Edinburgh Printmakers reveal plans for new Creative Industries Hub

As the project enters its final fundraising drive to secure the remaining £1 million needed to transform the iconic site, Edinburgh’s creative industries received welcome news of the aim to include a dedicated business incubator in the redevelopment plans.

Included as part of a successful regeneration bid it is anticipated the new hub will house an estimated 50 creative industry workers in total within 15 incubator units.

These professionals will be from related creative industries benefiting from access to world class facilities at the proposed Edinburgh Printmakers Centre of Excellence.

Graphic designers, jewellery makers, fashion and textile designers, ceramicists, website designers, architects and model makers are expected to benefit from a programme which facilitates access to design expertise, knowledge sharing and business support for creative practitioners at a variety of stages in their careers.

Speaking at the launch of the final fundraising drive CEO Sarah Price said: “Investment in this project can provide infrastructure resources which are fit for purpose for contemporary creative businesses to thrive. The Castle Mill Works and Edinburgh Printmakers would provide world class production facilities for practitioners, and each year expects to attract an estimated 30,000+ visitors to exhibitions and engage 4300 participants in interpretation and learning activities. Castle Mill Works is set to retain its place as hub for industry in Edinburgh. The birthplace of the wellington boot can become home for some of the most exciting creative industries in the UK. We’re delighted with how architects Page/Park have integrated the incubator plans into the development and the opportunity to make such a positive impact on both the local community and Edinburgh’s reputation as an international creative capital will help fuel the remaining fundraising drive.”

Councillor Richard Lewis, Convener of the City of Edinburgh Council’s Culture and Sport Committee, said: “The Council has been hugely supportive of the Printmakers’ plans for a Creative Industries Incubator. It has the potential totransform the Castle Mill Works and provide a real boost to the arts in Edinburgh.

“From helping people to discover and connect with their own creativity to providing an employability service specifically for the creative industries, their plans would see this derelict listed building turn into Fountainbridge’s cultural centre.

“We wish the Printmakers all the best with their fundraising drive for this exciting project.”

Thanks to recent awards of funds from Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (£1.93million) and second funding award from Garfield Weston Foundation (£100,000) theCastle Mill Works capital development project has raised 90 per cent of its £11million target.

The project has also been awarded funding by Heritage Lottery Fund, Creative Scotland, Historic Scotland, the Architectural Heritage Fund, Garfield Weston, Robertson Trust, PF Charitable Trust, Turtleton Charitable Trust, Dunard Fund, Binks Trust and other trusts and foundations as well as already attracting valuable individual and corporate donations.

In addition The City of Edinburgh Council has leased the Castle Mill Works in Fountainbridge to the Printmakers for 125 years at the cost of £1.

A public fundraising drive has been launched and by donating towards the campaign members of the public will have their name ‘immortalised’ in print within the new building. Supporters of the project can also can become Friends of Edinburgh Printmakers giving regular donations at a variety of levels in return for exclusive rewards and EP Circle Patrons giving large donations will have the opportunity to receive a limited edition print created specially by Edinburgh Printmakers Artist Patrons John Byrne, Callum Innes and Rachel Maclean.