AS it nears its third century of existence, the future of Edinburgh’s historic Queen’s Hall as a concert venue looks to have been secured for the next 50 years.
A £650,000 grant for improvements has been awarded to the building, culture secretary Fiona Hyslop announced yesterday.
The Scottish Government will provide £390,000 over two years with Historic Environment Scotland contributing £260,000 as part of the £3 million refurbishment project which will be completed by the 200th anniversary of the building in 2023.
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra recently announced that it was seeking to build a new £40m headquarters and concert hall in the New Town, but the orchestra will continue to use the Queen’s Hall for the foreseeable future.
Masonry, windows, doors and the roof will be renovated at the 194 year-old Georgian building with the initial stages of work due to start later this year and be completed for the 40th anniversary of first incarnation as a concert hall in 2019. It was on July 6, 1979, that the Queen opened the Queen’s Hall — the plaque commemorating the event slipped off its easel but nothing was damaged.
During a visit to the venue Hyslop said: “I am delighted to announce the £650,000 grant for building improvements to the Queen’s Hall, a much-loved part of Edinburgh’s performance history. It is a firm favourite with performers and audiences throughout the year including Edinburgh’s International, Fringe and Jazz and Blues festivals. We have increased capital funding for Historic Environment Scotland’s work to preserve, promote and protect our historic buildings, and enabled them to maintain their commitment to provide £14.5m for external projects such as Historic Environment Repair Grants. We have also maintained funding for our five national performing companies and are continuing to invest in cultural infrastructure projects.”
Nigel Griffiths, Queen’s Hall chair said: “We are delighted with this Scottish Government and Historic Environment Scotland vote of confidence in the future of the Queen’s Hall.
He added: “We look forward to completing these important heritage works, which pave the way to an even brighter future and the celebration in 2019.”
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