Leith Theatre: 'Treasured' arts venue appoints architect in major step towards refurbishment

An architect has been appointed in a major step forward for a campaign to transform a neglected Edinburgh theatre.

Leith Theatre has appointed Holmes Miller as the lead architect for its transformational ‘Back to Life: the theatre that isn’t just a theatre project’.

The move is a significant development within the organisation’s National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported development phase, following a rigorous tender process.

A spokesperson for Holmes Miller, which was behind the refurbishments of arts centres at Paisley Town Hall and Watford Town Hall, said the firm aimed to transform the building into a leading mid-sized performance venue and cultural hub, focused on live music, as well as other cultural activities.

In January, a charity secured a crucial agreement with the City of Edinburgh Council to run the venue for the next 50 years.

The charity was formed in the wake of a lengthy campaign to prevent the 93-year-old theatre, which was almost destroyed by a bomb blast in the Second World War, from being sold off for development.

The trust has been in negotiations over a possible long-term lease for more than a decade, with a number of short-term agreements allowing the venue to reopen on a temporary basis since 2017 to host festivals and one-off events.

The theatre has not been open on a permanent basis since 1983 due to its poor condition and it has been on Britain's official "Theatres at Risk Register" since 2016. However, the venue had a "pop-up summer season" earlier this year, with a stage musical version of film Restless Natives.

Leith Theatre | RYAN BUCHANAN / LEITH THEATRE

The trust said it hoped to “celebrate the theatre’s unique heritage while creating a vibrant, welcoming and accessible space for everyone”.

Architect Steven Coulson said: “Firstly, it is a genuine pleasure to be able to work with a client team who so obviously love and respect the Leith Theatre building. The Leith Theatre Trust hold a core value to maintain the heritage integrity and beauty of the existing 1932 building. This respect for history is balanced against a highly aspirational and inspiring client brief, which aims not just to refurbish the theatre, but to reinvent it.

“As architects, we relish the opportunity to breathe new life into a meaningful cultural and community landmark. I personally am excited about making a building fit for everyone. This will include breaking down barriers to attendance – physical, accessibility, psychological or status, so that we can reunite this remarkable building, originally gifted to the people of Leith, back to the whole community.”

Leith Theatre secured a 50 year lease agreement with the council earlier this year. | Leith Theatre

The architect firm said it would “not seek to preserve every part of the existing building as a static artefact”. But Holmes Miller said it would focus on a sensitive approach to create “complimentary and appropriate” interventions in the heritage theatre, which was built in 1932.

Lynn Morrison, chief executive of Leith Theatre Trust, said: “Holmes Miller joining us as our architect design team feels like the start of a new chapter in a story that has taken decades to reach this point.

“Leith Theatre means so much to so many people and carrying the responsibility for its future is something we feel deeply. Their expertise will help us find practical, sensitive solutions for a building that presents both enormous character and real challenges.

“This marks the start of a steady, thoughtful revival that will allow this treasured venue to take its place once again in Leith’s community and Edinburgh's wider cultural landscape.”

The project, which is now in its development phase, will create detailed plans and evidence required to progress towards the delivery phase.