'Assembly Rooms will never be the same again' fear Fringe promoters

PROMOTERS who have staged Fringe shows at Edinburgh's historic Assembly Rooms for more than 30 years have warned the venue will "never be the same again" after a controversial refurbishment of the building was approved.

Councillors spent less than an hour debating the fate of the A-listed building, which will gain shops and a restaurant to help pay for a full restoration.

The local authority hopes to begin work on an 18-month revamp next month, and although Historic Scotland has still to give the final go-ahead for any work, they have given a strong indication that they support the plans.

City culture leader Deidre Brock, who had been highly critical of what she called a "dangerously misleading" campaign against the plans which was launched last month, insisted Fringe shows would continue to be staged at the Assembly Rooms and said the go-ahead was crucial because it secured the long-term future of the building.

By last night more than 7,500 people had backed a demand by Assembly Theatre to rethink the plans, which critics warned would dramatically alter the atmosphere of the building and lead to the loss of five theatre spaces during the Fringe.

But despite being told the council had ignored major concerns raised by Assembly Theatre since the plans were first revealed four years ago, councillors voted 40-18 in favour of the proposal, which the council insists will bring the building fully into use 52 weeks a year.

Sandy Ross, a former managing director of STV who sits on the board of Assembly Theatre, said: "The Assembly Rooms has played a major part in the life of this city.

"We believe the proposals as they stand will fundamentally alter the nature of the Assembly Rooms. It is not just another site ripe for redevelopment."

Fellow board member Michael Dale, who served as Fringe director from 1982 to 1986, said: "The Assembly Rooms was hardly used at all until Fringe shows were staged there.

"It is Assembly Theatre that has put it on the map and revitalised it and it deserved to be at the centre of cultural life in the city.

"But if these plans go ahead it will never be the same again during the Festival."

Councillors in the ruling SNP-Liberal Democrat administration pointed out that Assembly Theatre had benefited from a "peppercorn rent" for the building during the Fringe and was given grants for several years.

It was also pointed out that the council had helped Assembly launch a new venue in Princes Street Gardens last summer and was helping to find another Assembly venue elsewhere in the city for next summer.

Ms Brock told The Scotsman: "I'm pleased the building is now going to be refurbished. We couldn't delay any further.Fringe shows will continue to be held there in the future."

However Labour MSP Sarah Boyack said: "I am astonished the council has alienated so many people over these proposals. I hope Historic Scotland takes a very serious look at them."