Summerhall appeals for public’s help to save popular arts venue

A popular fixture of Edinburgh’s arts scene has asked for public support to save its future as a live events venue.

Like hundreds of venues across Scotland’s capital, Summerhall was forced to close temporarily in March.

But with the 2020 Edinburgh Fringe cancelled, organisers warned that “there is a very real possibility that we will not be able to reopen.”

Now the venue has started a crowdfunding effort to raise £15,000.

In a series of posts on Twitter, Summerhall staff told followers: “We're crowdfunding to save Summerhall, and we need your help.

“As a privately owned Arts Venue with no public funding, Covid-19 has effectively reduced our main year-round sources of income to zero.

“We closed our doors on 19th March,” they wrote.

Now the venue has started a crowdfunding effort to keep raise £15,000. | Other 3rd Party

“Without your support, there is a very real possibility that we will not be able to reopen.

“Please help us to keep our doors open. For the performers we support, the staff who rely on us, and the people of Edinburgh (and far beyond) who attend our shows.

“Any amount you can spare (even the cost of a gig ticket or a pint in the Royal Dick) will be a huge help.

“This is an unprecedented time, and independent venues need your support.

“Please help, if you can,” the message finished.

Commenting on the appeal, General Manager Rowan Campbell said: "We are absolutely blown away by the generosity seen in less than 24 hours.

“We are more than two thirds away from our initial target. Pledges have ranged from £1 to £100 and everything in between, please know that every single penny goes towards helping us reopening the doors to the public as soon as is safe to do so.

"Summerhall is a large, complex building with considerable fixed costs which remain the same whether we are open or closed. So while the building itself is not at risk of closure and we fully intend to reopen the doors to our pub and café as soon as safe to do so, it is the creative programme that sits within Summerhall that is at risk .

“Without your support, our ability to support artist development and present a year round creative programme of events, gigs, performance and exhibitions is in danger.

"This crowdfunder is part of a national initiative launched by the Music Venue Trust to prevent the closure of 100s of independent music venues."

Donations to Summerhall can be made here.

A Message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Joy Yates

Editorial Director