Braehead Arena UK Forgoes Merch Commission Under New Ghostwriter Event Consultancy Partnership

Ghostwriter Consultancy & Events announced a long-term partnership with the 5,200-capacity Braehead Arena in Scotland.

It marks the first arena partnering with the independent live music company. Braehead Arena joins The Prospect Building in Bristol (3,000/1,350 capacity), and Liverpool Olympia (1,917 capacity).

All of these buildings have pledged to forgo the merchandise commission typically charged to artists by venues, making Braehead Arena not only the first arena, but also the largest venue in the UK to not charge artists a commission on merchandise sales.

The venues voluntarily forgo the merch commission, realizing it’s an important source of income for touring artists, who can use that revenue to finance their tours – as opposed to being forced to increase their fees, which benefits the venues/promoters booking them.

Following TDL Media’s acquisition of Braehead Arena, the Ghostwriter partnership marks “the start of a significant program of investment and strategic collaboration for the venue,” according to a press release sent out by the event consultancy.

For Ghostwriter, the partnership marks a step forward in both scale and geography.

Home to the professional EIHL ice hockey club Glasgow Clan, Braehead Arena is located on the banks of the River Clyde, just 4.5 miles from the city centre.

The Braehead Arena complex, by its own admission, attracts 16.3 million visitors annually, and benefits from supporting road networks, ample free parking, and a wide variety of pre-event on-site dining options. The international Glasgow airport is only 10 minutes away.

For artists and their teams, the venue presents a valuable mid-capacity option that bridges the gap between smaller venues and arenas in the region, including Glasgow’s nearby OVO Hydro.

Braehead Arena will also operate a voluntary £1 donation per ticket in support of the LIVE Trust for all live music events, with all other Ghostwriter venues operating a voluntary £1 donation per ticket in support of Music Venues Trust.

Comments:

Gemma Shamah, operations director at Ghostwriter: “After being engaged as a specialist consultant to review venue operations and identify viable opportunities at Braehead Arena, we are delighted to be chosen as the long-term live music partner. Building on the insights gained through our consultancy and strengthening our relationship with Russell and the venue team, we’re committed to evolving the arena to safely host a diverse range of events and experiences. The space is highly versatile, offering both a fully seated 4,000 and a mixed-format 5,300 capacity. We can’t wait to welcome customers, promoters, and artists into what is truly a special and intimate arena.”

Helen McGee, Ghostwriter’s head of venues: “The arena has a rich and eclectic heritage, having hosted iconic artists like Oasis, Beyoncé, Megadeth, Kelly Clarkson, Blink-182, INXS, Pendulum, and Snoop Dogg. We aim to once again welcome high-profile performances, working with promoters and artists to deliver a new wave of memorable live experiences for audiences in this vibrant key territory.

“Partnering with Braehead Arena is an exciting step for us, and I firmly believe there’s a real need for a venue of this scale in Glasgow. I’m looking forward to working closely with Russell, David, and the venue team, as the choices we are making represent a shared commitment to driving positive change, engaging local communities, and challenging the status quo.

“I’m particularly pleased that the arena has chosen to recognise the challenges faced by touring artists in the streaming age, and the vital contribution that merchandise revenues now make to the viability of live shows. I also hope that not charging merchandise fees to artists will ultimately benefit our customers by helping to alleviate some of the pressure on ticket pricing as the additional revenue contributes towards the cost of touring.”

Russell Smith, CEO Braehead Arena and Glasgow Clan: “We are delighted to continue working with Ghostwriter, reassured by consultancy that delivered industry expertise, detailed analysis, health & safety oversight, with operational and structural support.

“Working collaboratively, we will empower our team to deliver innovative solutions and implement recommendations, enhancing our overall business performance, shifting market position, and elevating customer experience.

“Driven by shared values, we are proud to be the largest venue and the first arena in the UK to be merchandise fee free for live music events, increasing revenue for artists.

“In partnership with Ghostwriter and other stakeholders, we will bring ‘Braehead Ambition’ to fruition by attracting eclectic retail and leisure activity to the region. We aim to build a sustainable and meaningful future for the venue, supporting both the live music sector and the community we continue to serve. This marks the first of a series of announcements that will see the venue thrive. Through incremental improvements and significant investment, we are positioning ourselves to strengthen our core offerings and elevate the level of service and experience for all our customers.

“The arena is a versatile, multipurpose venue and we aim to attract a wide range of content. From live music and comedy to immersive experiences and exhibitions, we’re committed to delivering a diverse array of exciting activities, including many more thrilling sporting events.”

About Ghostwriter Consultancy & Events:

At the heart of Ghostwriter’s operations is an venue partnership model tailored to a diverse portfolio of spaces. The company leverages extensive industry knowledge with a team of senior live entertainment professionals.

By its own admission, “the company provides a ‘head office function’ for its partner venues, implementing robust systems and processes to ensure they are safe, efficient, financially viable, competitively positioned, well marketed, and operationally flexible.

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