To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to cultural venues and theatres across the Lothian region. (S6O-04252)

The Scottish Government wants to ensure that everyone in Scotland has access to culture.

Through its regularly funded organisations network, Creative Scotland provides, with Scottish Government funding, nearly £14 million per year to organisations across the Lothian region, which includes £4.1 million that is specifically for cultural venues and theatres. The Scottish Government has also provided £10.3 million towards the redevelopment of the King’s theatre in Edinburgh, and it will provide the national collections with just over £78 million in the 2025-26 draft budget.

I urge Sue Webber to look out for Creative Scotland’s announcement tomorrow on multiyear funding for cultural organisations and venues, and I hope that she votes for the budget provisions.

The Brunton Theatre Trust recently announced its new programme of events, but the closure and proposed demolition of the actual theatre building, which is due to the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, means that patrons inside and outside Musselburgh will not have the same experience. Given that the Scottish Government awarded significant money to help to redevelop the King’s theatre, as the Cabinet secretary said, how will he work to ensure that smaller theatres, such as the Brunton theatre in Musselburgh, can be similarly redeveloped?

I commend Sue Webber for raising the theatre, as other colleagues have done, including my colleague who is the Constituency MSP. I agree that we should be supporting cultural venues right across Scotland.

Where there are particular issues and distresses associated with finances or, as in this case, RAAC at local organisations, venues and cultural outfits, my officials and I are very keen to speak with them. We have worked very hard in recent years to ensure that the cultural infrastructure of Scotland is protected. If the member passes on my invitation to the theatre, I will be content to meet its representatives and discuss any plans or requests for support that they may have.

Following on from Sue Webber’s question, I raise the particular issue that the Brunton theatre is on the risk register, so it is a real priority. My colleague Foysol Choudhury and I met Michael Stitt, the theatre board’s chair. There is also a fantastic petition that I want to make the Cabinet secretary aware of. The Brunton theatre really needs funding, so I make a plea to the cabinet secretary to ensure that it is on his list. East Lothian Council and the Brunton Theatre Trust need our support now.

When we have portfolio questions, I reflect on the passion of colleagues across the chamber for the support of important cultural venues, which I share with Sarah Boyack and other colleagues.

I have already been questioned about the situation affecting the Brunton theatre, and I have expressed my willingness to look closely at any plans and to look sympathetically at any way that we can ensure that cultural provision in East Lothian Council and all other parts of the country is appropriately supported.

As a first step, I encourage Sarah Boyack to look closely at the announcement that Creative Scotland will make tomorrow about multiyear funding support for cultural venues and organisations. We are turning a tanker in the provision of support for the culture sector in Scotland and are heading in the right direction. As we do that, we need to ensure that there is support for organisations and venues across the country, whether they are supported through multiyear funding or not.

Mr Coffey has a brief supplementary. I remind the member that the principal question relates to support for venues and theatres across the Lothian region.

It is very welcome that the Scottish budget will deliver much-needed rates relief for grass-roots music venues across Scotland. Could the Cabinet secretary say any more about how the targeted relief will support the sector?

Again, the principal question that we should be mindful of is about support across the Lothian region.

Music venues in the Lothians, as in Kilmarnock, have been hit hard in recent years by the coronavirus pandemic and the cost crisis. It is estimated that music venues in Scotland are, on average, making only half a per cent profit on their turnover. The targeted relief that has been announced by the Scottish Government will reduce overheads for eligible venues and support the wider cultural ecosystem and night-time economy within the limited finances that are available. That is what will happen in Edinburgh, in Kilmarnock and right across the country.