Item No. 7.10 Former North British Rubber Company Building 1

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Finance and Budget Committee

10.00am, Thursday, 21 March 2013

Former North British Rubber Company Building,

Gilmore Park/Fountainbridge Road:

Proposed Disposal

Links

Coalition pledges P17

Council outcomes C07

Single Outcome Agreement S01

Item number

Report number

Wards 9. Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart

7.10


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Executive summary

Former North British Rubber Company Building,

Gilmore Park/Fountainbridge Road:

Proposed Disposal

Summary

Edinburgh Printmakers has outgrown its existing building which is leased from the

Council in Union Street and is seeking a new location within Edinburgh to create a

sustainable major arts facility. As reported to the 21 February meeting of the Finance

and Budget Committee, the proposed Arts Hub which was to be developed at 4-8

Market Street, and would have housed Edinburgh Printmakers, is not considered to be

feasible. An alternative site is required.

With assistance from EDI, Edinburgh Printmakers (EP) has now identified the former

North British Rubber Company (NBRC) factory building, a category C listed vacant

building on the corner of Gilmore Park and Dundee Street, as a possible new venue.

The building sits within the 11.5 acre site which was acquired by the Council to develop

the new Boroughmuir High School and would offer greater benefits than the site in

Market Street and several other options. Access for loading and unloading is better, it

will be possible to install a purpose-built heavy goods lift; and the building is big enough

for EP to implement its vision for a combined cultural visitor attraction and community

amenity, while making active use of the neighbouring canal. The building is shown

hatched on the attached plan.

The remainder of the site will be developed for mixed use and a masterplan for the site

is currently being prepared (using the title Fountain Quay as it is bordered on one side

by the Union Canal). The Community Consultation phase identified the need for an arts

presence as part of the wider development.


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The Heads of Terms will be structured so as to protect the wider vision of the Fountain

Quay masterplan.

Recommendations

Committee is recommended to:

1. Authorise the Director of Services for Communities to enter into exclusive

detailed discussions with Edinburgh Printmakers to agree Heads of Terms for

the purchase of the former North British Rubber Company Building; and

2 Note that a further report will be submitted to the Committee in June that will

provide the details of the agreed Heads of Terms for approval.

Measures of Success

A listed building will be brought back into use through community involvement. This will

provide a focus on the arts and employment opportunities in the area. It will also allow

the development of an important component of the wider masterplan for the

Fountainbridge site.

Financial impact

A capital receipt will be obtained in 2014. The sale of a listed building will remove a

potential long term repairing liability from the Council.

Sustainability impact

The sale will allow an important arts provider within the city to establish a world classcentre which will have a positive impact on the right to productive and valued activities.

EPs vision for the new venue includes specific action to target hard to reach sections

of the community, to encourage participation by all ages and groups.


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Background reading / external references

Location plan attached as Appendix 1.

Mark Turley

Director of Services for Communities

Links

Coalition pledges P17 - Continue efforts to develop the citys gap sites andencourage regeneration

Council outcomes CO7 - Edinburgh draws new investment in development andregeneration

Single Outcome

Agreement

SO1 Edinburghs economy delivers increased investment, jobs

and opportunities for all.Appendices Location plan attached


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Documents

Item No. 7.10 Former North British Rubber Company Building 1