‘Meanwhile… in Leith’ Project

‘Meanwhile… in Leith: reclaimed space for the common good‘

Since April 2018 Out of the Blue have been working with The City of Edinburgh Council (CEC), Hub South East Scotland, Civic Soup and Reiach & Hall Architects, alongside the people of Leith to plan uses to turn the disused former Tram Depot site at 165A Leith Walk into a useful space for the community.

The space consists of six upcycled shipping containers housing artists’ studios, a skate ramp (by Leith DIY), a community garden and a number of wooden market stalls. The site is used by a variety of individuals and groups with a focus on gardening, play and arts and education.

We aim to put community collaboration at the centre of developing plans for the space beyond its meanwhile use. Out of the Blue and the local community are intent on influencing the City of Edinburgh Council’s plans for the future transformation of the site into housing and community amenities (Estimated as developing from 2021 onwards).

What we have so far

The listed building, at 165A Leith Walk has been upgraded for use by the NHS the City of Edinburgh Council and Capital City Partnership. Behind it is a piece of land, the size of 2/3 of a football pitch which housed the old tram depot shed.

After the old tram depot was demolished, 6 (20 foot by 8 foot) shipping containers were brought into the site and were upcycled and turned into artists’ studios.

The back of the site is to be used as storage for the future extension of the tram network along Leith Walk.

What’s On calendar

Leith Chooses 2018 acknowledgement

Thank you for voting for Out of the Blue to create ‘Meanwhile at Persevere Square’. We were successful and your support is very much appreciated. This project is a new opportunity for the people of Leith to come together to regenerate a piece of wasteland and build a bustling new hub for the community.

This exciting new hub now consists of upcycled shipping containers housing artists’ studios, as well as a number of wooden market stalls to be re-configured by local groups. The community are focusing on activity around Gardening and Growing, Food and Drink, Sports Exercise and Play, Arts and Education, and Social and Small Business Enterprise.

The funding from Leith Chooses has helped establish the infrastructure to develop our plans. Thank you!