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You don’t need me to tell you that the country’s night time economy – that’s pubs, clubs and restaurants – is struggling. Inflation, operating costs and lack of late night transport are just some of the issues impacting the age old tradition of a night on the town.

One of the areas of the industry that has been hardest hit is grassroots music venues, which face being squeezed out by bigger arenas. This can also impact the emerging artists looking for somewhere to start out.

Decision makers in Glasgow have taken steps to inject some much-needed cash into Glasgow’s music scene. City councillors have approved a £1 levy on tickets for large-scale concerts and events.

This will be added to ticket prices for concerts and events held at large venues in the city like the OVO Hydro, Hampden Park, and the SEC Armadillo, which frequently host internationally renowned artists and attract millions of visitors annually.

Proceeds from the surcharge will be funnelled into a dedicated fund aimed at supporting smaller, independent music venues, many of which are vital for nurturing emerging talent but struggle under rising operational costs.

The local councillors behind the proposal argue that the policy will redistribute a small fraction of the revenue from Glasgow’s thriving mega-gig scene to smaller venues, which play a critical role in the city’s cultural identity.

The levy is expected to provide a financial lifeline to allow venues to invest in infrastructure, sound equipment, and promotions while maintaining affordable prices for audiences. This support comes at a critical time, with a number of grassroots music spaces across the UK forced to shut down in recent years.

While the £1 levy might sound modest, it has sparked some debate. Critics have raised concerns about whether concertgoers will be deterred by increased ticket prices. Others argue that large venues and promoters may try to shift additional costs onto consumers beyond the levy itself.

In my opinion, the charge is relatively minor compared to the overall cost of attending a concert, which can include steep ticket prices. Tickets for major acts can range from £60–£150, and that’s for the cheap seats! VIP packages can cost substantially more. Therefore, a wee £1 fee is unlikely to significantly impact demand.

It’s a balancing act which I think the local leaders responsible for this decision have shown they understand. Mega-gigs bring in millions of pounds each year through tourism, and hospitality. By reinvesting a small portion of these proceeds into grassroots venues, the council aims to sustain a pipeline of homegrown talent while safeguarding the diversity of its music scene.

The reaction from the music industry has been largely positive. Promoters, venue owners, and artists have welcomed the initiative as a progressive step towards maintaining a local and sustainable music ecosystem.

A spokesperson from the Music Venue Trust, a charity supporting grassroots music venues, praised the council’s forward-thinking approach, noting that Glasgow is setting an example for other cities grappling with similar challenges, adding: ‘This levy represents a vital investment in the future of live music. It shows that Glasgow values not just its big stages but its small ones too.’

Major venues, including the OVO Hydro, have expressed cautious optimism, emphasising the importance of transparency and collaboration to ensure the fund is managed effectively.

The policy will soon come into effect, with funds collected quarterly and distributed based on applications from qualifying venues. The city council plans to work closely with stakeholders to refine the process and ensure funds are directed where they are most needed.

I reckon that, while the £1 levy is unlikely to solve all the challenges facing Glasgow’s music venues, it marks a significant step in supporting the city’s cultural heritage – after all Glasgow is a UNESCO City of Music, a label not many cities can shout about.

By taking this bold move, Glasgow continues to cement its reputation as a city that prioritises its creative soul, offering a model that other cities might soon follow.


Scottish Spirit Shines Through Festive Kindness

Christmas is a time for connecting with loved ones and friends, and businesses across Scotland are embracing that holiday spirit by tackling loneliness among the elderly in imaginative ways. From football nostalgia to furry friends, the season is all about bringing people closer.

In Elgin, Football Memories sessions, run by the Football Memories Scotland charity, are bringing joy to elderly football fans. Scottish football legend Colin Hendry recently joined an event, which was sponsored by Specsavers, where older fans shared memories of Scotland’s footballing triumphs, such as Archie Gemmill’s iconic goal against the Netherlands in the 1978 World Cup.

Over tea and laughter, attendees can celebrate their shared love of the beautiful game. These sessions highlight how businesses community initiatives can keep the spirit of connection alive.

Meanwhile, ScotRail has pledged to make train travel more welcoming for elderly passengers. Partnering with Age Scotland, it has branded up one of its trains with the brand logo. The branded train serves as a moving symbol to combat loneliness and highlight the importance of supporting older people in Scotland. Hopefully, this will encourage small gestures like offering help with bags or sharing a friendly chat with older travellers this holiday season.

On a heartwarming note, a Scottish charity is pairing lonely older adults with rescue pets, spreading paws-itive vibes. These furry companions bring joy and provide a sense of purpose, proving that the best gifts are sometimes four-legged and have wagging tails.

Through thoughtful initiatives like these, Scottish businesses are truly making Christmas a time for togetherness.


It Made Me Laugh

Tartan Army: Scotland’s Best Tourism Ad

Earlier this summer, Scotland’s Tartan Army travelled to Germany in their droves. From Munich to Cologne to Stuttgart – and virtually every German town, village and campsite between – Scotland fans brought a riot of colour and noise that captured the hearts of the host nation.

And it seems they left a lasting impression. VisitScotland has reported an 83 per cent rise in website visits from Germany compared to the same period last year, fuelled by the 200,000 Scots who travelled to cheer on their team.

Images of kilt-clad fans celebrating in German cities flooded social media and news pages, with German fans voting them the best supporters of the tournament. It is fantastic to see this goodwill is translating into economic impact, with more Germans exploring Scotland as a holiday destination.


It Made Me Weep

Scotland’s Office Space Crunch Deepens

Scottish cities are facing a troubling shortage of prime office space, with the gap between demand and availability becoming critical.

Experts warn that this could deter businesses from expanding or relocating, risking Scotland’s competitiveness on the global stage.

Edinburgh and Glasgow are under pressure as aging office stock struggles to meet modern sustainability and functionality standards. Rising construction costs and lengthy planning processes have slowed down new developments, while a push for eco-friendly designs further complicates projects.

The lack of high-quality office spaces isn’t just a business issue—it impacts Scotland’s economic growth and job market, casting a shadow over its ambitions as a business hub.

Here’s hoping we see a swing in fortune in 2025.

Full-page newspaper scan with four distinct column sections: Glasgow’s music venue levy, festive loneliness initiatives, Tartan Army’s tourism effect, and office space concerns.
Shaf Rasul’s column in The Scottish Sun, 23rd December 2024 – Glasgow’s £1 arena levy supports grassroots music, festive acts of kindness, Germany falls for Scottish fans, and a growing office space gap.