Musselburgh's Brunton Theatre says long-term future lies in Haddington after move to Corn Exchange
A theatre trust which had to move out of its home after the building was no longer considered safe says it will be staying in its temporary base long term.
The Brunton Theatre was shut two years ago after crumbling concrete, known as RAAC, was discovered in the roof of its landmark building in Musselburgh.
At the time the trust which runs it moved to nearby Haddington to continue putting on performances and events, taking up temporary residence in the council’s Corn Exchange building which had recently undergone an £800,000 refurbishment.
A meeting of East Lothian Licensing Board this week heard the trust had now settled in for the long term as they applied for a permanent premises licence to serve alcohol at the venue.
The meeting was told that in the two years since the trust moved into the Haddington building they had served alcohol using occasional licences.
However they said, following the confirmation that the Brunton Theatre and Hall was closing permanently in October last year, they were now looking at a long term future in their current venue.
In a statement to the board, the trust said: “The Brunton@Haddington Corn Exchange is a performing arts venue run by the trust and has been in operation since 2023 when the Brunton Theatre Trust relocated its activity following the closure of the Brunton Hall.
“This was initially a temporary measure but following the permanent closure of Brunton Hall in October it is now a long term relocation.”
Board member Councillor Lee-Anne Menzies welcomed the application for the premises licence, saying: “This is a positive move, I am glad to see the Brunton Trust do this in a permanent manner. I am delighted to support it.”
And fellow board member Councillor John McMillan said: “I am very pleased this is being regularised because I think anybody who has ever attended an event whether it is theatre or presentations, the welcome of the staff is very professional, the whole running of events is really goof.
“I welcome the fact that despite the problems with the Brunton Hall in Musselburgh, having come out to the community and being in Haddington, as a local ward member, I really welcome this.”
The board unanimously approved the premises licence.