The boss of one of Scotland’s best-known entertainment venues has hit after his Covid help offer was snubbed.
Paul Demarco, owner of the Edinburgh Corn Exchange, blasted the Scottish Government for ignoring his bid to make the venue a vaccination centre.
With the 3000- capacity venue unused due to the ongoing restrictions, Demarco is keen to help but feels privately owned facilities have been overlooked.
He said: “We can’t operate as usual at the moment but we need to keep moving forward. Doing our bit to help in the fight against Covid by becoming a vaccination centre is the obvious answer.
“Why do the publicly funded venues get the grants and events, and privately owned venues like ours are excluded, even from inclusion in the bidding process?
“The Edinburgh Corn Exchange is a far more practical and affordable option than what is currently being suggested. The public would appreciate a venue that is easier to get to and park at.
"It’s a no-brainer the NHS will appreciate any reduction in costs.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government and Health Boards are working with local authorities to identify locally accessible centres, where mobile vaccination sites might be set up and on detailed delivery to best reach those who will need vaccinated at home.
“For the first phase of the programme, NHS Boards will prioritise health and social care workers, mainly centred in and around hospitals.”
