Edinburgh Filmhouse plan would revitalise under-used Festival Square – Steve Cardownie

It was interesting to read in yesterday’s paper that the Centre for Moving Image which runs the existing Filmhouse has come up with a proposal to act as “caretaker” for Festival Square.

Festival Square in Edinburgh's west end would be transformed under the plans for the new £60 million Filmhouse development. (Picture: Richard Murphy Architects)

It is proposed that the Filmhouse will relocate to the square to a purpose-built, nine-storey building and generate activity and events into what has proved to be a barren area.

The new building – planning permission and funding permitted – is due to open in 2025 and will breathe much needed life into the area.

Plans envisage that the square would host outdoor art exhibitions, and live performances with expanded pavement café areas which would be occupied by neighbouring hospitality businesses.

Many major cities throughout Europe have large paved squares which do not turn into a sea of mud due to weather conditions which Edinburgh lacks.

As the former Festival and Events Champion for the city council, I was always aware that the weather could intervene and turn our public parks, where the majority of events are held, into virtually an inaccessible quagmire.

A paved square in the city centre would go a long way to filling a gap in our events venue portfolio. The opportunity to witness live performances, exhibitions and film features along with live music where the weather can not do its worst and create underfoot conditions that only wellies can deal with would be more than welcome.

I hope that planning permission will be granted and that the vibrant, colourful square envisaged will materialise and foster the much-needed activity that it is crying out for.

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