Edinburgh Visitor Levy: Final plea for three historic buildings left off the list
Supporters of three historic buildings left off the list for funding by Edinburgh's tourist tax have made a final plea to councillors.
The Tron Kirk, Leith Custom House and Portobello kilns all have restoration plans, but they are not included among the culture and heritage projects proposed to get a share of the cash generated by the new Visitor Levy.
A full council meeting on Thursday is due to approve the recommendations for how to spend the money - up to £100 million - which the levy is expected to bring in over the first three years.
But on Wednesday, the culture and communities committee heard from Sam Gallacher, director of the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT), about the "urgent need" to save "two irreplaceable public buildings" - the Tron Kirk and Leith Custom House, both council-owned buildings and both at risk.
He said: "More than a decade ago, Leith Custom House was bought for the people of the city and the council asked SHBT to develop and deliver a restoration plan for the Custom House.
"In 2024 you received a fully costed concept design for an innovative visual museum, new community spaces and a business model requiring no subsidy.
“This project has widespread support and, from indications given by council officers we expected support also from the Visitor Levy.
"On the back of that we have raised over £300,000 from philanthropists; other major funders stand ready to help; but as you are the building's owner we cannot proceed without your commitment."
He said £300,000 match-funding by the council over the next three years would allow completion of technical development and ensure the project was shovel-ready for the next tranche of Visitor Levy funding in 2029.
And he continued: "The situation of the Tron Kirk is even more pressing. For five years we have been developing a comprehensive restoration plan on behalf of the city council.
"Two years ago falling stonework endangered public safety, prompting costly emergency repairs. SHBT funded a condition survey to establish the full restoration costs."
He said the total budget needed was £3 million. "Early conversations with funders indicate that if the city can commit £1.25m in capital investment, SHBT can raise the remainder."
The council is recommended to allocate £3m from the Visitor Levy to Hunter Square, just behind the Tron Kirk. But Mr Gallacher said it would be logical to do the two projects together.
"Hunter Square would become the yard for works on the Tron, complete the restoration, then reinstate the square the way the city wants. Otherwise we would have to put the works on the Royal Mile itself."
Doreen Parker, director of the Portobello Heritage Trust, also appeared before the committee and put the case for funding for the Portobello kilns. There were two kilns, the last remnants of Scotland's pottery industry, in Bridge Street, Portobello, close to the Prom.
Ms Parker said the council owned the kilns, which are Scheduled Ancient Monuments, and was responsible for their care and maintenance, under the oversight of Historic Environment Scotland (HES).
"The cone of the1906 kiln was deemed unsafe around 2017 and the council decided to demolish and rebuild it. We were assured by council officers that the cone would be demolished and immediately rebuilt and that funds for this were available.
"The cone of the kiln was demolished but before the rebuild could start we went into lockdown because of Covid and no work could take place. After lockdown we were told there was no money available to take the project forward.
"Last year HES gave the council three years to find funding to rebuild the kiln. A small amount of money was allocated to erect a temporary roof on the kiln to protect it from the elements."
The trust had hoped for Visitor Levy funding, but it was not included on the list.
Officials said there were many worthwhile projects in the city, but they would be able to bid for money from funds expected to be established under the Visitor Levy.
And Gareth Barwell, the council's director of place, acknowledged the importance of the buildings and said he was "pretty sure there has to be a way forward".
SNP culture spokesman Finlay McFarlane argued successfully for the Tron Kirk, Leith Custom House and Portobello kilns, along with The Causey - a Southside community project to turn a street dominated by a traffic island into a people's space - to be referred to the next meeting of the Visitor Levy Advisory Forum, which has to consider all projects before they can be funded.
Committee convener Margaret Graham also accepted an amendment from Cllr McFarlane to reallocate funds proposed for an Edinburgh Creatives Fund to supplement funding for the council’s “strategic partners” - a long list of organisations including the Festival Fringe.
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