Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Today Confirmed Funding For New Music Venue, Dunard Centre

At a meeting today of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Joint Committee, Dunard Centre supported by Royal Bank of Scotland was confirmed as receiving support of £10 million each from the UK and Scottish governments, and a further £5 million from the City of Edinburgh Council.

The music venue, which was given the green light by Edinburgh's planning authorities in November, is being funded through substantial philanthropic donations, including the visionary support of £35m from Dunard Fund, and underpinned by £25 million support from the Scottish and UK governments and the City of Edinburgh Council, as part of the City Region Deal.

The Royal Bank of Scotland is supporting the project by providing a long-term lease for the land.

Having successfully secured planning permission and this substantial grant towards its £75million budget, the team behind Dunard Centre is now confidently progressing the final design details and preparing to begin work on site. A fundraising campaign to secure the remaining £15m of the project budget is already well underway.

Dunard Centre supported by Royal Bank of Scotland is set to be Edinburgh's first purpose-built music and performance venue in over 100 years. A number of studies have highlighted the need to augment the City's venue base with a world-class hall of this scale and quality, attracting major artists who currently rule out a visit to Scotland's capital because of a lack of appropriate provision.

The 1,000 capacity Dunard Centre transforms a forgotten site between St Andrew Square and the new St James Quarter into this exciting new destination in which music lovers can come together to experience incredible performances from the very best artists from all genres, with unexpected collaborations and bold programming designed to appeal to audiences of all ages and tastes. The flexible setting will be a home for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and a key venue for the Edinburgh International Festival, as well as host for other ensembles, choirs, solo musicians, performers and bands.

A welcoming café and an all-day events schedule will ensure the Centre's contribution as a cultural hub and showcase venue, with education and community outreach programmes encouraging participation throughout the region.

Councillor Imrie, Chair of the ESES City Region Joint Committee said: "The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Joint Committee today confirmed a package of support totalling £25million towards Edinburgh's first new purpose-built music space in 100 years. IMPACT Scotland has made clear in its business case the reach of this project; its positive impact on our cultural reputation regionally and nationally, as well as the impact and opportunities for employment and skills development, economic benefit and sustainable value that it brings the Edinburgh and South East Scotland city region."

Joanna Baker, Executive Director of Impact Scotland, the charity responsible for the construction and operation of the Dunard Centre said: "Edinburgh is a diverse and growing city, and it is our strong belief that the Dunard Centre will drive the future of music and culture across the region. In building an iconic piece of 21st century infrastructure we are creating space for a new generation of music making and we are delighted that this is recognised by the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal partners. We thank them for this endorsement and look forward to collaborating with colleagues to ensure that the project inspires artists and communities across the region."

City of Edinburgh Council leader, Adam McVey said: "This major investment by City of Edinburgh Council, with support from government and an extremely large contribution from a private benefactor, will help to make this exciting and important new cultural venue for our Capital a reality. It will be the first purpose-built concert venue in Edinburgh in more than 100 years and will give us a state-of-the-art facility which matches our international standing as the world's premier festival city.

"I know so many people in the city are looking forward to enjoying all that this first-class cultural experience has to offer and will benefit from its central location with fantastic public transport connections. The cultural flagship of our City Region Deal, it will complement the wider transformation of the east end of the city centre alongside the Edinburgh St James Quarter, our George Street First New Town transformation project and all the private investment currently taking place across Princes Street and the city centre, all helping to keep our city centre a vibrant and thriving destination.

"I look forward to the next major milestone of the Dunard Centre and seeing how IMPACT Scotland, who will operate the venue, work with the local communities and schools to make music accessible for all."

UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said: "The pandemic has been challenging for performing arts across the UK, not least in Edinburgh with its internationally famous festivals, artists and venues.

"But we will build back better and I can think of no finer example than helping create the capital's first new music venue in a hundred years as well as a home for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

"The UK Government is investing £10m in the Dunard Centre as part of our £300m support for the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal."

Scottish Government Economy Secretary Kate Forbes said: "The Scottish Government is providing £10 million towards construction of the Dunard Centre in recognition of its potential to significantly boost Edinburgh's cultural offering and provide a new home to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

"Projects like this, supported through our £300 million investment in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, are helping us rebuild a more sustainable and fairer economy for all."

Malcolm Buchanan, chair, Scotland Board, Royal Bank of Scotland, said: "Edinburgh is a global capital and world stage for international arts, culture and music. The Dunard Centre will provide further space to continue that tradition and offer further opportunity for more musicians and artists to develop and create. This project is a great example of what can be achieved with close collaboration across the city's public and private sectors. Royal Bank of Scotland is delighted to play a part in helping bring this project to life."

To post a comment, you must register and login.