Tag: community partnership

Partnership secures the future of Leith Custom House

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT) is delighted to announce a new community partnership with Leith Civic Trust aimed at securing the long-term future of Leith Custom House.

The collaboration promises to transform this landmark historic building into a vibrant civic space and Scotland’s first fully digital museum, creating a ‘town square for the twenty-first century’ that will celebrate Leith’s unique culture and heritage. 

Maggie Wright, Chair, Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Leith Civic Trust to help us realise the long-held community desire for a museum for Leith.

“The ambition has always been for this museum to be managed by the community through a community-led charitable trust who would ensure that the museum responds to local needs and aspirations, Leith Civic Trust will help us realise this goal together.  

“This project has been a long-time in development, but following the agreement last year with Edinburgh Museums & Galleries, we are delighted that the project now has real momentum”  

Following from the strategic partnership with City of Edinburgh Council Museums & Galleries agreed last October, the new community partnership with Leith Civic Trust will ensure that this project is developed for, and by, the local community.

Leith Civic Trust will be adopted by SHBT as the future operator of the groundbreaking museum at the heart of this innovative restoration project.

This marks an exciting new chapter for Leith Civic Trust whose work for over two decades has championed the history and heritage of Leith.  

SHBT will support Leith Civic Trust in growing its membership and recruiting new trustees, who will receive in-depth training to manage the digital museum once the restoration is complete. 

Cron Mackay, President, Leith Civic Trust, said: “Since our foundation in 1968, Leith Civic Trust has been dedicated to preserving and championing the beauty, history and character of Leith. Leith has a wealth of distinctive stories to tell, and we are delighted that the new museum at Custom House will be a space where all Leithers, old and new, can see themselves represented.

“We look forward to welcoming new Members as we embark on this exciting journey together with SHBT and encourage anyone who may be interested in being involved to get in touch.” 

Ben Macpherson, MSP for Leith, attended the event and said: “It is great to see this progress, and further collaboration, towards realising the potential of the Customs House as an even better space for the people of Leith to use and enjoy, and for visitors to come and check out too.

“The plans are exciting and the momentum is building, with more partners getting involved and new potential avenues for funding emerging.

“I pay tribute to everyone that’s been involved in the project – including those who saved the building for the community, and have been engaged for many years now – and I look forward to continuing to support the exciting vision that there is now for the Customs House, and believe that by working together we can all make this happen.”

Tracy Gilbert, Labour MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, said: “One of my very first visits as an MP was to Leith Custom House, and even then, I was amazed by the dedication of the team to securing Custom House as a community anchor.

“The launch of the partnership demonstrates a strong commitment to working with local businesses and residents. I congratulate the whole team on their success so far and look forward to working with them to deliver their ambitious vision.”

 

Community partnership shines new light on Gyle Park

Visitors to a west Edinburgh park can soon enjoy a safe and well-lit access route thanks to an innovative community partnership brought together by local residents. 

The Friends of The Gyle Park have linked with local homebuilder Artisan Real Estate and building contractor Cruden Building East, as well as other partners, to raise the necessary funds to install twelve streetlamps along a busy walkway in and out of the park. Other contributors to the project include The Careys Foundation and Scottish Water, with support from the City of Edinburgh Council. 

The newly illuminated pedestrian route links the Gyle Park Sports Pavilion, to the north of the park, to Gylemuir Road which is home to Artisan’s 93-apartment Rowanbank Gardens development, due for completion in spring 2023. 

Welcoming the installation of the new street lighting, Tommy McLean, Chair of the Friends of The Gyle Park, said: “This is a well-used walkway which provides an essential pedestrian link between the residential developments and shops either side of the park.  

“It is also a convenient cut-through to the train station at South Gyle and is used by children going to and from the two primary schools in the area, avoiding the busy A8. 

“The new street lighting means that we can now have safe and well-lit access to the park throughout the year, which will be a huge benefit to local residents and everyone who uses the park on a regular basis.” 

Artisan moved on site at the adjacent Rowanbank Gardens in 2021, and the company was keen to get involved in a project which added to the development’s already superb connectivity with the local area.

Artisan’s Development Director for Scotland David Westwater explained: “Rowanbank Gardens is already making headlines for its low-carbon and sustainability credentials, and an important part of that is how easily it connects to its wider neighbourhood and public transport network, reducing the need for car travel. 

“As such, we were delighted to work in partnership with the local community to improve access into the park and beyond, bringing significant value both to existing residents and to potential home purchasers at Rowanbank Gardens.” 

Cruden Building East is the on-site contractor for Artisan at Rowanbank Gardens and Senior Project Manager Mike Howlett was also keen for the company to become involved. He said: “Our work at Rowanbank Gardens is much more than building homes. It’s also about being part of the community, so we are very pleased to support this important local initiative.” 

Prices for a two-bedroom apartment at Rowanbank Gardens start at just £245,000 making it a perfect destination for first-time buyers and downsizers wanting to live in well-connected, bustling community just minutes from the city centre. 

To register interest and book an appointment at the new on-site sales and marketing suite, visit the development website at www.rowanbankgardens.com or call 0131 516 3302.