Leith Theatre’s future consolidated
Leith Theatre Trust secure 50 year lease on building
Leith Theatre Trust has announced a significant milestone in securing a viable future for the venue as it signs a 50-year lease with Edinburgh City Council to run the building.
Since being formed in 2004, the Trust has been operating under a succession of short-term leases. The security of a long-term lease should enable the Trust is plan for long-term development and, crucially, seek the investment required to transform the venue into a sustainable and vibrant cultural space.
The news comes just a day after the announcement that Leith Theatre remained on the Theatre Trust’s Theatres at Risk Register 2025. However, the Register notes that a long-term lease would: “support its fundraising plans and long-term ambitions for the much-needed capital refurbishment required to open permanently as a full-time cultural venue.”
The Theatre Trust notes: “Leith Theatre Trust is now investment-ready and is exploring funding options that will enable it to make the improvements needed to transform the building.”
Announcing the new lease, the LTT said: “The significant long term lease agreement marks a turning point for Leith Theatre, delivered 17 months after the Trust received committee approval at City of Edinburgh Council’s Finance and Resource Committee in September 2023.
“This has been achieved after working closely with council officers and legal teams, in parallel with investigative works to conduct due diligence in relation to building health.”
Boost
The venue received a welcome boost recently when it was announced that it had secured the much anticipated Edinburgh dates of the new musical adaptation of the cult Edinburgh-based move, Restless Natives, opening in Perth this April and arriving at Leith Theatre with a run from Sat 7 to Sun 22 June (tickets on sale “soon”).
The brand-new stage version of the classic Scottish film will kick off a three-month summer programme of theatre, music and film co-commissioned by Restless Natives‘ producers, Andy Paterson and Wild Yak Productions, and the Leith Theatre Trust team.

A still from Restless Natives, partially shot and set in Leith, which is returning as a musical in June this year.
Restless Natives producer Andy Paterson said he is thrilled to see the musical leading the summer programming for the venue: “We are so inspired by the Trust’s vision for this incredible building. Our memories of shooting key scenes from the film just a few hundred yards away on the Western Harbour make this new partnership all the more special.
“We can’t wait to bring the Clown and the Wolfman back to their actual and spiritual home in Edinburgh.”
Opened in 1932, bombed in 1941 – remaining closed for 20 years – and mothballed in the 1980s, Leith Theatre has often been overlooked in its lifetime. However it was saved from the risk of private redevelopment by a group of local campaigners in 2004, with key development since including hosting two memorable versions of Hidden Door and being a pop-up venue for the EIF.
Lynn Morrison, Chief Executive of Leith Theatre, said: “I feel so proud to play a part in safeguarding such a unique and incredible heritage asset, so many of which are now commonly under threat.
“Saving this particular building has been a strong local response to that threat. The lease now gives us the stability to develop and steer this project towards refurbishment and sustainability as a key piece of cultural infrastructure in the city.
“I believe this space can be transformational for Leith and I am excited to plan for its long-term future.”
Bob Last, Chair of Leith Theatre, said: “In celebrating this moment not only are we standing on the shoulders of the original architects whose vision I have ever greater respect for, but also all the skilled labour that went in to every detail of its construction, everyone who has enjoyed events at the theatre for more than 90 years giving the building meaning and, crucially, previous members of the Trust and all those who have spoken out about the building over the years.
“Leith Theatre will now be an important part of Leith and Edinburgh’s future cultural and community landscape.”
Links
For more information about Leith Theatre visit www.leiththeatre.co.uk
Follow @leiththeatre on Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram and Threads
To support Leith Theatre fundraising www.justgiving.com/leiththeatretrust
ENDS