THE Fisherrow Centre is looking for new tenants after completing the final phase of its redevelopment.
THE Fisherrow Centre is looking for new tenants after completing the final phase of its redevelopment.
The work to turn the former school into a centre for community and local organisations has taken nearly a decade, but the centre is now looking for more permanent tenants to complete its vibrant village of residents.
Alan Hay, chairman of the Fisherrow Trust, said the centre needed just a couple more groups to bring it up to capacity as he gave the Courier a look around the refurbished building.
The trust took over a 99-year lease of the buildings from East Lothian Council in 2006 with the aim of turning them into a mixture of community and office space which could be used by voluntary groups and businesses.
The permanent tenants are non-profit organisations, while the mixture of sports halls, conference rooms and offices are available for short-term hire by everyone.
Mr Hay said: “Every room is different and we have something to suit any needs, so we have companies hire a space, for example, if they are interviewing people for jobs, or for conferences.
“We also have workshops which run at the centre and are always looking for people to take part, or organise those as well.” Among the successful workshops in the centre is a wood work group, which uses one of the former school’s original wood work classrooms to operate, complete with old tables and vices, as well as more modern equipment.
There are dance classes, exercise groups and areas, such as the hub, where people can simply relax and chat.
Fisherrow Community Nursery operates out of the centre, which has some tenants who have been there longer than the trust’s involvement.
Borders Scrap Store, a charity craft shop, has been operating in the centre for 20 years.
The company, which collects and sells a vast range of craft materials from wool to paint, cow hide and knitting needles, is non-profit and supports many of the groups who use the centre with affordable supplies.
Helen Greig, store assistant, said: “We are open to everybody for a membership fee and provide materials of all sorts.” Anyone can sign up to the Borders Scrap Store for £7 a year, with an initial signing on fee of £10, to access their cut price materials.
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