Fears for Summerhall as Fringe venue listed for sale

Summerhall hosts hundreds of Fringe events every year

Concerns have been raised over the future of one of Edinburgh’s best-known Fringe venues after it was put up for sale months before the start of the festival.

Summerhall, which hosts hundreds of performances every August, has been listed on the open market.

The complex, overlooking the Meadows, was converted from the former site of the city’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies to an arts hub in 2011 and is now home to more than 100 businesses.

But an estate agent listing suggests possible redevelopment of the facility could see it converted into a “boutique hotel or student accommodation”.

Thousands of people, including author Sir Ian Rankin, have backed a petition against any move to close it as an arts complex.

Robert McDowell, who founded the venue, said the sale was going ahead "against his wishes".

The complex is owned by Isle of Man-based Oesselmann Estates Limited, but run by Summerhall Management.

Summerhall said the 2024 Fringe programme would go ahead as planned, and promised that any sale would "ensure the arts are front and centre of any decisions that may be made in the future".

Pussy Riot perform at Summerhall in 2022

But a listing on commercial property site Cuthbert White suggests refurbishment options including "residential, galleries and entertainment spaces, boutique hotels, offices, studios, and student housing".

However, it also states the building is being sold with the current leases intact.

Mr McDowell said he was hopeful the complex could come through the sale process unscathed.

He 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, the decision was made to put the premises up for sale.

“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."

The veterinary school moved into the building in 1916, two years after it was completed.

It remained on the site until 2010, when it relocated to a new campus in the south of the city.

The McDowell family acquired it in 2011, developing it into the current arts complex and venue.

Barney’s Beer and the Pickering's Gin distillery are among its permanent tenants, while it has also been used for a number of music and theatre performances outside of the Fringe.

Summerhall Management chief executive, Sam Gough, said they were "committed to the long-term survival" of the venue.

He added: "The building is being sold with leases intact so over 100 plus 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."

Mr Gough also emphasised that, despite speculation, it had yet to be sold.

He said: "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.”