City to host Lord Provost banquet

Lord Provost George Grubb said Edinburgh had a vital role to play

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond are to address leading figures at the capital's first Lord Provost's banquet.

The 15 April event will be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

About 400 people from businesses and local and national government will talk about issues important to Scotland.

A private benefactor believes Scotland should have its own dinner similar to the Lord Mayor's banquet in London.

Lord Provost George Grubb said: "Edinburgh has a vital and leading role to play in the success of Scotland.

"Our city is host to the government and is the nation's major centre for business, so this event is the ideal opportunity for some of the most influential people from different spheres of Scottish life to come together to build relationships that will benefit our country as a whole."

I am delighted to be a guest at what I'm sure will be a very special event Bertie Ahern Former Taoiseach

Jenny Dawe, Edinburgh City Council leader, said: "Although we're the organising body, the funding is being provided by a private benefactor who believes that Scotland should have its own event similar to the Lord Mayor's banquet in London.

"We are very grateful to that individual for planting the seed for what we hope can become a prestigious annual event."

Mr Ahern, said: "Capital cities need to be at the centre of creating links and opportunities for the sake of the country as a whole.

"This is an ambitious move for Edinburgh, but no less than I would expect for the capital city of a nation which has good reason to be confident about its strengths and future.

"I am delighted to be a guest at what I'm sure will be a very special event."

Ron Hewitt, chief executive of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce said: "I very much welcome this initiative and I am sure that the business community will be supportive.

"In these challenging times, it's more important than ever that we should work closely with other key interests in the city and the banquet will provide a unique opportunity for us to come together to discuss how we can take our city forward."