It’s viva Glasvegas as Leven venue secures live music licence

Nightclub owner hopes to revitalise Leven town centre by bringing top bands

A Leven music venue plans to host more big names after being granted a new licence.

Truth nightclub is in talks with acts including Cast and The Skids after previously hosting Glasvegas and The View, attracting music lovers from all over Scotland to Levenmouth.

Owner Lee Murray was granted a major variation to his operating conditions after telling councillors on Fife Licensing Board that developing Truth as a live venue would reap benefits for the town.

“We’re not just talking about live bands which play the local ex-servicemen’s club, we’re talking about guys who have been on Top of the Pops and people going to the Hydro in Glasgow, and the Barrowlands in Glasgow,” he said.

“We’re talking about bringing bands like The View, Glasvegas and The Skids into Leven town centre.”

He added that other businesses in the town had seen a “significant improvement” in trade when Truth had hosted major gigs in the past.

Mr Murray is in the process of lining up more acts, including a solo set from The View’s Kyle Falconer.

He added: “I stay in Leven and it’s my home town. I’m very passionate about it and about bringing these acts to the town, and lifting the community.”

The board granted a licence for the venue to host live music no more than six times over a period of six months.

Councillors asked Mr Murray to give the board a month’s notice of forthcoming events. In addition, a strategy for controlling the attendance of young people must be agreed with licensing standards officers and the police.

A neighbouring resident raised an objection to the licence.

Mr Murray said the North Street venue had been shut down for nearly a decade before he re-opened it.

“I totally sympathise,” said the nightclub owner.

“Somebody has had a quiet time since they moved there, but the property has had a licence since that time.”

Licensing solicitor Andrew Thomson said: “The live bands would stop at what’s generally considered to be a reasonable time in the evening. The bands would cease at 10.45pm.”

Truth has also been allowed to host under-18s discos. The board was told that no alcohol would be on display or for sale during these events.

I stay in Leven and it’s my home town. I’m very passionate about it and about bringing these acts to the town, and lifting the community

Picture: Steven Brown. Lee Murray outside his club Truth on North Street, Leven.