Triumph for residents hoping to buy historic city building

A bid by residents in Edinburgh, to set up a company that can take the threatened Stead’s Place building into community ownership has been approved by Scottish ministers

After a successful campaign, activists as well as key stakeholders in the community have established a limited company called ‘Our Leith Walk’ to buy the sandstone building if it is put up for sale.

Themovecomesafterthe current owner of the building, Drum Property Group, had their plan to replace the building with student flats rejected by Edinburgh City Council last year.

Drum’s follow-up appeal was also thrown out by the Scottish Government in December last year.

Our Leith Walk was born from the grassroots campaign Save Leith Walk, and has now registered an interest in a Community’s Right to Buy the land at 106154 Leith Walk.

Anne Atkinson, a spokesperson for the campaigners, said: “It feels fantastic to have finally got this over the line because it’s taken a lot of time and effort from local people giving up their spare time to get us here.”

Some of the main aims are to re-open the 22 small retail units and 1,350 sq m office space within the vacant building. They also hope to retain, reuse and improve the existing buildings.

Local councillor Susan Rae said: “I really welcome the news that Our Leith Walk will now have the backing of Scottish Government for a community buy-out option at Stead’s Place. It’s an exciting development.”