Duncan Place ownership transferred to the Leith community

Following years of uncertainty and possible demolition, the asset transfer between the City of Edinburgh Council and the management team and board of trustees of Duncan Place has recently completed.  This firmly places the much-loved community hub in the ownership of the Duncan Place charity for the people of Leith for generations to come.

Duncan Place Community Hub was originally built in 1920 as Leith Academy Technical College & Gymnasium, it transitioned to a community centre in the 70s and has been home to the local artist group, Academy Arts since 1978.

In 2014, the council temporarily closed the building to carry out inspection works into its structural safety, which resulted in permanent closure the following year. The funds were not available for the council to carry out the required works to preserve and restore the building and so it faced potential demolition.

However, various members of the community came together in an attempt to rescue the building for the people of Leith. Duncan Place centre manager, Nicola Lamberton and the five strong board of trustees worked tirelessly over a seven year period to transfer the asset across to the community under the Community Empowerment Bill.

Working closely with the Economic Development team at the council, Duncan Place was able to access various grant funds to deliver the required refurbishment programme for the building.

Between funds awarded from Scottish Government and the Lottery, Duncan Place received in excess of £2.1m to carry out the restoration and refurbishment works to ensure the building was futureproofed for many years to come.

Commenting on the asset transfer, Nicola Lamberton, the manager of the Duncan Place Community Hub charity said: “This is a huge milestone for everyone in the community to know that the future of the hub is secure and it’s owned by the charity for the people of Leith.

“We always recognised the social value that the hub brought to groups and to individuals living in Leith and beyond. This is why we have been so determined over the years to ensure the building was retained in order to continue to support so many amazing organisations and local people.”

Operating as a social enterprise and registered charity, Duncan Place is now home to six organisations that have long term tenancies in place with the community hub using it as their permanent base, these include Duncan Places own space, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, Edinburgh Colleges English for Speakers of Other Languages programme, Kin Collective, Home-Start Edinburgh and AdvoCard.

In addition to these organisations using the hub, there are a further 40 community groups that regularly hire the space to hold their classes and events. Any profit made is used by the Duncan Place charity to offer low cost community activities.

The growing programme of events can be viewed on the charities website:  www.duncanplace.org.

Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith added: “Scottish Government provided much of the funding required to deliver the refurbishment programme for Duncan Place Community Hub and I’m delighted to see the building transformed and thriving.

“The model adopted by Duncan Place whereby local charities pay an affordable rent and in return receive a secure tenancy in the area is wonderful. To know that the rents raised ensure financial sustainability for the organisation, as well as enabling the hub to provide low cost community activities is something that I am proud to have supported”.

Councillor Mandy Watt, CECs Finance and Resources Convener, said: “This milestone has been years in the making and we’ve enjoyed seeing Duncan Place brought back into use. Now, the council is giving ownership of the building back to the people of Leith.

“It’s brilliant news for the area and a good example of collaboration and partnership working between the public and voluntary sectors. Everyone from local councillors to group members have supported this project moving forward.

“The revitalised Duncan Place building will not only help to reduce inequality by providing much needed affordable space for events, classes and workshops, it will support jobs and support local people, acting as a true community hub.”