Waterfront museums to go Forth

Published on Friday 25 April 2008 10:37

HERITAGE campaigners on Edinburgh's waterfront have been given a boost after two museum projects won the backing of council chiefs.

The local authority is set to enter into talks with Forth Ports about re-opening Newhaven Museum, which closed down in 2006.

And the campaign for a Leith Museum is likely to be given staffing, expertise and resources from the city's own museums team.

Council officials have also agreed with campaigners that the Custom House on Constitution Street would be the best venue for the museum.

Jim Inch, the city's director of corporate services, is to urge councillors at Tuesday's culture and leisure committee to support the Leith campaign.

He is expected to recognise the strength of strong local interest in a possible museum for Leith for a number of years and to acknowledge there is now an opportunity to work with other groups to develop the idea.

Mr Inch believes the council could provide practical help from experienced staff and the city's museums team could offer regular support and advice to the Leith Museum Group, a body set up by interested parties to campaign for the creation of a Leith Museum.

He also believes that council officials could also work with potential partners in negotiations to examine how to set up the museum.

It would house historical relics, such as First World War archives, as well as tributes to modern Leith – including a possible feature on The Proclaimers.

Sir Tom Farmer has been appointed patron of the campaign and Edinburgh North and Leith MP Mark Lazarowicz is a supporter.

Mr Inch has also outlined council officials' commitment to re-opening Newhaven Museum, which originally opened in 1994.

The museum on Pier Place at the harbour had a sub-lease from Harry Ramsden's fish and chip restaurant, which closed in 2002. The museum continued to operate, but was closed in late 2006 and all artefacts moved out while a decision on its future was made.

Now Mr Inch is set to urge councillors to approve a plan that would see the building revamped and artefacts restored.

He said this would "fulfil the aspirations of the community" and provide "a destination for visitors to find out about the rich and varied history of Newhaven and a visitor attraction that would complement the commercial offer on the harbour".

Leith councillor Rob Munn said: "This is great news for the communities of Leith and Newhaven.

"It is fantastic to see the idea of a museum in Newhaven refreshed, while I take my hat off to the campaigners for the Leith museum who have lobbied for years on this front. It is a big step forward for both."