Scottish Liberal Democrats table motion on Edinburgh Jazz Bar closure

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today criticised the SNP-Green Government for failing to do enough to support Scotland’s hospitality and culture sectors, as he tabled a motion on the closure of the Edinburgh Jazz Bar.

Last week, it was announced that The Jazz Bar, an iconic music venue in Edinburgh, will close after almost 20 years. Founded in 2005, the venue played host to a huge variety of musicians and was an integral part of the city’s music community.

The venue’s website indicated that the cost of living crisis and operational challenges “proved too much” to carry on running.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

“The Jazz Bar’s closure will cut deep into the heart of the city’s cultural landscape, while delivering a huge blow for all those in the music community.

“The SNP love to masquerade as advocates for Scottish culture, but, in reality, we have seen far too many cultural venues and initiatives, such as the Screen Machine and the Edinburgh Filmhouse, coming under increasing threat on their watch.

“By slashing the culture budget, cutting money from local government and failing to support businesses with the cost of living, SNP and Green ministers are unleashing a rising tide of pressure for our culture and hospitality sectors.

“I want to see the Scottish Government investing for the future to preserve Scotland’s proud musical, artistic and literary history, and working with the UK Government to help ease the strains on businesses struggling to stay afloat. If they do not, I worry we could see many more businesses facing the same fate as The Jazz Bar.”