(Photo above from RCHAMS Photographer Professor John R Hume)
Today, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced that it is spending £30m towards 10 projects that reflect the diversity of the UK’s heritage. They include a far-reaching project to help protect the future of our seriously dwindling bee population, two projects which showcase Bristol as one of the major players in the UK’s maritime story and plans to revitalise St Albans Cathedral in Hertfordshire – and The Former North British Rubber Company HQ in Edinburgh, birthplace of the Wellington boot, which is set to be transformed into a site where small businesses can thrive in an historic setting.
Carole Souter, Chief Executive of HLF, said: “Heritage has huge potential to excite and inspire and this funding will definitely deliver both in spades. It’s great news that HLF is able to support such a wide breadth of heritage projects, from protecting our vital insect life to transforming much-loved historic buildings and passing on heritage boatbuilding skills for future generations.”
In March last year we reported to you that the council were being asked to approve the sale of the building to Edinburgh Printmakers who wanted to buy the old Rubber Factory in Fountainbridge and develop it as part of the overall plan for the area.
The council included their intention to facilitate and support that project in their pledges performance report to the council in October last year. They estimated it would take until December this year to complete the deal. The building is included on the buildings at risk register.
Green councillor for Fountainbridge-Craiglockhart Gavin Corbett has expressed his delight at news of a £5 million Heritage Lottery Fund grant for Edinburgh Printmakers to transform the last part of the old rubber factory at Fountainbridge in Edinburgh.
Gavin said:-“I wrote a strong letter of support for the Printmakers’ grant application so naturally I am delighted that the grant has been awarded.
“Only a few years ago, the last part of the North British rubber factory was earmarked for demolition, erasing the last traces of the important industrial past at Fountainbridge. Now it is to be the hub of a thriving cultural centre at Fountainbridge, and a real spur to put the entire Fountainbridge site in the vanguard as diverse, sustainable and people-centred regeneration.”
Grateful thanks as always to RCHAMS for the use of their beautiful photos.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
