Popular comedy club the Stand has warned fans it faces permanent closure following coronavirus losses. 

Comedy news site Chortle reported the comedy clubs in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle have run up a £342,000 loss due to the pandemic. 

Director Eva Mackay revealed the clubs are in need of urgent support in an email to supporters. 

Despite putting on regular live-stream shows in return for donations, the company has been running a loss. 

Ms Mackay said the company pays £1million a year in its venues. 

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She called on Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government to step up their support for the industry. 

"Without their support there will be no Stand Comedy Club providing a real living wage to its employers, providing revenue for acts and supporting charities," she added. 

"There will be no clubs to provide entertainment enriching the culture of the country.

"Our world-leading comedy industry is on the brink of collapse and runs the risk of being forgotten by emergency government arts funding."

Punters took to social media to express support for the comedy club. 

One person said: "Absolutely heartbreaking. Attended the Stand when it was a promotion in the basement of a Grassmarket pub. Was there on the opening night of their own premises in Edinburgh, then Glasgow. It means so much to me and so many others. Scotland without The Stand is just inconceivable."

Another added: "If you’ve ever enjoyed a gig at The Stand in Glasgow, please consider donating what you can to #SaveLiveComedy The place is world class and we’re lucky to have it on our doorstep."

Many comedy clubs worry that social distancing restrictions will make it impossible for them to make a profit. 

Fiona Hyslop, the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, set out her commitment to support comedy freelancers and venues during a coronavirus briefing.

Taking to social media she added: "There is huge anxiety, need and frustration and I appreciated that but think I have been pretty, consistent and clear we want to help comedy venues and freelancers."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reaffirmed that message and said during a briefing: "Comedy, in my view, is a very fine art form. And, you know, perhaps in these challenging times it’s also a particularly valued art form.

"We should not lose sight of that. As Fiona said we’re providing support in a range of ways."

Earlier this week, a spokesperson for Creative Scotland told The Scotsman: “For clarity, we recognise comedy as an art form and provide support in a variety of ways, including support for writing, practice development, performance and production.

“Our support for comedy is delivered across a range of art forms including theatre, physical performance, music, film and spoken word.

“We provide funding to a large number of venues, organisations and festivals who deliver comedy through their programmes, for example Tron Theatre (Glasgow), Eden Court Theatre (Inverness), The Beacon (Greenock), Aberdeen Performing Arts and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Individuals and organisations involved in comedy are welcome to apply to our ‘Open Fund’.

“Applications are assessed against published criteria, assessing artistic and creative quality, public engagement, effective management and the financial viability of the project from the information provided.”