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EDINBURGH, Scotland, Aug 2, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Plans to close Queen's Hall in Edinburgh in lieu of a larger venue have met with resistance from Scottish celebrities, it was reported Wednesday.
Folk singers Phil Cunningham and Dougie Maclean, songwriter Eddi Reader, the musical group Capercaillie, jazz musican Tommy Smith and Hogmanay celebration organizer Peter Irvine have all come out in opposition of the City Council's plans to close the venue, The Scotsman reported.
"The Queen's Hall has a great musical history and is much-loved by musicians working on the circuit," Smith said. "I've been playing there since I was 13 and it's always had a great buzz to it."
The City Council and Scottish Arts Council provide Queen's Hall with nearly $282,000 in funding each year and have informed the establishment the funding will stop within three years.
Queen's Hall management is set to meet with the two councils next week in an effor to secure the hall's future.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
