Edinburgh’s music scene staple, The Jazz Bar is set to reopen following its sudden closure this past month.
A massive loss
The Chambers Street venue shut its doors on the 8th of April 2024, citing the ‘Cost of Living Crisis’ and operational issues.
First opened by Scottish drummer Bill Kyle, the almost twenty year old bar embodied Edinburgh’s live music scene.
New life as a non-profit
In a social media post put up this morning, 30th May, husband and wife duo, Nick and Justyna Mushlin, reveal how they have (with support of the community) bought the bar and will be reopening it as a non-profit.
The duo outline how as a non-profit the bar will, ‘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.’
They plan to ‘channel all operating surplus back into the venue’ with ‘all assets locked into and owned by the social enterprise’.
Giving back to the community
They list their aim as to start a new venture which serves the community they had been a part of for so long, continuing the legacy that the old Jazz Bar had created.
Entitled ‘The New Jazz Bar – Saving The Music’ the couple have launched a fundraiser on Crowdfunder to help with opening costs for the venue.
The Jazz Bar ended their social media post saying: ‘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!’
In their own post, The Music Venue Trust have said ‘This is a huge step in protecting a cornerstone for local musicians and music fans, but public support to fully revive The Jazz Bar is now needed. To be part of their comeback story, visit their Crowdfunder and donate if you can. Or comment and share here to help spread the word on behalf of Nick and Justyna and the community they’re aiming to keep alive.’
You can donate to the fundraiser here
Photo Credit: The Jazz Bar
