Edinburgh will soon have its first ever large indoor concert arena, after plans were approved today to build a new 8,500 capacity venue at Edinburgh Park.
AEG Europe, who operate 325 venues across the world and ran with Taylor Swift concerts at Murrayfield Stadium last weekend, hopes to open the new £80 million arena opposite the Edinburgh Park Train Station and Tram Stop in 2027.
It will cover 18,500 square metres across three levels and attract an estimated 700,000 visitors per year, AEG Europe said.
The company hopes to host 150 shows a year including concerts, comedy shows, boxing, and festival shows by year three at the three-level Edinburgh Park Arena, with a full capacity of 8,500 when standing is in place, but 6,450 when all seated, and with approximately 18,500 m2 floorspace.
Councillors scrutinised the arena proposal at a meeting of the City of Edinburgh Council’s development management sub-committee meeting on Wednesday 12th June.
Concerns were raised about access to the site for concert goers and locals when events are held, particularly for people with mobility issues, with councillors noting that he site is “quite tight”.
AEG Europe’s representatives at the meeting obviously said enough to address these concerns, with the application approved by unanimous decision, with conditions added about lighting and CCTV.
Speaking at today’s meeting, Alistair Wood, executive vice president of AEG Europe said: “We had looked at alternative sites at Leith, Meadowbank, and the airport but this site is perfect”.
He said it would fill a “massive gap in the market” for a major arena in the city.
Mr Wood added: “Having worked closely with City of Edinburgh Council, we strongly believe the arena will deliver huge benefits to the city throughout every stage of the building’s life cycle from development to completion, for years to come when we’re bringing the world’s best artists to the Scottish stage.”
Edinburgh is one of the UK’s largest cities not to have a major indoor entertainment venue.
The capital’s largest indoor music venue, the former Corn Exchange now known as the O2 Academy, has a capacity of about 3,000.
Council leader Cammy Day said the project was important to Edinburgh establishing itself as a "top destination for international acts".
He said: "Increasingly, the world’s biggest stars are choosing the capital.
"We’ve been crying out for a mid-size indoor arena, but we have to make sure the infrastructure is in place for that and it has to be the right site.
"This arena at Edinburgh Park offers the answer and the planning application received unanimous support from councillors."
Naming rights for the venue, known as the "Carlton Arena" during the planning stage, will be sold off to a sponsor prior to its opening.
Photo Credit: AEG Europe
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