Praise the Lord! Historic church gets new life as a performing arts centre

The Braid Church, on the corner of Nile Grove and Hermitage Terrace, has been used in recent years as a community centre attached to Morningside Parish Church, but was sold by the Church of Scotland last year after being marketed for around 1 million.

Its new owners plan to turn the octagonal nave into a 400-seat auditorium along with a second, smaller, theatre and a studio for dance classes. There will also be a bar and catering facilities.

The Category B-listed building is being converted by architecture firm Format Design, which transformed the former Royal Bank of Scotland on George Street into The Dome bar. The 1886 building will have its pews removed to create the auditorium, but the gallery will be retained.

The firm behind the plan, G&L Properties, plans to bring its own acts to the venue as well as hiring it out to performers, community groups and for weddings.

A planning application for the change has been submitted. If permission is granted, it is hoped the venue will open this summer.

Architectural consultant Bob Tait said acts at the venue would be in keeping with its genteel Morningside location: "The owners will be producing plays and bringing in acts. It will encompass all entertainment types – concerts, music – we're also doing The Liquid Room at the moment and I think we'll leave the DJs and bands to them – there's plenty of that type of thing in the town."

Meadows/Morningside Councillor Mark McInnes said: "I think a lot of local people will be looking at the application with some scrutiny but will be pleased that some of the other rumours didn't come to pass. It is a very unusual building because of its shape, so I think people will be keeping a keen eye on what happens."

Members of Morningside Community Council will meet with representatives of the developer on Tuesday to discuss the plan.

The community council meeting will be at 6pm at the Open Door in Morningside Road.