Thursday March 12th 2026
Bathgate West Nursery school is set to become a new home for the three main bands in the town and a new cultural and music hub for the community.
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville
A former West Lothian nursery school will become a community music hub as part of an ambitious community asset transfer.
The building will also become a permanent home for three bands that have carried the Bathgate name to success at home and abroad.
West Lothian Council’s Asset Transfer Committee approved the plan by Bathgate Band to take on a community lease of the old school.
It is the start of the four year programme to transform the former Bathgate West Nursery into Bathgate Music Hub.
In a report to the council officers described the proposals put forward by Bathgate Band SCIO (BBS) charity.
“BBS considers that the property offers an opportunity for the creation of a ‘music hub’ which they describe as being “a community-led initiative to secure a permanent, purpose-built space in Bathgate, delivering measurable benefits in education, well-being, inclusion, and civic pride”.
BBS envisages the hub would provide affordable, high-quality rehearsal and performance facilities for local ensembles, performing arts groups and voluntary organisations, removing barriers to participation and strengthening Bathgate’s identity as a vibrant centre for creativity.”
Under BBS’s proposals, the Bathgate Music Hub would be a shared resource, designed and initially governed by BBS, working in collaboration with a range of music organisations, including Bathgate Foundry Band, Bathgate Youth Band, Bathgate Buzzers, Bathgate Orchestra, Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band, Bathgate Sings & the Scottish Brass Band Association.
In its presentation Bathgate Band said: “For more than a decade Bathgate Band and partners have relied on short-term leases, often outside Bathgate, creating a disconnect between identity and delivery. Temporary venues lack acoustic quality, safeguarding features, storage, and scheduling flexibility.
“Every pound spent on short-term accommodation is a pound diverted from youth development and community engagement. A permanent hub is essential to protect and grow opportunities for local people.”
Derek Brown from the band said: “Bathgate music hub is not just a building. It is a strategic investment in Bathgate’s future. It brings homes three ensembles that proudly carry Bathgate’s name and creates a space for everyone.”
One objector addressed the meeting. Clare Satha had offered to buy the building to convert to a family home and establish her yoga business in the playground area of the former school.
She argued that the Bathgate Band plans only had offers of support from others rather than signed commitments of tenancy. She claimed the potential costs of the project and proposed income had not been thought through.
Councillors on the committee backed the transfer to the Band. Alison Adamson told the meeting that the two year community benefit lease would allow the band to develop a hub which would work with and for the community.
She told the meeting: “Bands work like an enlarged family. They often have different generations involved. What is very strong is their sense of community.”
“You have a lot of work ahead of you… we have high hopes and hopefully we’ll have a whole new load of bands to come out of the hub.”
Tweet Share on Facebook
