The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is delighted to have awarded a Project Development Grant to Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT) to progress plans to convert the Category A-listed Custom House in Leith into a mixed-use community and creative hub with a digital museum. This was one of 4 awards made at the September Grants Panel, where projects across Scotland, England and Wales were offered funding totalling £48,265.
Leith Custom House is the oldest purpose-built custom house in Scotland and one of the most significant buildings in Leith. Designed in the neo-classical style by Robert Reid in 1810-12, with major alterations and additions by William Burn in 1825, its construction was associated with the expansion of Leith docks in the early-19th century. More recently, it was operated by the HMRC until the 1980s, then used as a store by the National Museum of Scotland until 2014. Amidst fears that the building would be sold to a private developer, a community campaign was launched to keep it in public ownership, ultimately resulting in acquisition by the City of Edinburgh Council using Common Good funds. The building is currently operated on a meanwhile use basis, serving as a home for SHBT, along with 12 creative studios, a popular café, and event hires, including weddings.
Image: A photo montage of an Open House event at Leith Custom House. Credit - Scottish Historic Buildings Trust.
AHF has been supporting SHBT to develop their plans for the building since 2016. Following a feasibility study, the Trust now plans to bring Leith Custom House back into full use as a multi-purpose Community and Creative Hub. The heart of the project will be a new digital museum with content displayed in core circulation areas using video walls, screens and projectors. In addition, the building will accommodate artist studios (including ‘in residence’ spaces), community space, and commercial lets (with retail and a café). The artists in residence will play a role in supporting the museum content and delivering outreach activities.
Chair of Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, Maggie Wright, said: “We are delighted to have the support of the Architectural Heritage Fund in developing our project for Leith Custom House. As one of Leith’s most significant historic buildings, the regeneration of Custom House is an opportunity to create a ‘town square for the twenty first century’. We have worked with the community to develop the vision for the future of the building and look forward to delivering on long-held local ambition for this important space.”
Alongside the architectural restoration, SHBT will also build local capacity to form a Community Trust, which will eventually take on responsibility for operating the museum.
This new Historic Environment Scotland-supported AHF development grant will fund further community engagement and testing to gain feedback on proposals. It will also contribute towards the development of designs and costings to RIBA stage 2 for the project, enabling the Trust to apply for further funding.