The outraged boss of one of Scotland’s best known entertainments venues has hit out at a Covid-19 snub.
Paul DeMarco, owner of the Edinburgh Corn Exchange, has blasted Scottish Government chiefs for ignoring his bid to make the famous venue into a vaccination centre.
He says they have been stopped “from doing their bit” to help save the country from Covid-19. Paul has called for a fairer bidding process as plans for the capital’s covid vaccination centre are revealed.
With the 3000-person capacity venue currently standing empty and unused due to the ongoing coronavirus restrictions, Paul says he is keen to adapt and play his part but feels privately owned venues have been unfairly overlooked in the bidding process for the capital’s vaccine centre.
He said: “We understand we can’t operate as usual at the moment, but we need to keep moving forward. Doing our bit to help our country 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? It’s completely unfair that we haven’t been given the opportunity to submit a proposal.
“If we had, they would see the Edinburgh Corn Exchange is a far more practical and affordable option than what is currently being suggested.
"We know the public will appreciate a venue that is easier to get to and park at, and it’s a no-brainer that the NHS will appreciate any reduction in costs.”
The Edinburgh Corn Exchange employs 70 people but this rises to 150 staff during the Christmas events season.
