Edinburgh’s Bongo Club will occupy the space below the Central Library from January 2013 after an agreement was reached between the City of Edinburgh Council and Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust.
A temporary licence has been granted to the arts organisation which will allow them to run a variety of live music and educational events for young people in the space.
The licence will run until June 2014 and be granted on a month to month basis after that – with the exception of when the Underbelly runs their festival programme.
- Convener of Culture and Leisure Richard Lewis
Councillor Richard Lewis, the city’s Culture and Leisure Convener, said: “Over the last few months the Council has worked closely with Out of the Blue to find a solution. Now we’re hoping that by working in partnership we can provide more creative opportunities for young people and attract a new audience to the Central Library.”
The move comes after the University of Edinburgh ended the lease on the Bongo Club’s current premises as the building was needed for university activities.
Rob Hoon, Out of the Blue Manager, said: “The Bongo Club is a much loved Edinburgh institution attracting thousands of people to an all year round programme of live music, clubs and other arts for both performance and practice. Thousands of people have supported the quest to find a home for The Bongo Club and we are delighted with the Council’s support to help make it happen.”
As part of the agreement they will improve the current condition of the building and will pay the Council 5% of their trading profit for 2013.
The licence is also subject to the Bongo Club obtaining listed building consent, planning permission for temporary occupation and a full alcohol licence.
A report will be presented to the Culture and Leisure Committee on Tuesday 23 October 2012 when councillors will be asked to note the granting of a temporary licence to the Bongo Club.
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