We are pleased to announce that we have been offered a 10-year lease on an office space in Lauriston Place from The City of Edinburgh Council.

In keeping with our ethos of bringing empty buildings back to life, we are taking over a space which has been unused since 2021 and needs a bit of Hidden Door love. We will be restoring and utilising this space to be a creative hub for our team and the many creatives we work with, giving us a base to plan our 2024 festival and all subsequent festivals until at least 2033!

Hidden Door Festival Director Hazel Johnson said:

“This is a hugely exciting and important step for Hidden Door – a hub from which to plan our activity and festivals will enable us work more closely with Edinburgh’s creative communities, all year round.

“As a volunteer-led charity, this is a huge milestone – and the timing couldn’t be better, as we both celebrate 10 years of Hidden Door festivals, and look to the future. We can’t wait to get in and get cracking!”

Commenting on the signing Finance and Resources Convener, Councillor Mandy Watt, said:

“This is a building which needs a lot of work so it hasn’t been occupied for the last few years. I’m delighted that Hidden Door have agreed to take it on and make it their own.

“Known for rejuvenating spaces into vibrant venues, I’ve no doubt they will create an inviting creative hub here. The venue is situated just a short stroll away from the art college and other fantastic venues like the Cameo and the Usher Hall, so the opportunities for collaboration are countless.

“We’re pleased to support a well-loved community arts charity in this way. The permanent location throughout the term of this lease should provide them with greater security and stability and a more accessible building everyone can enjoy”.

The new HQ is another vital step towards securing the future of Hidden Door as a creative force in the city. We have also launched a new Friends of Hidden Door scheme – for just £4 a month you can help us open more spaces and support even more artists and creatives.