Finally some good news for venues
If you have been following what I have been writing about in the last year, you will know it has been a mixture of ups and downs.
Since lockdown started last March, I have written about the plight of music venues, musicians, roadies, backstage technicians and also young music students.
Probably the most expensive part of the music industry is live music venues and it was that part of the music industry that was hit hardest and most at risk.
If there were no music venues, there would be nowhere for bands of all levels to play and no work for all the supporting businesses, like PA companies, light hire, promoters and agents.
So, it was good news when Creative Scotland delivered the second part of its Grassroots Music Venues Stabilisation Fund for two Paisley music venues. Callum’s Cavern received £19,298 and The Bungalow has been given £38,000.
Callum’s Cavern hadn’t applied for the first grant, but, after being encouraged to go for the second one, venue owner Margaret Paterson decided to give it a go.
I caught up with her recently and asked her all about it.
She said: “Grant applications aren’t my thing, so it was a bit nerve-racking trying to fill it in.
“There reached a point where I was going to not bother about it, but I stuck to it and sent it off and I’m so happy I did.”
She added: “It’s a lifesaver.
“We closed nearly a year ago and the place lay empty, so it began to suffer.
“I was going in to put the heating on every so often to stop the dampness setting in. It worked in part, but I was worried as each month went by.
“There is no doubt this funding gives us a lifeline and now I can look forward to welcoming everyone back to enjoy music once again.”
I watched a video Margaret had put up on Facebook. It was heartbreaking. Here was a woman who had put her heart and soul into her business.
Her face tells it all. She was at breaking point and looked like chucking it in.
This is a woman who helps her community and her customers by making sure they are safe, making sure they don’t go hungry and they are looked in on to make certain they are not isolated and suffering from mental health issues.
I am absolutely over the moon that Margaret got the funding to ensure the future of her business.
She deserves every penny and, when restrictions are lifted and we open up, help her by popping in, buying a beer and raising your glass to her.
For The Bungalow, the grant means it will still be a part of Paisley’s music scene and folklore.
The venue’s Alan McEwan said: “We were always pretty hopeful that we would get something from the second phase of the grant, but taking things for granted in this game is not wise.
“It is fantastic that the uncertainty about our future has been settled. So, instead of bracing ourselves for the worst, we are looking to the future.
“The time we had over the last year gave us the chance to look at what we do and work out ways to improve both the venue and our programme.
“We are looking at live streaming our events. This will increase access for those who have mobility problems and those who find ticket prices a barrier.
“We will be offering a live video recording for bands too.”
A total of 82 venues across Scotland have received grants through the fund.
This is great news for the whole of the Scottish music scene.