Venues team up to protect business

The first talks have been held between Scottish music venues on how they can work to protect their businesses.

Organised by the Music Venture Trust in Glasgow yesterday, the meeting was attended by representatives from Aberdeen venues Krakatoa and The Lemon Tree and has been given backing by musical superstars including Sir Paul McCartney and KT Tunstall.

Strategic director Beverley Whitrick said: “We are delighted to have brought so many venues together and we hope this leads to the formation of a Music Venues Alliance group that can address the needs of these vital venues in Scotland.

“Agent of Change provides the solution”

“This is happening at a time when there is a real opportunity to engage with Scottish government on ideas such as Agent of Change and make real progress on measures to protect, secure and improve grassroots music venues.”

Agent of Change requires building developers to consider the impact of any nearby venues before construction on their property begins.

This could, for example, lead to houses being soundproofed to lower the number of possible complaints about live music.

North East Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald was also at the meeting.

He said: “From conversations at today’s event, it is clear the risk of being forced out of business by new developments is one of the most pressing issues facing live music venues in our cities.

“Agent of Change provides the solution to that problem.”