Our things to know about today include news of what is happening on the buses, in the arts world, in the window and in the country.
Summerhall on the market
Summerhall which is now an established arts venue in Edinburgh has been put up for sale by the trust which owns it and which has afforded its founder, Robert McDowell, the opportunity to develop what he says is Europe’s biggest privately-funded arts centre over the last 13 years.
It is understood that Mr McDowell is connected to the Isle of Man trust which is now marketing the property for sale for a sum of around £10 million along with the existing 110+ tenancies generating income at present of around £1.1 million per annum. The leases will remain in place and obligations on landlord and tenants will necessarily form part of the sale.
Any purchaser would naturally look for options to redevelop and maximise any income from the two acre site, and the selling agents Cuthbert White have mentioned this in their sales schedule, but there would be the usual planning restrictions for any purchaser to deal with, as well as the rights of any existing tenants. Whether or not any such development comes to pass would be up to any purchaser.
Summerhall has a full programme of Fringe events this August which the management say will continue as planned. In response to some thoughts that the building might be used for student flats or a hotel, a petition has already been set up by Daniel Connell to keep Summerhall as it is.
It appears that Mr McDowell was reluctant to sell, but the trustees have decided and he has to go along with their decision. He said: “When much else in life is uncertain and filled with warring, when the healing balms of the arts are in highest demand, it is troubling for much-loved, dare I say famous, Summerhall to go through the property market wringer! Against my personal wishes, the decision was made to put the premises up for sale.
“My hope is that we come through this intact and able to continue as before, perhaps even better? We proved ourselves a valuable part of what makes Edinburgh a great city and fully international. We are honoured that there is so much love and support, let us hope for the best.”
Knitting in the window
At Scotland Shop at the weekend Rebekah McIntyre who works there was knitting in the window. She used her hands and arms as needles and was creating a large scale blanket which passers-by can see on display.
Rebekah has a degree in textile design from University of Dundee and simply wanted to bring the shop’s knitwear to life while creating something of beauty.
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Jupiter Artland
At Jupiter Artland there are two distinct and lovely exhibitions on this summer. We will be writing more about the artists about meeting them and seeing their work, but we have to share these photos below. If this sparks your curiosity then do go to Jupiter Artland (and they have a café and gift shop. There are more details here.
Edinburgh Bus Users Group AGM – with David Begg
People with long memories will know that David Begg was in charge of transport in Edinburgh at one time. He made moves to rid the city centre – particularly Princes Street – of traffic. Now he is going to address the Edinburgh Bus Users Group (EBUG) AGM on 6 June.
Thursday 6 June 2024, 6pm Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge with Professor David Begg
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
