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Originally Posted by idol_wild
I always felt there was an insular approach to the way the Lemon Tree marketed and promoted its products, and frankly, you have just highlighted this completely.
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It's ridiculous to suggest that Metarie's (ex bar staff who is expressing her personal feelings/opinions) comments are reflective of the Lemon Tree's marketing strategy. Ok, this is all you have to go on and yes it's regrettable that a spokesperson is yet to issue a statement on behalf on the Lemon Tree. Bear in mind that what is in the press today is indicative of what was decided at half past 7 last night by a shocked (nevermind whether it was going to happen sooner or later) Board of Directors and that general staff (ie. marketing) were not given the opportunity to issue a statement at that point. And let's face it, it's not their jobs to do so anymore, nor is it likely to be their immediate commitment to aberdeenmusic.com to let them know.
Obviously it's not the punters' fault the Lemon Tree closed! and yes it was the Lemon Tree's job to book and promote an arts programme. However there is an argument to be made that for an arts organisation to flourish, there needs a vibrant music and arts scene in place which can only evolve from efforts to help support/promote one. IMP springs to mind.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rachie
I thought it said in the news stories that the council offered help but the LT board rejected it? You can't really blame the council in that respect.
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The bottom line is that yesterday the council cut all funding. The council then offered the Board the chance of a loan from the city council's Aberdeen Business Enterprise Scheme or an extended overdraft facility. This time the debt incurred from this loan would lie directly with the individuals on the Board. As others have pointed out on this thread, there had to be a cut off point and that was it. The Lemon Tree was actually doing better financially over the last two years than it has in the past. Albeit, to receive council funding, a CHARITABLE organisation (that's what the lemon tree entirely was) has to justify its arts programme to the council - it cannot be seen to be largely indulging in commercial activity. A small allowance is made for bar profit as let's face it, events have to have catering... Another point to be made.. the absence of drinks promotions are (wah! i keep saying are instead of were) so because of the very fact that the lemon tree was a charitable organisation.
Ok, people can argue that it could have been managed better and there's scope for a better arts venue encompassing theatre, development, music, comedy. But a solely charitable one? People are right, being what it was, there were problems from the start.
As someone (happen to be a now ex-employee
) who is truly passionate about the Lemon Tree as an arts organisation, it's amazing to see the support of people who are also devastated at the loss of the Lemon Tree and what it means for arts culture in Aberdeen. Re: the posts about top 10 lemon tree gigs , too right we should celebrating the Lemon Tree's achievements, the building has seen some incredible acts and........
AS THERE ARE STILL 14 DAYS BEFORE THE LEMON TREE GOES INTO LIQUIDATION, who knows what could happen..
**This is far from a statement from The Lemon Tree, just the viewpoint of a now ex member of staff