Assembly Rooms ballroom closure blow for Fringe

Published on Thursday 12 March 2009 08:47

THE city's Festival Fringe has been dealt a major blow after it was confirmed that one of its most popular venues will be closed until at least September.

The 400-capacity ballroom at the Assembly Rooms was closed by council officials last month after damp was discovered in some of the beams.

An initial investigation into the problem has now found that the damp has caused the ceiling to dip slightly and will require months of work to sort out.

It had been hoped the work could have been completed in time for this year's Festival but promoters – who would have needed access to the ballroom from around mid-July – will today be told to find alternative venues.

The full cost of the work to the council-owned venue will not be known for another week, but is likely to run into tens of thousands of pounds.

The rest of the Assembly Rooms is unaffected and will still host some of the other Fringe events planned for this year's Festival.

A 12 million redevelopment of the Assembly Rooms is meant to get under way next year but it is understood the damp treatment work cannot wait until then.

City culture leader Deidre Brock said: "In-depth surveys have demonstrated very clearly that this work needs to be carried out as a matter of urgency and public safety must be our priority.

"We do realise that this will have an impact on the space available in the building during the Festival but the nature of the problem means that unfortunately there is no alternative."

It is not the first ceiling-related problem which has faced the Assembly Rooms. In 1998, the noise of a Stereophonics gig damaged part of a ceiling.

After next year's Fringe, council chiefs will embark on a refurbishment programme of the Assembly Rooms. This will include exterior improvements to both the George and Rose Street sides and adjoining lanes.

Inside, flexible seating will be introduced to the Music Hall and substantial acoustic improvements will be made.

Decorative finishes throughout will be restored and improved and the ground floor of the building will be returned to its original use.

It is also hoped shops and a restaurant will be added to the building. Council chiefs are borrowing half the money for the project and the rest will come from public and private support.