STAFF at an iconic Glasgow bar are set to lose their jobs after its owner announced the permanent closure of the venue

The 13th Note has gone into liquidation after 21 years in business.

In a statement released this morning, Jacqueline Fennessy claimed that Unite Hospitality had 'sabotaged' the business amid an ongoing dispute with workers over pay and conditions.

Unite previously claimed that industrial action by bar staff - which began earlier this month - was the first of its kind in two decades. It said staff had exhausted all options in their efforts to resolve the long-running dispute.

The Glasgow Times understands that more than 20 people have lost their livelihoods as a result of today's shock news.

Ms Fennessy said: "It is with deep sadness that this morning we have been forced to close the doors of the 13th Note and appoint liquidators.

"Over more than two decades, we’ve played host to thousands of bands, performers, promoters and artists, while playing a significant role in the vibrant cultural scene of Glasgow.

"I’m devastated with the closure of a business I’ve cherished and loved along with the hundreds of loyal customers who frequented the Note, and I would like to thank everyone who has played a role in creating what was a vibrant Glasgow institution. It has been an honour to have been a part of your lives.

 

Glasgow Times: Workers at the 13th Note Workers at the 13th Note (Image: Newsquest)

She added: "The challenges of running an independent hospitality venue in today’s climate of inflationary pressures and post-lockdown challenges have been well documented. However, it has been the involvement of Unite Hospitality that has caused a drastic reduction in revenue that has forced our closure and the loss of all jobs at the 13th Note.

READ MORE: 13th Note staff in Glasgow say they have been 'blindsided' by owner

"To my team, I tried my very best to resolve all the issues we and other hospitality businesses face. Thank you all sincerely for all your work and efforts over the years.

“Unite Hospitality has sabotaged our business with a repeated onslaught on social media and the wider press, with false and misleading stories that have been published. This has led to weekly revenue declining steadily over this period.

“Despite direct talks with Unite Hospitality about the 13th Note being in crisis and all jobs being at risk as recently as July 5, they continued to publish untruths and went ahead with strike action which has fully depleted all available funds in the business.”

Bryan Simpson, who organises hospitality staff for Unite the Union, however slammed the owner's decision.

He said: "To close a workplace and sack more than 20 workers days after they take historic strike action is trade union intimidation pure and simple.

"To sack them with only a week's wages and less than 30 days notice is unlawful.

"Jacqueline Fennessy made a firm commitment to Unite and her workforce that she would postpone any redundancies until we'd at least had a chance to meet via ACAS to resolve the issue, a meeting that she called for.

"This employer didn't even have the decency to tell some of her workers that they were being made redundant before she briefed the press with a smear campaign aimed at discrediting the very people who have made her profits over the years.

"The workers of 13th Note made this venue and will do everything we can to ensure that it continues."