Art deco White House restored to become shining beacon for community

AN ART deco landmark in Edinburgh has been restored to its former glory with the hope that it will become a new focal point.

The White House in Craigmillar has been brought back to life as part of a 2 million project funded by the Scottish Government's Town Centre Regeneration Fund and Parc, the regeneration body in the area.

Justice secretary and local MSP Kenny MacAskill said he was delighted to see the well-known roadhouse returned to glory. He added: "This is not just an iconic building, it is what it represents and what it offers in terms of potential. This is a building returned to the heart of a community that is an outstanding community."

The White House, which was built in 1936 as a roadhouse which people would visit on motoring trips out of Edinburgh city centre, will now be developed for community use - with hopes that it will house a caf, an art space and meeting rooms for voluntary organisations. Over the next 12 weeks, interested groups and members of the public will be able to visit an exhibition at the White House, showing the building in its heyday and describing the restoration project.

Johnni Stanton, a lifelong resident of Craigmillar and team leader of the Craigmillar Archive Trust, said many would have fond memories of the pub.

He added: "You could come in for a pint and come out with a fur coat and new shoes."