the organisers’ pledge to go ‘above and beyond’ to mitigate anyone coming to harm, councillor Cathy Fullerton said: “Why has it taken you so long to up your game in respect of drug awareness and stewarding? If you look at the catalogue of previous events, going above and beyond was maybe appropriate then as well.”

TF Events said it was ‘blindsided’ by Edinburgh City Council’s decision and was used as a ‘scapegoat’. It said: "Our intention with our shows has always been to bring our fans together for a 'Christmas Party’ which is reflected in the support acts we booked for the show. We feel that we are being used as scapegoats and it is unfair that we have been tarred with the same brush as a rave event for teenagers."

It is understood the event has now moved to the Barrowlands, in Glasgow.

A spokesperson from Royal Highland Centre said: “The Royal Highland Centre has held numerous events this year with positive feedback from attendees and event organisers.

"We are not in a position to comment on individual planning applications for client events, however based on our track record as a successful events venue, we are confident of securing the required permissions from the City of Edinburgh Council for the many events in the diary for 2023 and beyond.”