Plans to demolish Pleasance venue

The Pleasance Dome could be demolished within two years, changing the landscape of the Edinburgh Fringe.

According to a report in today's Scotsman, the site – along with the vacant lot occupied by the BBC during the festival – is set for a massive revamp.

However, the disruption could be temporary, as it is rumoured that a new performing arts centre could be built in the Potterrow area as part of the plans.

The Pleasance has run programming at the Dome for the past 16 Fringes, and the building was used for performances before that. The Pleasance is running five spaces there this year, plus one as an overspill Gilded Balloon room.

Anthony Alderson, artistic director of the venue said he'd been made aware of the university's plans, telling the newspaper: 'We've been told work to remove the existing building is likely to start within the next four years, but we've also been told there should be space for us to go into.'

For the rest of the year, the Pleasance Dome is known as the Potterrow Student Centre and hosts entertainment and support services including the university's Chaplaincy and student union offices office The venue recently underwent a. £480,000 refurbishment of the domed courtyard.

The Scotsman also says that the BBC site will be unavailable next year, and that the hunt is now on for an alternative location.

The university is also planning a revamp of the Pleasance Coutrtyard site, with better soundproofing of the Cabaret Bar and an improved foyer for the theatre (Pleasance One) to start after next year's Fringe.

Edinburgh University has not yet responded to Chortle's request for comment.

Published: 11 Aug 2015