Heat on university over Bongo Club eviction

Edinburgh University faces demands from the SNP to over-turn a decision to evict a popular music centre from its home to make way for offices.

The Bongo Club, a leading Fringe venue that has hosted shows by the likes of Scissor Sisters, Kasabian, KT Tunstall, Mark Thomas and Rob Newman, faces closure after this year’s festival.

However Edinburgh Central MSP Marco Biagi said he had demanded an explanation from the university over its decision, after being inundated by complaints.

He said he was hugely concerned about the potential loss of another independent venue in the city, following the demise of the Forest Cafe, the Roxy Art House and Cabaret Voltaire.

Steve Cardownie, deputy leader of Edinburgh city council, has also offered the authority’s help because of the importance of the Bongo Club to the Fringe.

Mr Biagi said: “I have written to Edinburgh University and have asked them to reconsider.

“I very much share the concerns about losing another independent venue, and that this adds to closures of the Forest, the Roxy, and Cabaret Voltaire.

“I have also contacted the management of the Bongo Club and offered to help find an alternative venue for the club so it can continue in the future.”

Mr Cardownie, the city’s festivals and events champion, said: “The council is the biggest property owner in the city and we will certainly do everything we can to help the Bongo Club. It has had a hugely influential role on the Fringe.

“We do not always take the view that we must accept the highest price for a site, we also consider wider circumstances.”

The university has insisted the Bongo Club must leave its current home on Holyrood Road to allow a new home for the office of lifelong learning to be built.