Mareel
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Mareel is the name for the new cinema and music venue which is to be built in Shetland, with completion expected in 2010.
At a full meeting of the Shetland Islands Council, on 25th June 2008, the council decided in favour of going ahead with the venue. The vote at the meeting was hung at 9 for and 9 against until Convener Sandy Cluness used his deciding vote in favour of the project.
The split in the council vote was somewhat representative of public feeling on the project, with many people strongly in support of it, and just as many against it, with most of the opposition based on doubt in the financial viability of the venue and fears that the venue will require public subsidy in the future which could jeopardise other publicly funded projects.
Since the vote some of the councillors who are against Mareel have continued their objections, including un-democratic calls for another vote to be held with the 4 councillors present who were away on other business at the time the decision was made.
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History
For many years there has been a serious need in Shetland for better facilities to promote the wealth of musical talent in the islands. Talent abounds, which is recognised worldwide, but artists have been stifled by the lack of high quality facilities. Bands brought upto Shetland would often play in ill-equipped pubs or local halls which were under-par. One of Lerwick's best venues, The North Star was closed in 2007, having been sold to Hjaltland Housing Association, this further prompted calls for a new suitable venue. However, the cost of the project and fears about the ongoing running costs produced some resistance among councilors and the general public.
Council Vote
The Debate
Arguments For Mareel
- Music Venue
- Lack of existing suitable venues
In April 2007, popular venue North Star closed its doors, after being sold to Hjaltland Housing Association.The North Star was one of few suitable venue in Shetland, and its closure prompted further discussion regarding Mareel. Currently, there are several venues in Lerwick capable of hosting a gig, however they are not ideal for bands to play, as the acoustics of the existing venues are not suitable for those who care to enjoy the sound of the music. Many bands are now forced to play in pubs, many of which do not even have stages, or suitable standing room. This argument is also accentuated by the need to distance music, and young people, from the drink culture currently associated with entertainment generally in Shetland. - Promotion of Shetland Music
Mareel is seen as the ideal stage upon which local Shetland music can be showcased. Not only will Mareel be a venue, it will also be a professional recording studio and it will contain recording rooms. - Ability to attract popular bands
Shetland has struggled to regularly attract 'big' bands to Shetland, and it is argued that this is because there is no suitable venue which can effectively host a professional gig. The capacity of Mareel will be of required size to host large bands. Also, Mareel will feature a built in lighting and sound system - previously if a popular band came to Shetland, a PA sound system would need to be taken up, costing thousands.
- Lack of existing suitable venues
- Cinema
- Unsuitable existing venue
The current venue for showing movies publicly is the Garrison Theatre, which has been criticised as being too irregular and uncomfortable for a cinema.
- Unsuitable existing venue
Arguments Against Mareel
- Cost and Size
Arguments were raised against Mareel, with critics having issue with both the size and cost of the venue. Mareel, in its current form, is set to cost around £9 million, with at least £5m coming from the SIC. - Sustainability
Doubts were cast on Mareel's ability to sustain itself without being continually funded by the council. - Demand
Critics argued that Mareel was not needed, as they claimed that there was just not enough demand for a large music and cinema venue in Shetland.
