In mid-2023, the private owners of 13th Note became embroiled in a dispute with 13th Note's workers over contracts, safe working conditions, and a living wage. One of the workers was reported to have said that the cafe's owners were "so used to operating outwith the law that they are now at a point where they don't even understand it". Strike action was initiated and subsequently on 19 July 2023, the bar announced that it would be closing down and all 18 workers lost their jobs. In the words of Nick Troy, a chef at 13th Note, the mission of the worker co-op will be to turn the venue "into a multi-purpose social and cultural space that serves the community around it, rather than exploiting it for profit. All trading surplus from the bar, kitchen, music venue and recording space will be reinvested in social programmes aimed at alleviating the worst aspects of food poverty, providing disadvantaged musicians access to rehearsal, recording and live music space, as well as serving as a touchstone for trade unions and community organisations to host events and gatherings."