A historic theatre could be in line for a potential multi-million pounds funding award following an innovative partnership with Architecture students.

Leith Theatre in Edinburgh has been awarded an initial grant of £247,947 to advance its capital refurbishment plans in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Trustees are now aiming to secure the full £4.5M needed to help restore the iconic building, which fell into disrepair decades after being gifted to the people of the port district.

Lifeline funding

Following last month’s announcement, the Trust has recognised a pioneering collaboration with the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow as part of its successful bid for the lifeline funding.

The partnership began when Strathclyde’s Architecture department approached the Trust to become one of its’ ‘real-world’ charity case studies.

Fourth-year students designed plans to breathe new life into and redesign and revitalise the theatre, providing a unique opportunity for the Trust to engage directly with students and their tutors, who are all practicing architects.

Ambitious plans

The collaboration – part of the University’s ‘To Care’ initiative where students predict a future for civic buildings or community buildings – meant that the Trust was presented with a series of ambitious plans to reimagine and restore the building ahead of its own architectural tendering process.

The Trust now hopes this ‘incredible journey’ will allow it to reclaim its status as a cultural cornerstone of Edinburgh’s arts scene, and Lynn Morrison, Chief Executive of Leith Theatre Trust said:

Our collaboration with the University of Strathclyde has been an incredible journey, opening new doors for Leith Theatre to explore not only its future but also its heritage.

“The students' fresh perspectives have strengthened our approach and inspired us to consider new possibilities as we prepare for future capital works. The insights and connections we've gained have enriched our projects while creating ambitious new directions as we plan for our next chapter. This partnership has been invaluable, and its impact is priceless.”

After opening its doors in 1932, bomb damage during World War II led to a 20-year closure of the theatre, but it was later revived as a key venue for the Edinburgh International Festival between 1961 and 1988.  In the 1970s, it became a hotspot for live music, welcoming legendary artists such as AC/DC, Kraftwerk, and Thin Lizzy.

Financial difficulties led to its closure in the late 1980s, and it remained largely dormant for almost the next three decades. In 2016, after extensive community campaigning, the Leith Theatre Trust was formed to save and restore the venue.

Will Gunn from the University of Strathclyde, Lead for the Fourth-Year course, and a Strathclyde alumnus, said: “At Strathclyde we are committed to our partnership work with charities, and this a fantastic example of what can be achieved.

We’re so proud of our talented students, who came up with fresh and exciting ways to share the Leith Theatre story. As well as showcasing the venue’s rich heritage, they engaged with a new audience passionate about architecture and the future possibilities of historic buildings.

“They offered bold ideas of how the venue can evolve while staying true to its roots. Their designs pushed the Trust to think differently about how the space could be reinterpreted, re-invented and enhanced to better serve the community.

“The students gained invaluable experience, and the Trust was able to gain access to a process which is not typically affordable to a charity at this stage of its business journey.”

Visionary project

One of last year’s project participants, Struan Morrison, was nominated for the Architect Journal Undergraduate Award for his Leith Central Art visionary project, which re-imagines art as a catalyst for social interaction.

He says that the partnership with the Trust provided invaluable practical experience and added: "Collaborating with the Leith Theatre Group as a live client challenged me to balance real ambitions with practical constraints.

“Their deep cultural roots in Leith inspired me to design a project that not only met their needs but also benefited the wider community. The process was both demanding and rewarding, culminating in a proposal with real-world impact and transformative potential."

Bright future

Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, Leith Theatre Trust’s plans for the future will be developed with the community ensuring this wonderful theatre has a bright future as a lively venue and as a place for local people to experience and be involved in the arts, culture and creativity.”

Professor Tim Sharpe, Head of the Department of Architecture said: “The University has a mission to be a ‘Place of Useful Learning’ and this project demonstrates that value, both to the students through engagement in real-world challenges informing their learning, but also delivering significant benefits to society and external organisations.”