Glasgow music venue the 13th Note to close after workers strike

A popular music venue in Glasgow has gone into liquidation after staff staged a strike over pay and safety concerns.

Owner of the 13th Note, Jacqueline Fennessy, said she was "devastated" at the venue closing after 21 years.

She claimed it had been "driven to insolvency" by Unite Hospitality and said there would be 18 job losses.

The union, which represents some of the 13th Note workers, accused her of "intimidation".

It also disputed Ms Fennessy's figure and said the decision affected 21 staff.

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Unite Hospitality members last week staged a 48-hour strike, and had planned to do so every weekend until 6 August.

The workers had hoped to secure better wages, improvements to health and safety and trade union recognition.

In a statement, Ms Fennessy said: "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."

Workers staged a strike outside the venue last week

She added the challenges of running an independent hospitality venue after the pandemic, and in the current financial climate, were considerable.

But Ms Fennessy continued: "However, it has been the involvement of Unite Hospitality that has caused a drastic reduction in revenue that has forced our closure and the loss of all jobs at the 13th Note."

The 13th Note was closed last month by environmental health due to a mouse infestation, but was allowed to reopen within days.

Unite said staff would strike on weekends from 14 July unless "drastic improvements" were made.

However Ms Fennessy insisted there were no health and safety issues and that staff were being paid above the living wage.

Workers left 'high and dry'

Bryan Simpson, lead for Unite Hospitality, said the closure amounted to "trade union intimidation".

He also described the decision to pay staff a week's wages and give them less than 30 days' notice as "unlawful".

Mr Simpson added they were entitled, under Section 188 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act, to a minimum period of collective consultation.

The act refers to instances where an employer proposes to make 20 or more employees redundant.

Mr Simpson said: "Unite had a firm commitment to meet with Acas, a meeting which the owner called for, and promises that redundancies would be paused.

"Then, without even speaking with the staff, the owner has reneged on this and went to the media with a sob story whilst leaving her workers high and dry."

He added some workers were not told they were being made redundant before a media statement was released.

Mr Simpson vowed: "It was the workers who made this venue, and we will do everything we can to ensure that this continues."