Arts body on the move as developers draw up deal

SCOTLAND'S new national arts and screen body is to move to the Waverley Gate development after site operators agreed to foot the bill for the relocation costs.

Developers at the former General Post Office building, which has struggled to find tenants since its 100 million revamp five years ago, agreed to contribute heavily to the move from Creative Scotland's Manor Place headquarters in early 2011.

The new quango, controversially formed this year by the merger of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen, has announced work fitting out the Waverley Place offices, at a cost of 320,000, will begin this month.

However, it has insisted that a rent-free period offered by landlord Highcross will mean that the move will have no effect on its investment in the creative industries.

Andrew Dixon, chief executive of Creative Scotland, said: "The move is an exciting step forward for Creative Scotland which will allow us to develop a creative hub in central Edinburgh and work more effectively to support Scotland's vibrant creative sector.

"Our current Edinburgh office at Manor Place is made up of 50 rooms over five floors, and its listed-building status restricts our ability to develop the sort of facilities we want to provide for creative practitioners, artists and staff.

"The new open-plan workspace has a mixture of permanent and flexible working areas for staff, as well as workspaces for visiting professionals.

He added: "We have secured exceptional value for money over the period of the lease."

A new tenant for the body's 50-room townhouse in the West End has already been found, while the new office in Waverley Place will have the capacity for 86 staff.

Its conference areas will be able to accommodate all of Creative Scotland's staff from its Glasgow and Edinburgh offices for meetings and events.

In addition, the site has the facilities to hold public exhibitions and houses a small screening room, while the relocation costs will not exceed 70,000 due to the contribution of landlords.

Mike Irvine, partner at Montagu Evans, said: "Waverley Gate currently offers the best value for money of any office building in Edinburgh.

"With highly-flexible floor plates, it has been possible to attract a wide range of occupiers and it is our intention to continue to secure occupiers for the remaining 130,000sq ft of offices."

Global firms such as Microsoft have been attracted to the A-listed site since its interior was demolished in 2003 and replaced with steel and glass.