Evening Express Story about the LT

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LEMON TREE CRITICS LEAVE SOUR TASTE

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DAVID EWEN

10:50 - 31 May 2006

Aberdeen's flagship arts venue is the subject of a scathing review.

The Scottish Arts Council says future funding of The Lemon Tree could be a waste of public money unless its performance improves.

But today the chairman of the company running the venue rejected what he described as "bland" criticism.

And he said the venue was going from strength to strength.

The study warned the centre "lacks a clear artistic vision" and has "serious organisational weaknesses".

Report author David Taylor, head of drama at the Scottish Arts Council, said: "I find it difficult to recommend continued funding without radical changes in the governance of The Lemon Tree.

"Certainly I would not be confident that the current Board leadership would be capable of delivering an enhanced role for The Lemon Tree, and the current level of activity and achievement does not represent value for money for public investment."

But the company's chairman said the board "totally disputed a lot of things" in the report, which was based on a study last year.

Since the report, the venue had appointed its first permanent artistic director in 18 months.

Chairman John Loveday said the board did not accept the extent of the criticism.

He said: "Yes, there have been problems. But the increase in ticket sales, the number of events, the feedback we get from customers and artists - that doesn't justify what was put against us."

He pointed to the recent folk festival Rootin' Aboot, which attracted 2,114 people this year, compared to 1,203 in 2005.

He said: "At every gig we have we are increasing ticket sales by 20% on average.

"It's not just the big concerts.

"It's the behind-the scenes stuff, the work we do with people like City Moves, the out-reach work we do.

"That work was totally ignored by the SAC."

Tickets sales for 2005/6 were 47,590 for 261 events - an average audience of 182.

In 2001/2 The Lemon Tree drew 40,143 people to 379 events - an average of 106.

In April, 2004 Lemon Tree director Kathy McArdle was made redundant. The Lemon Tree drew 57,845 visitors but made a loss of more than 170,000.

An Evening Express report revealed there had been inaccuracies in monthly reports on the centre's accounts during that time.

A limited company - Lemon Tree Aberdeen - was formed to run the venue, taking over from a city council-backed trust. The city council is still the main funder with 346,787 in 2005/6, including a core grant of 190,000, going towards an annual turnover of 1.5 million.

Since 2002/03 it has received 800,000 from Scottish Arts Council, including 182,805 for 2006/7.

But the SAC's funding structure has changed following a strategic review.

The Lemon Tree now comes into the Flexible Funding (Project) category.

Next year, it can apply for funding for a specific event or one-off programme of activity, including research and development.

The Scottish Arts Council assessment warned: "It is far from clear whether the organisation is capable of developing and delivering a vision that would justify current or increased levels of investment.

"The Lemon Tree has financial difficulties and lacks a coherent artistic vision at present.

"There are doubts about the Board and management capacity to develop an artistic proposal that would justify additional investment or to manage such additional funding and associated activity."

Losses for 2005/6 are expected to be around 40,000.

But Mr Loveday is projecting the venue will be in profit by 2007/8, although he admitted that depended partly on funding.

He said: "With the withdrawal of core funding we've got to find money from other sources, which we don't see as too much of a problem - including from the Scottish Arts Council."

dewen@ajl.co.uk

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'SOME EVENTS WILL NEVER MAKE MONEY'

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10:50 - 31 May 2006

The Lemon Tree has showcased some of the biggest names in music, ranging from Keane and Babyshambles to Bob Geldof and Suzanne Vega.

Its role is also to support local arts groups - not simply make money.

Chairman John Loveday said: "Many of the events we put on are often for minority audiences where we can only get a handful of ticket sales.

"It's these minority audiences that Aberdeen City Council encourage us to look after ... we will never make money from these."

The venue, in West North Street, opened in 1992 after a 600,000 revamp of the St Katherine Centre.

Arts groups were rehoused to make way for a 550-capacity downstairs performance space and cafe, with a first-floor area converted into a 150-capacity studio theatre.

The council describes the company which runs it as providing "facilities in the interests of social welfare by undertaking responsibility for the care, maintenance and management of the Lemon Tree as a facility of performing arts in the City of Aberdeen".

It has places for 15 board members, including five councillors.

At present, councillors John Stewart, Alison Smith, George Adam and Neil Fletcher sit on the board.