The Final Curtain: Glasgow's 13th Note Closes After Accusing Union of 'Sabotaging' Its Business
Key Highlights :
Glasgow's iconic 13th Note venue and vegan cafe has announced that it is to close its doors for the last time after more than two decades, with liquidators being called in and 18 jobs being lost. The venue, which has been at the heart of Glasgow's Merchant City for over 20 years, has been embroiled in a bitter row with the Unite union over health and safety issues and pay disputes, with workers walking out on strike at the weekend.
The owner of the 13th Note, Jacqueline Fennessy, has accused the Unite Union of 'sabotaging' its business and driving it to insolvency, accusing one Unite representative of "bullying" and dishonesty. She said that the union's "onslaught on social media and the wider press with false and misleading stories" had made the business untenable.
The strike action coincided with the busy Glasgow Fair public holiday over the weekend, with workers planning to take action every weekend until August 6. Unite represents 95% of the workers employed at the venue, with 100% of members voting to support strike action.
The 13th Note was already struggling due to spiraling costs and the challenges of recovering from the pandemic, but Ms Fennessy said that the final factor was the Unite Union's “onslaught on social media and the wider press with false and misleading stories” which had made the business untenable.
In a lengthy statement announcing the closure, Ms Fennessy said: “It is with deep sadness that today we have been forced to close the doors of the 13th Note and appoint liquidators following operating the venue successfully for 21 years.
“Over more than two decades, we’ve played host to thousands of bands, performers, promoters and artists, while playing a significant role in the vibrant cultural scene of Glasgow.
“I’m devastated with the closure of a business I’ve cherished and loved along with the hundreds of loyal customers who frequented the Note, and I would like to thank everyone who has played a role in creating what was a vibrant Glasgow institution. It has been an honour to have been a part of your lives.”
Ms Fennessy said that despite direct talks with Unite Hospitality about the 13th Note being in crisis and all jobs being at risk, they continued publishing untruths and went ahead with strike action which has fully depleted all available funds in the business.
She added: “Why an organisation designed to protect the welfare of hospitality employees would choose to sabotage its own members’ jobs with full knowledge of the impact their action would have, I will never know.
“Every business encounters challenges, but any issues raised were rectified quickly and the team treated with integrity, respect and an honest desire to make their working lives better. The statements of serious health and safety issues were simply not true.
“With the business driven to insolvency by Unite Hospitality, it is time for the 13th Note to sadly close its doors for the last time.”
The closure of the 13th Note marks the end of an era for Glasgow's music and vegan cafe scene, with the venue having been a vibrant institution for many years. The 18 staff members affected by the closure are now facing unemployment, and the loss of the 13th Note will be felt by the city's cultural scene.
