What I don't think people on here understand is that we haven't just lost a music venue, we have just lost Scotland's leading arts organisations. My first experience of The Lemon Tree goes back over a decade to when I was doing drumming workshops on a Saturday morning. I've also been to summer schools there and was a member of the Lemon Tree Youth Theatre since its inception. This gave me many opportunites including the chance to perform one of our productions in Glasgow in front of other young people from across Europe, MSPs, MPs and MEPs. Since then, I've attended so many gigs. However, to an extent I agree with some people on here: there are still places to go for gigs in Aberdeen (albiet, nowhere near as suitable as The Lemon Tree was for folk / jazz / blues / traditional / experimental). This is not what it was all about though. WE HAVE LOST A VITAL ORGANISATION WHICH, TO A HUGE EXTENT, WILL TAKE ABERDEEN OFF THE CULTURAL TOURING MAP WHICH THE LEMON TREE HELPED TO GET US ON IN THE FIRST PLACE. There is now no professional small or medium scale theatre in Aberdeen which is capable of promoting the same quantity and quality of theatre / dance / comedy / kids' shows that they did. You only have to look at the press's phenomomenal coverage on this story over the past couple of days. The Times, The Herald, The Scotsman, Radio Scotland, Radio 2, BBC One Scotland, STV and GMTV have all shown that they are appalled at this shock move. Yesterday's Tom Morton show on BBC radio was dedicated to his own and listeners' fantastic memories of the place. The Lemon Tree was set up 'to provide somewhere for artists that would not otherwise get the opportunity to play in Aberdeen' I wholeheartedly believe that they achieved this to the best of their ability, considering all the financial and pressure they have been in since day one. I believe we must all fight to save what has become part of our cultural heritage. I have grown up with this place and don't want to imagine the faces of the disabled drama group when they are told they can no longer meet or the over 50s drama group or choir that they have nowhere to perform. SAVE THE LEMON TREE - Save The Lemon Tree - Home The best way forward, from what I can see, is to spread the word even more than we already have and let your employers know about the campaign!