Edinburgh Fringe earmark 'preferred location' for new headquarters
The Fringe Society has asked for approval to enter formal discussions for a long-term lease
Edinburgh's south bridge resource centre has been earmarked as the ideal location for a new headquarters for the Fringe.
Last month the Fringe Society was granted £7 Million by the UK Government, with the intention to spend the cash on opening a new permanent year round HQ.
It's now asked the City Council for approval to enter formal discussions over a long-term lease for the resource centre, just off the Royal Mile.
This building has been identified for a variety of reasons, with its proximity to the existing footprint of the Fringe a key consideration.
Canongate Youth community group who reside there, have been apparently receptive to the idea of the Fringe Society working to improve the building and make it more accessible; by securing and maintaining the space for community and cultural use.
If approved by the Council to enter into formal discussions, the Fringe Society will produce a detailed business case to present to UK Government, with full costings on development of the proposed hub.
It is proposed that Canongate Youth remain a tenant of the building, and other small arts and cultural organisations may also be offered the opportunity to co-exist, creating a vibrant, mixed use community space for all and a hub for the Fringe Society’s services and team during August and year-round.
Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: "Following the UK Budget announcement of funding for this project, there has been understandable interest and comment on where, when and how the new Fringe community hub will be created. Next week marks the next step in this process, with an ask to the City of Edinburgh Council that we enter into formal discussions about the space on Infirmary Street. This is very much a long-term project and one that will take a few years to establish.
"We are excited at the prospect of revitalising an important city centre space that has such an established history with the Fringe through Greenside, and a vital hub for the excellent work with young people and communities that has been the hallmark of Canongate Youth.
"The conversion of this space into a year-round Fringe community hub will allow local cultural organisation, artists and our community partners, the opportunity to utilise this space too. In the long-term it will allow a permanent home for our August participants hub, known as Fringe Central, for whom artists, arts industry, media and international delegates access each summer for a range of workshops, networking and industry events.
"We look forward to working with colleagues at the Council as plans for this space evolve as well as deepening existing and building new relationships with community groups in the City’.
Clare Jamieson, Canongate Youth Manager further commented: "We are delighted to be involved in early-stage conversations around the future of South Bridge Resource Centre with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society. The building has huge potential, and we welcome the opportunity to explore this further, and most importantly how future developments could benefit children and young people who use CY services and the wider local community’"
The proposal will be presented to the Council's finance and resource committee next Tuesday (April 25).