Exclusive:'Bright new future' pledge for Summerhall as full-scale Edinburgh Festival Fringe comeback confirmed

Summerhall Arts has set out ambitions to become "Edinburgh's leading arts organisation" despite the planned sale of the former vet school to a luxury housebuilder.

It plans to stage a full festival programme at the former vet school in August after delayed box office payments were finally made to more than 100 shows staged at the venue last summer.

Summerhall Arts is hoping to secure a three-year funding deal with national arts agency Creative Scotland later this month to help ensure the "consistent provision" of culture at the site, near the Meadows, for the foreseeable future.

The charity envisages a year-round programme of theatre, music, cinema and visual art exhibitions. The body also wants to host workshops, masterclasses, rehearsals and networking events to encourage and support the development of new work.

The charity has pledged to champion the voices of emerging and early career artists, and provide spaces for "artistic experimentation" and new writing.

Sam Gough, who has been chief executive of Summerhall for the past two years, will be heading up the arts charity, which has pledged to "support, develop and enrich the artistic community and cultural fabric of Edinburgh".

Summerhall has had an uncertain future since May last year when it emerged that it had been put up for sale. At the time, estate agents suggested it could become home to new housing, student accommodation or boutique hotels.

It emerged in October that His Majesty's Revenue and Customs was pursuing a winding up petition over more than £500,000 in alleged unpaid corporation tax - a legal move that led to Summerhall's bank accounts being frozen.

Weeks later Edinburgh-based housebuilder AMA confirmed it was the preferred bidder for the whole Summerhall complex.

However the company has insisted that culture will remain a “priority” at the 130,000 sq ft site in future, and has pledged an “ongoing commitment to continue supporting the arts on the site” while the long-term plans for Summerhall are developed and pursued.

It has also pledged that a “substantial proportion” of the site will be earmarked for “art, conferences, entertainment and public space” in its redevelopment plans.

Summerhall founder Robert McDowell repeatedly insisted that the venue did not owe any corporation tax but admitted in November that an “accounting error” had been made around 10 years ago.

And it was announced this week the court action had been withdrawn and outstanding box office payments, including for Fringe shows staged last year, had been made.

The reprieve has allowed Summerhall Arts to announce the return of the Fringe to the venue, which has been hosting live shows and exhibitions since 2011.

Mr Gough said: "We have planned a diverse programme of work throughout the entire year, which will go a long way to support and develop the sector year-round. But the first announcement is that we are going to deliver a Fringe programme, which is a thrilling opportunity to push boundaries and provide a platform for both emerging and established artists.

Summerhall Arts was launched in October 2023 with the aim of providing more year-round support and opportunities to help artists and arts organisations develop and launch new work.

However it has been exploring ways to keep arts provision intact at the venue ever since the sale of Summerhall was announced.

Mr Gough added: “Our vision is simple - to celebrate art that speaks to the moment and invites new perspectives, all while fostering strong relationships with artists and audiences alike. “With our ongoing efforts to secure multi-year funding, we are optimistic this will strengthen our ability to support all of the artists of the future, keeping Scotland at the very forefront of the sector."

Performance programmer Tom Forster said: "Our 2025 Fringe programme will continue to be exactly what we know and love, challenging contemporary work that says something about the world and does it in an interesting way."

Visual arts programmer Samantha Chapman said: "The next steps for Summerhall Arts are bold and innovative as we create a powerful force to protect and promote the arts in Scotland, offering opportunities to practicing visual artists and inspiring experiences to audiences."