Relocating arts group slams bid to alter listed church

Published on Wednesday 22 June 2011 15:47

AN arts collective is opposing plans to convert a historic city church into the new home of the Mosque Kitchen, amid concerns about proposed alterations to the listed building.

Staff at Forest Cafe have launched a campaign to derail plans for their soon-to-be vacated HQ on Bristo Place, which looks set to become home to the Mosque Kitchen. The culinary annex of Edinburgh Central Mosque is seeking new premises following a dispute with Islamic leaders.

Among the plans for the building is a bid to install a new mezzanine floor which campaigners suggest could contravene its B-listed status.

In April, the News reported that the popular Mosque Kitchen was set to relocate from Potterrow to nearby Nicolson Square amid bad blood at the mosque over alleged financial irregularities. A police probe into the matter was later dropped and an address for the new Mosque Kitchen premises had not been disclosed.

The move to the former Edinburgh Congressional Church - which has housed the Forest Cafe since 2003 - came to light during a search of council planning records by a Forest Cafe volunteer. That revealed blueprints by kitchen management to transform the church into a restaurant.

Ken O'Neill, who is overseeing the Forest Cafe move, said the arts collective was "disappointed and surprised" at the planning bid.

"I would encourage anybody who cares about Edinburgh's cultural and architectural heritage to voice their concerns to the planning committee and their local councillor," he said.

"To find that this much-loved building will change from a vibrant community arts space into yet another restaurant is very disappointing.

"The area already has many restaurants who are struggling in the current economic climate."

He added: "The Forest Cafe wishes the Mosque Kitchen all the best with their purchase of Bristo Place.

"However, we do not want to see this listed historic building transformed into yet another restaurant in an already crowded market.

"We hope that they reconsider their plans and make better use of the former church."

The future of the Forest Cafe was thrown into doubt after building owner Edinburgh University Settlement (EUS) went bankrupt in October last year. The Save The Forest campaign was launched immediately to try to buy the building and raised 25,000 to help fund a move to a new location.

Mosque Kitchen management could not be reached for comment.