Edinburgh's King's Theatre: Big increase in pavement outside to tie in with major revamp

An extra 100 square metres of space for pedestrians will be created in front of the Tollcross building, which has been closed for three years for the major upgrade.

There will also be work to provide easier access to the theatre, make other public realm improvements and “future proof” the area for delivery of the Meadows to Union Canal active travel project.

The revamp of the theatre, which includes new staircases and lifts, as well as a ground-floor cafe-bar, a flatter stage to attract a greater variety of performances and improved backstage facilities, has been under way since 2022.

An artist's impression of how the refurbished King's Theatre will look. Picture: Bennetts Associates.

The height of the building has been extended for a new "fly tower" to move scenery, previous bars and foyer areas are being overhauled, while a new dedicated space is being created on the upper floor for classes and workshops.

But the cost of the work has soared from £15 million to more than £40m and the theatre is not due to reopen until next year.

Transport and environment convener Stephen Jenkinson said: “The work at the theatre is a huge project which has been going on for some time now and we have been working with the King’s Theatre on planned public realm improvements adjacent to the theatre.

“We’re looking to develop step-free access from the street into the theatre, straight to their seat, to make that really historic building much more accessible.

“We’re also going to future proof that public realm adjacent to the theatre, linking into the Meadows to Union Canal active travel project - and we’re going to try to deliver both those projects in conjunction with each other so we don’t end up finishing one project and then starting another.

“The pavement area is going to increase by about 100 square metres - a considerable increase in the area around there for pedestrians.

“We’re going to make permanent the exemption for people cycling westbound on Valleyfield Street and we’re going to adjust Greeways restrictions on Leven Street from Tarvit Street to Glengyle Terrace, because there’s going to be a change to the road layout, which will mean a small increase in the overall Greenways loading bay provision too.”

He said the plans had been circulated to Tollcross community council, local ward councillors, local businesses and others. “We’ll liaise with them and look for feedback as part of that more informal consultation to help shape that project as it goes forward.”

The Meadows to Union Canal project involves a new dedicated route for cyclists running from the Meadows, along Brougham Place, Tarvit Street, Home Street, Lochrin Place and then onto the Union Canal. Its aim is to provide “cyclists of all abilities” with a “safe, direct passage” between the Meadows and the canal, as well as improving the “walking experience” and encouraging people to consider active travel as a mode of transport.