News In Focus
12 November 2007
Games Bill launches in wake of Glasgow success
Glasgow's success in winning the 2014 Commonwealth Games has been quickly followed by the publication of the parliamentary bill to control commercial activities associated with the Games.
Unofficial street trading, "ambush marketing" by businesses who are not official sponsors, and ticket touting, are all targeted in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games Bill, introduced to the Scottish Parliament on Friday, the day the decision in Glasgow's favour was announced in Sri Lanka.
Measures to combat ambush marketing have been high on the agenda for major sporting events since the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, when a rival of the Games' major sponsor bought up the advertising hoardings around the Olympic stadium.
Unlimited fines
Under the Glasgow bill, no advertising - defined as any form of promotional communication - will be permitted in the vicinity of any Games event, except for certain defined categories. Street trading will also be banned, even where traders are otherwise licensed, though councils must work with authorised traders to find "alternative arrangements".
Offenders face an unlimited fine if prosecuted on indictment, or up to £20,000 on a summary complaint.
Ticket touts are also to be outlawed - any acts in connection with a sale of Games tickets above face value or with a view to profit will be caught - but can only be prosceuted summarily with a "level 5" maximum fine, currently £5,000.
Specially designated enforcement officers with powers of entry, search and seizure will be deployed against activities made illegal under the bill.
Further powers
The bill also makes provision for a Games transport plan, traffic regulation orders and compulsory purchase powers.
First Minister Alex Salmond said yesterday in a television interview that there was no need to set up a new authority to run the Games because the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Commonwealth Games Association were working well together. The bill refers to the "Organising Committee", which means the company Glasgow 2014 Ltd incorporated in June.