After a turbulent year that rocked Edinburgh’s arts and culture community, 2025 is already looking up for both the Summerhall building and the Summerhall Arts charity which programmes performances in it. 

On the former, Robert McDowell, director of Summerhall Management Ltd, confirmed this week that HMRC’s winding up petition for the building over unpaid corporation tax has been withdrawn. In a statement released on the Summerhall website, McDowell wrote, ‘I can confirm that the petition to wind up the company over alleged unpaid corporation tax was withdrawn in the run up to the Christmas break. This brings an end to this action against Summerhall Management, and there will be no further hearings about this matter. Access to Summerhall Management’s bank accounts was restored in late December – including all box office money belonging to artists – which has meant that we were able to complete all Fringe and other box office payouts before Christmas. 

‘Whilst we appreciate that these payments were late, we were able to complete the payout process quickly, as soon as we were able. I would like to thank all those that were affected for their patience.’

The announcement has led to a flurry of activity from Summerhall Arts, which is now in a position to confirm many of its plans for 2025. After news last year that the Summerhall building was set to be sold by the owners of the building (Isle of Man-based Oesselmann Estates Limited), Summerhall Arts announced that it was looking to take on the lease with an ambition to ensure the consistent provision of a year-round arts programme in the former vet school. Now, the organisation has confirmed that it will take on the additional responsibility of delivering a programme of new writing, performance and visual arts during the Edinburgh Fringe.

Debbie Christie, Summerhall Arts board member, said, ‘We are delighted to announce that Summerhall Arts will be delivering a Fringe festival programme at Summerhall for 2025 and beyond. 

‘Summerhall Arts is committed to building on the incredible work that has been curated and delivered by the team so far and will utilise the talent and skills of the programmers and leadership team that have been doing such an exemplary job at working with and supporting the artists over the last few years. Led by Sam Gough who returned to Edinburgh in 2023 to establish and develop Summerhall Arts, who has resigned from Summerhall Management to dedicate his entire time to the charity, with programmers Tom Forster and Samantha Chapman, Summerhall Arts are excited about the future and being responsible for the arts provision in this iconic venue.’

Gough said, ‘I am delighted that we are able to announce the first part of what is coming next. We have planned a diverse programme of work throughout the entire year which will go a long way to support and develop the sector year-round. But the first announcement is that we are going to deliver a fringe programme, which is a thrilling opportunity to push boundaries and provide a platform for both emerging and established artists. 

‘Summerhall Arts’ vision is simple: to celebrate art that speaks to the moment and invites new perspectives, all while fostering strong relationships with artists and audiences alike.

‘With our ongoing efforts to secure multi-year funding, we are optimistic this will strengthen our ability to support all of the artists of the future, keeping Scotland at the very forefront of the sector.’

Positive news, then, and hopefully a sign of better things to come from a Scottish art scene which weathered a litany of dramas in 2024.