Popular Leith recording studio set to close ahead of demolition plans

Alan Moffat - owner of Leith Recording Company

Alan Moffat is the owner of Leith Recording Company and currently operates out of the first floor of the Leith Walk ‘new shops’ which developers Drum Property Group are proposing to demolish as part of a £50 million multi-use facility.

He has revealed his last day working at the site where he began his business almost two years ago will be on October 1, with his current lease set to expire three days later.

Mr Moffat said it is proving impossible to find an affordable new home due to the Capital’s soaring rent prices and could be forced to relocate down the M8 to Glasgow in order to save his livelihood.

He added: “The search for a new affordable premise in Leith has been and continues to be extremely difficult to the point I have to consider moving further afield. It would have been hard to imagine six months ago but my native Glasgow is looking more and more attractive as an affordable way to continue to produce music.

“If I could have stayed a while longer I could have saved the money I needed to kit out a new location.

“I have around £150,000 worth of equipment to move and I can’t operate it from home. It is likely to cost around £10,000-£15,000 to kit a new place up with soundproof materials and getting it how I need it.

“I have met some great people and it should not have to end like this. I’m just so annoyed at the ridiculous position I’m facing.”

Businesses are gradually moving out of the historic site due to the expiration of their leases as Drum Property Group plans to build a mixed-use scheme of 54 affordable houses, 523-bed student accommodation, a 50-bedroom hotel and retail space including a new live music venue.

Campaigners have slammed Drum’s decision to board up the vacant units which will remain in place until the expiration of Leith Depot’s lease in October 2019.

Glaswegian Alan has been living in Leith for the past 11 years and now considers it his home. He has helped around 60 acts during his time to record their music and does not want to leave a part of Scotland filled with “phenomenal” talent.

He said: “I will be really sad when I close the doors for the last time. But I will also be angry at the thought that the studio is just going to be lying there empty for at least another year. I couldn’t think of a better place to set up my business and I will be devastated to leave. I would like to thank every artist, band, company and organisation that has supported us over the last two years.”

Drum has confirmed it is not considering any temporary lets after submitting a planning application to the city council to redevelop the whole site.

A spokesman said: “The industrial site which sits immediately behind the shop frontages will be empty by the end of August, and the offices above will be empty by the end of September. We would, however, be delighted to consider any suggestions from community groups for public art projects along the shop front hoardings.”