Worried Edinburgh campaigners launch petition to 'save' Summerhall venue

A petition has been launched to 'preserve' a huge Edinburgh venue.

It was announced on Tuesday, May 14 that the owners of Summerhall are putting the iconic Festival Fringe base on the market.

However, 200 people have signed a petition out of 'concern' for the future of the centre.

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Oesselmann Estate Limited, owners of Summerhall, have announced their intention to sell the building with all the current licences included. Planned events including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024 and all year-round events will take place as planned.

With over 110 companies working within the former vet school building, Summerhall Management Ltd hope to work closely with the agent and owners to continue to build upon all that has been achieved over the last 13 years.

The chief executive of Summerhall has reassured that the arts will be at the front and centre of any decisions made.

While Summerhall has yet to officially go on the market, the petition is encouraging prospective buyers to preserve its role as a hub for the creative and arts industry in Edinburgh.

It reads: "We are deeply concerned about the potential sale of Summerhall, a vital cultural institution in our city. Since its transformation from the Royal School of Veterinary Studies in 2011, Summerhall has been a thriving multi-arts venue, hosting over 110 companies, galleries, studios, and community spaces.

"We oppose any plans to convert Summerhall into apartments or student flats, as such a move would not only strip away a crucial cultural asset but also diminish the unique character of our community.

"We urge the current owners and potential buyers to explore alternative solutions that preserve Summerhall's role as a hub for creativity, innovation, and community engagement. Whether through community ownership, partnerships with cultural organizations, or other innovative approaches, we believe there are viable alternatives that can ensure Summerhall's continued success."

One person commented: "This is a very wonderful and unique performance and arts space. If this was lost there are no equivalents and Edinburgh be poorer as a result."

Another echoed: "Summerhall is a key part of the city's cultural identity and must be preserved."

"This is an important community and arts space and would be a great loss, especially if turned into flats", a third added.

You can see the petition on Change.org.

Sam Gough, Chief Executive said: “The whole of the team here at Summerhall, who deliver the busy and vibrant programme of events, community projects, visual arts exhibitions, and our incredible Fringe programme, are committed to the long-term survival of the immensely important cultural work that was started here in 2011.

"The building is being sold with leases intact so over 100+ artists, small businesses and companies that work out of Summerhall will remain. Our annual programme of events and the Fringe in 2024 will not be affected.

"The building has only just been put on sale and to clarify some speculation, it has not been sold. We look forward to working with the agent and any potential new owners to ensure the arts are front and centre of any decisions that may be made in the future for this now iconic arts campus.

"Robert, our founder and the director of Summerhall, is fully committed to this ambitious project that he bravely started 13 years ago in the spirit of the original 1947 festival, which is to heal the wounds of conflict through the language of the arts”

Robert McDowell, Founder and Director said: “When much else in life is uncertain and filled with warring, when the healing balms of the arts are in highest demand, it is troubling for much-loved, dare I say famous, Summerhall to go through the property market wringer! Against my personal wishes, a majority of the shareholders voted to put the premises up for sale.

"My hope is that we come through this intact and able to continue as before, perhaps even better? We proved ourselves a valuable part of what makes Edinburgh a great city and fully international. We are honoured that there is so much love and support, let us hope for the best”