Battle on to secure lease for top venue

Published on Friday 18 March 2011 17:22

SOME of Edinburgh's biggest festival operators are locked in a battle to take control of one of the Capital's most prestigious venues following a multi-million pound refurbishment.

A series of bidders have expressed interest in taking over the Festival lease of the Assembly Rooms on George Street when it reopens in 2012 following a 9.3m revamp.

Bosses at Underbelly, one of the biggest venues at the Fringe, today confirmed that they are interested in taking over the venue, while the Stand Comedy Club is also vying to take over the lease during the Festival season.

Gilded Balloon is also said to be keen to take control, while management at Assembly Theatre - which had the lease before the venue closed for the revamp that they campaigned against - are also understood to have formally notified the council of their interest in operating from the venue from 2012.

News of the strong interest came as the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) formally confirmed that it will give the council a grant of 441,000 to help the restoration of the A-listed building, as revealed by the Evening News last October.

Council chiefs say they have had "a great deal of interest" from potential occupiers of the new retail units and restaurants being created, as well as from venue operators.

A spokesman for Underbelly, which already runs venues including Underbelly at Cowgate and McEwan Hall and the Udderbelly at Bristo Square, said: "Underbelly are always looking for opportunities to expand within Edinburgh and we are sure there are many other people showing interest (in Assembly Rooms] at the moment.

"It is always exciting when a new and improved venue is available in Edinburgh."

The contract to run the venue during the Festival from 2012 will go through an official tender process.

A council spokeswoman said: "We've had a great deal of interest in the Assembly Rooms from prospective retail tenants, venue operators and restaurateurs."

The Assembly Rooms closed in December and an 18-month redevelopment is under way to preserve the crumbling building's future.

It is also hoped that the creation of two ground-floor shops and a restaurant will bring in revenue that will guarantee the venue's future.

Confirmation that the HLF will support the project with 441,000 of grant funding came through yesterday.

Colin McLean, head of the HLF in Scotland, said: "The HLF is delighted to support a project which will inject new life, light and splendour into the Assembly Rooms.

"This beautiful venue has its roots in Edinburgh's social, architectural and cultural history. The refurbishment will allow it to sparkle once again for the benefit of residents and visitors for many years."Councillor Deidre Brock, the city's culture leader, said: "Work is already under way to transform Edinburgh's much-loved Assembly Rooms into one of the most sought after events and performance hubs in the UK."