Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart raises questions in Scottish Parliament about closure-threatened Ironworks venue in Inverness
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MSP David Stewart has asked the Scottish Government to provide support to help the Ironworks find a new home.
He questioned Fiona Hyslop, the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, at Holyrood today.
“The Cabinet Secretary will be well aware the Ironworks is a phenomenal venue for the Highlands and beyond and there are significant social and economic reasons for its survival," he said.
"Will the Cabinet Secretary make specific representations to both Creative Scotland and HIE (Highlands and Islands Enterprise) to provide help in terms of financial support, help and guidance?
"Over 2000 people have now signed my petition calling for the survival of The Ironworks.”
Mrs Hyslop said Mr Stewart was “absolutely right".
"This is not just about a business concern, this is about the cultural provision of live music in Inverness and the Highlands," she said.
She said that she had already held discussions with HIE and Highland Council and added: “The opportunity of different venues or different ways to make sure that that live music provision can be established is something that we are very keen to support, so I have asked officials at HIE and our Scottish Government officials – and I will also liaise with Creative Scotland – to ensure that we work with the owner of that individual business, but also look more widely at how we can maintain that live music provision in Inverness."
The future of the Ironworks in its current home in Academy Street in Inverness is under threat as part of plans announced last month to build a new hotel on the site.
Although a planning application has yet to be lodged it is understood the owners of the Ironworks building have agreed to vacate in the event that permission is granted.
Ms Hyslop told Mr Stewart: “There is an issue with that site, as you know, but that does not mean that we cannot work together to come up with some kind of creative solution that ensures that concerts of the popularity of those we have seen in The Ironworks in recent years can continue.”
Afterwards Mr Stewart said: “People come from all over the Highlands to see gigs at the Ironworks. It's massively important and it says so much about the character of Inverness as a city and indeed the Highlands as a whole. It’s also safe to say it’s a tourist magnet, helping the University of the Highlands and Islands boost and retain its retention rates. A decent-sized live music venue that lures the bigger bands all the way up to Inverness is what students look for when their making their university choices.
“The very real prospect of it soon being homeless has sent a real wave of sadness, and indeed frustration and anger, through my Highland and Islands constituency and seldom does one issue ripple so far.
"But it’s like someone said on my petition: live music matters, it enriches, and it saves lives. People need creative outlets more now probably than they ever did, we’re all up against a rising swell of stress and work and economic doom and gloom, and the Ironworks is, for so many people, a lifeline.
"We can’t just sit back and let it disappear because, like the owner Caroline Campbell told me, once it’s gone its gone, it takes years to rebuild the contacts books.
"I think what’s needed is joined up thinking – and with the Culture Secretary’s support I am working hard to get this.”
