Saturday May 2nd 2026
Purple Orange plays host to a variety of local performers in the heart of Bathgate
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville
A West Lothian music venue which helped Lewis Capaldi launch his career could now open the door to fresh talent.
Purple Orange Arts Venue in the heart of Bathgate has been granted a variation of its licence to allow greater access for young people.
The venue hopes the change will help its boost income with opening hours through the day to allow it to host birthday parties and other family events.
It also opens the venue up to potentially more music tuition days.
Purple Orange has a well established reputation as a small but popular music venue the town which has a reputation for a vibrant night-time economy
An agent for Purple Orange which sits in Bathgate’s Union Road told a meeting of West Lothian Licensing Board that the small venue which has been operating for the last 11! years: “was a showcase for young talent”.
He added: “They have had an enviable list of performers, not least Lewis Capaldi, who cut his teeth on that stage before international stardom.”
The agent explained that the variation would allow greater use of the venue outwith usual hours. The building is principally used for performance from 7pm to 11pm a variation could open up the venue for day time events such as birthday parties and music sessions open to children and young people ages 16 and 17. The variation will allow the venue to open at mid day.
It is currently also used for music tuition three days a week and this could extend to a Saturday.
The Board sought clarifications around children and young people’s access to the venue. The agent said his clients were happy to qualify with the clarifications .
Tweet Share on Facebook
