Scottish ministers urged to consider ticket tax to support smaller venues

Ministers in Scotland have been urged to consider proposals for a ticket tax on concerts at some of the country’s largest arenas, according to reports.

The Herald reported that Cabinet Secretary for Culture Angus Robertson called for “new thinking” over the funding of the arts in Scotland. The comments come after the Music Venue Trust called for larger arenas to make a £1 (€1/$1) contribution to its Pipeline Investment Fund for each ticket sold, in order to support smaller venues. 

Earlier this week, a 45-year-old music venue closed down in the English city of Bath, despite supporting the early careers of the likes of Oasis, Eurythmics, Radiohead, Ed Sheeran and more. 

Moles co-owner Tom Maddicott attributed the closure to the rise in costs and overheads, as well as the impact of the cost-of-living crisis in the UK. 

Following the news of the closure, Mark Davyd, chief executive and founder of Music Venue Trust, said that grassroots venues had been badly let down by the big hitters in the industry. 

He added: “Unless it gets serious about its responsibilities to encourage, nurture and develop the grassroots live sector, the music industry as a whole will face a catastrophic failure of artist development. In France all major live music events are required to pay 3.5% of each ticket sale into a fund to support grassroots artists and venues.”