Wednesday August 20th 2025
Brunton Hall, Musselburgh
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
Cash strapped East Lothian Council is set to seek potential partners to fund the redevelopment of the Brunton Theatre with the offer of using part of it as a commercial venture to recoup the costs.
A new report on the future of the theatre building says the council does not have the cash to rebuild it on its own and needs to find an ‘alternative funding model’.
And it asks elected members to approve the launch of a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to potential contractors to give them an idea of market reaction.
It says the PIN would set out the council’s proposals for the redevelopment of the site to include theatre and performance space, adding the “remaining part of the site can be redeveloped commercially to offset the cost of providing a theatre and performance space, subject to obtaining necessary consents.”
The local authority has been consulting on the future of the Brunton Hall, in Musselburgh, since formally closing its doors last October.
The theatre was initially shut over two years ago after the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the building but some offices remained in use and the debate over its future continued for several months.
At the time of its closure, it was estimated the cost of refurbishment and RAAC remediation was £42.912 million with the cost to demolish and build a new facility estimated to be £50.742 million.
A new report to councillors next week reveals there is overwhelming support for retaining an arts venue in Musselburgh with 98.2% of people who responded to an online consultation backing it and an estimated 5,500 people signing a petition to save it.
It also reveals Historic Environment Scotland have launched a consultation on whether the building should be listed as a building of special architectural or historic interest.
It adds: “There is strong public support for the continued provision of the arts in Musselburgh. However, repairing the existing Brunton Hall is financially unviable.
“A replacement is necessary, but the council’s capital plan is fully committed to statutory obligations and growth-related pressures. Delivering a new facility will require an alternative funding model, potentially involving commercial finance, government support, grant funding, or a combination thereof.”
PINs are issued via Public Contracts Scotland and are public notices used to signal to the wider market that the buyer has a specific upcoming commercial need that will require support from one or more suppliers.
The report urges councillors to support issuing the PIN and setting up a project team to oversee the work going forward.
It says: “Given the scale of this project, it will be necessary to set up a project development team. The project team will consist of professional officers from a range of council services and will be chaired by the Head of Infrastructure. It will oversee further development of the replacement theatre and will provide governance to the project. It will report to the council’s management team on a regular basis. It will also keep members informed on a regular basis.”
The report will be discussed at a full meeting of the council next week.
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