A MAJOR new music venue in the heart of Edinburgh is set to open later this year after a £1 million revamp.
The 1500-capacity Picture House venue is being created in the former Gig premises on Lothian Road by new owners Mama Group.
The revamp has seen the interior stripped right back its original 1920s stonework, when the venue was the famous Caley ci
nema.
And the new owners – who are behind famous London venues such as the Hammersmith Apollo and The Borderline – promised a big-name Scottish act would perform at the venue's opening night show in September.
Workmen are currently ripping out the DJ booths, disco lights and swirling carpets that were all fitted during the building's most recent incarnation as a nightclub.
As Century 2000 and Revolution, the club was one of the best known, and most notorious, nightspots in Edinburgh.
It was rebranded as Gig in 2005 but endured a troubled few years and eventually closed its doors in January last year.
The building has been empty ever since, and the ongoing refurbishment will see the building's interior returned almost completely to its original look.
A new stage, lighting and sound system are being installed, to ensure the venue can cater to the requirements of modern bands.
The aim is to revive the fortunes of the venue, which in the 70s and 80s played host to acts such as Pink Floyd, Queen, Genesis, AC/DC, New Order, and The Smiths.
London-based Mama Group, which also runs the Jazz Cafe and gay club G-A-Y, purchased the premises from Luminar for just over £3.5m earlier this year. The firm has said that it hopes to turn the Picture House into one of Edinburgh's best live music venues, putting it in direct competition with the Corn Exchange and the Queen's Hall.
Indie rockers Dirty Pretty Things are due to perform at The Picture House in October, as is New jersey blues guitarist Walter Trout, with US prog rocker Todd Rundgren lined up to perform in November.
And David Laing, group operations manager for Mama, insisted dozens of bands are eager to perform there.
"There has been such a need for a space this size in the centre of Edinburgh, and so we have found it has just been a case of letting promoters know that we are opening," he said.
Edinburgh City Council culture leader Deidre Brock added: "With a great location in a great city, I'm sure the venue will have the pulling power to bring in some top bands and the best performers for us all to enjoy."
The Picture House is set to open on September 13.
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www.mamagroup.co.uk/picturehouse