Usher Hall News

• Usher Hall Refurbishment - 26 October 06

  In order to deliver the refurbished Usher Hall on time, in December 2008, it has been decided by Council to be carry out in an 86-week construction period from April 2007. Near full capacity of the Usher Hall would be maintained in the first five months, allowing the 2007 Edinburgh International Festival to go ahead as normal. The Hall would then close and re-open for Festival 2008. Work will resume after the 2008 Festival and the Hall would be open for business while the final work packages are completed to the new wing. The project would be completed by December 2008.

• Work has begun - 11 July 06

  Work has begun

  Contractors have begun preliminary underground infrastructure improvements around the Usher Hall in advance of the planned building work for Phase II of the redevelopment of the Hall. These involve re-routing underground utilities, including telecommunication cables and sewer lines. Naturally during this time there will be some disruption to the local area, but we will do our best to keep this to a minimum, while maintaining access for all Usher Hall visitors.

  The £12 million planned refurbishment for the Usher Hall includes the upgrading of the backstage areas for performers, a dedicated education space and a glass wing on Grindlay Street, housing a new box office area, café bar and office accommodation.

  The underground utility works will be in progress for several months, but will be suspended entirely during the Festival. Road surfaces will also be completely reinstated during the Festival period.

  Traffic Diversions During these works, temporary traffic diversions have been put in place requiring changes to traffic and parking on Grindlay and Cambridge Streets. These will be lifted during the 2006 Festival and after the completion of the utility works, although safety barriers may be required at some manholes to allow final connections to be made. More specifically:

  Grindlay Street: - will become two-way - will be closed to through traffic from the junction with Cornwall Street to Cambridge Street - the Disabled, and Pay & Display parking spaces by the Usher Hall will be closed. The Disabled parking bays will be relocated further along Grindlay Street beyond its junction with Cornwall Street - there are no residents' parking bays in the affected section of Grindlay Street - loading and unloading for businesses adjacent to the Usher Hall will be maintained - access will be maintained as much as possible dependent on the works.

  Cambridge Street: - will become two-way - will be closed to through traffic to Grindlay Street - the Pay & Display parking spaces will be closed - four residents’ parking bays will be relocated to Castle Terrace - access will be maintained as much as possible dependent on the works.

  Pedestrian footpaths will remain open throughout the utility works providing access to local businesses, residences and the theatre and concert venues.

• Work is starting! - 04 January 06

  This month (January 06) you will see the first signs of work to our new wing. The site is being prepared by diverting the many different services currently located in the pavement area on Grindlay Street where the wing will be constructed. ...read more