Highlands live music venue issues plea to Scottish Government to reopen
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A major Inverness music venue has volunteered to become a pilot site for live cultural events which comply with coronavirus regulations.
The Ironworks – which has been closed since March – made the offer to the Scottish Government amid confusion over what it is allowed to do under newly-introduced rules in Scotland.
Although the Highlands are in tier one, which allows small seated indoor events, city music venues are still awaiting clarification.
They include the Ironworks in Academy Street and Hootananny’s in Church Street.
Ironworks owner Caroline Campbell is calling for further guidance but also felt the club was in a unique position to pilot compliant live cultural events.
Despite raising questions with the Scottish Government and Highland Council, she is still waiting to hear if the club can open.
"As a business we are desperate to plan and get live music back to the Highlands whatever shape or form that entails but most importantly this has to be both safe for staff, artists, customers and the community," she said.
"We are in a unique position as the region’s largest music venue which is a commercial business not in receipt of government funding."
As an employer of 61 staff and with rent and many other outgoings, she urged policy makers to share clear guidelines urgently.
"Given our unique situation and our innovative ideas for delivering small events in a socially distanced manner, we have offered our venue as a pilot site for tier one compliant cultural events," she said.
Kit Fraser, of Hootananny’s, said he had booked bands for the reopening of his venue tonight.
But after seeking guidance from various sources the bemused publican cancelled them and will play a nine-hour recording featuring bird songs instead.
"I am outraged," he said. "We are a live music venue but cannot play live music.
"When people walk in they will hear parrots and canaries instead."
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart is seeking clarity regarding the Ironworks from Scotland’s Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop
"We just need this to be confirmed so that this business can be reopened safely with proper social distancing in place," he said.
"We are tier one and that reflects the lower instances of the disease so my view is the Ironworks should be open."
He said the Ironworks was a great asset for Inverness and the Highlands.
A Scottish Government spokesman said the Ironworks had faced unimaginable challenges.
"We are aware the Ironworks wants to open its doors, and we are currently preparing guidance which we will issue as soon as possible which will allow it to do so," he said.
