Under New Management

[Jamie]

Statement by John Loveday

Chair of The Lemon Tree Board

There can't be many people interested in The Lemon Tree that didn't follow the press reports covering the recent financial results. As the newly appointed Chair of "The Lemon Tree Aberdeen Ltd. Board", I thought it would be worthwhile bringing you up to date with the current situation. The Lemon Tree was previously run as a Trust by a group of appointed Trustees from Aberdeen City Council. The day-to-day running of the venue was managed by The Lemon Tree's Director and General Manager.

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New Lemon Tree

In April 2004, a new company was established, The Lemon Tree Aberdeen Ltd. This followed advice from various parties, not least the Scottish Arts Council, our second biggest funder. It is hoped this move will allow The Lemon Tree to move into unexplored areas which will help attract funding from previously untapped resources.

The new Board of Directors comprises five councillors, appointed by Aberdeen City Council, and a number of individuals who care passionately about the arts and The Lemon Tree in particular.

When the new company was set up, it was believed that there were no debts being transferred from the previous Trust organisation. As we now know, this was not the case.

It became apparent that The Lemon Tree's accounts for the past year showed a loss and that other significant problems needed to be addressed promptly.

The Board felt that a re-organisation of the management structure was the only way forward. As part of this exercise, the Director's position, as the highest paid employee, would become redundant. An overall review of the structure is currently being carried out.

To clarify The Lemon Tree's status we are a Limited Company with Charitable Status, as defined and granted by the Inland Revenue. In other words we don't make a profit but we trade with sufficient funds to pay our way.

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Arts provision

It is essential that our arts provision is secure and a new post will be introduced to cover this requirement soon. Clearly this will not be the role previously covered by the Director and will have different and fewer responsibilities.

In the meantime, management and staff at The Lemon Tree will continue to bring you the high standards of music, drama, dance and development that you've come to expect from the venue.

I would welcome any feedback you may have, so feel free to post your comments on this Forum

For now, from all of us at The Lemon Tree, we look forward to seeing you soon.

[unknown pleasures]

Jamie, for a second there, I thought you were telling us you were the new Chair of the LT Board ...

[Jamie]

Well spotted. That was abit misleading at first - hopefully it's abit clearer who the statement comes from now.

[chilli]

Originally posted by Jamie:

Statement by John Loveday

Chair of The Lemon Tree Board

In the meantime, management and staff at The Lemon Tree will continue to bring you the high standards of music, drama, dance and development that you've come to expect from the venue.

I would welcome any feedback you may have, so feel free to post your comments on this Forum

My belief is that whilst there is tight financial constaints & financial scrutiny of the operation, the staff should be left free hand to get on with what they do best & thats to bring the BEST QUALITY entertainment to Aberdeen, whether its crappy tribute bands that pay the bills or more cutting edge idiosycratic artists that may not pay the bills.

The mix can in the short term can be diluted to the bland, however in the medium/long term the Lemon Tree must be allowed to take chances programme wise.

Additionally @ some stage in the near future perhaps the Regulars (customers) should be allowed to attend an open forum, so they can @ least voice their opinions of what is right & what is wrong from a punters viewpoint. It could be that one great idea may come this..................