Dear Friends,
We
have some very exciting news we are now in a position to share with you all.
The
Jazz Bar's assets, name, social media and license have been purchased by a new
company called The Jazz Bar Edinburgh CIC. This nonprofit social enterprise
channels all operating surplus back into the venue, with all assets locked into
and owned by the social enterprise, not private individuals.
The Community Interest Company has been set up by Nick and Justyna Mushlin, a husband and wife team with decades of experience and deep connections to the bar. When it became apparent that The Jazz Bar would shut, they took it upon themselves, with help and support from the music community surrounding the bar, to purchase the assets. Their aim was to start a new venture to serve the community they had been a part of for so long, continuing the legacy that the old Jazz Bar had created and nurtured for many years.
The
challenges faced by live music venues in recent years have led to more and more
closures. With huge help and support from Music Venue Trust (MVT), we have
opted to launch as a CIC to benefit from some of the advantages that this type
of grass-roots music venue currently enjoys, including 75% rebate on business
rates and VAT exemption on ticket sales.
Former
staff, sound engineers, and musicians dug deep to collectively raise enough
money to enable The Jazz Bar CIC to purchase the assets, name, and license when
the opportunity arose. A testament to the strength of the JB community!
We
would not have been able to do any of this if it weren't for the love that runs
deep for The Jazz Bar and all it stands for; for the family that was built from
Bill Kyle's dream. So we are now at a place where we are asking for support to
get this new venture off the ground. We have set up a crowdfunder to help with
startup costs and to repay some of the short-term personal loans taken out. The
social enterprise is established, and for the essential assets that we need
have been secured, but we still need help from the community, especially with
the Jazz & Blues Festival and the Fringe just around the corner.
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/.../the-new-jazz-bar-saving...
We
are full of enthusiasm, confidence and determination that, together, we can
build an even stronger community. Thank you all for your continued support and
dedication to live music in Edinburgh. We hope to be in a position to welcome
you to the new Jazz Bar very soon!
Warmest
regards,
The
Jazz Bar CIC Team
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