Glasgow council votes in favour of arena music levy

Glasgow council has passed a motion to impose a levy on gigs at the city’s biggest concert venue to support struggling small venues.

A motion from the Greens was put before councillors yesterday (12 December), calling for a £1 levy on tickets at the 12,000-capacity OVO Hydro.

Scottish Greens councillor Christy Mearns, who has brought the motion, wants any money raised to support the “unique contribution” that grassroots venues make to the city’s music scene.

Her motion also asked the council to push for enhanced night bus services and later operating hours for trains and the city’s underground system.

It was passed with cross-party support at a full council meeting of the full council. The local authority will now look into how to implement it.

The OVO Hydro is run by Scottish Events Campus Limited, of which Glasgow City Council is the majority shareholder.

Ahead of the meeting, Mearns said: “Glasgow’s Green councillors share concerns being raised by the Nighttime Industries Association and the Music Venue Trust that without urgent intervention, grassroots music venues will continue to suffer and our city’s culture could be irreparably damaged as a result.

“Glasgow has an opportunity to spearhead one of the solutions being called for by Music Venue Trust by progressing the case for a Stadium Levy in Glasgow, which could provide much-needed financial support to these venues which contribute overwhelmingly to the success of the music scene in Glasgow and far beyond.”