Simply the best

New year’s eve went off in Docklands this year with some observers reporting the best celebration so far.

Veteran Docklander Michele Anderson rated it as the best, while Docklands Chamber of Commerce President Keith Rankin said it was “possibly” the best he’d seen in 18 years.

NewQuay precinct manager Simon Duffield said this year was not expected to top the 2011 celebration, but it did.

“Everyone was well behaved and it all went like clockwork,” he said. “And it was great to see the retailers smiling.”

“The restaurants had two sittings and they were extremely happy,” Mr Duffield said.

Ms Anderson said new years eve was the biggest crowd she had ever seen in Docklands.

“And it was a great crowd too.  Everyone was happy,” she said.

Mr Rankin agreed that the attitude of the crowd was first class.  

“I did not see any unsavoury incidents,” he said.  “It was a real family night – a real winner for Docklands.”

“We’ve had some really good new year’s eves over the years but this one was possibly the best ever.  The challenge now is to take the next step and work out how to transform this event which has grown organically into a festival over the whole day and night,” Mr Rankin said.