TALKS are under way in a bid to establish an arts hub in Musselburgh.

Vibrant Musselburgh, a voluntary group which seeks to promote creativity in the town, is looking into the plan, which would mean finding and funding a permanent venue along the lines of the Fire Station Creative community project in Dunfermline.

Jane Fairnie, chairwoman of Vibrant Musselburgh, stressed that it was “early days” but the possibility of developing the arts hub as a social enterprise venture was on the group’s agenda in what would be “an exciting year ahead”.

Fire Station Creative was opened by artist John Byrne in July 2015. The building was erected in 1934 and housed the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for many years until their move to new premises in 2010.

It lay empty for several years but, thanks to a group of local business people and artists and the support of Fife Council, Creative Scotland, The Roberston Trust, Fife Environment Trust, Barcaple Foundation, Community Union and Educational Institute of Scotland, the facility is now open to the public and available for all things creative.

Mrs Fairnie said: “Social enterprise is something we are really interested in because it is that whole not-for-profit thing and giving something back to the community.

“One of our group went to Fire Station Creative and came back absolutely buzzing about it. They have an old fire station which has studio, performance and gallery space as well as workshop space for artists. It has a cafe which at night time is a bar and it is almost entirely run on profits from the cafe and bar.”

She said Vibrant Musselburgh would like to see a similar arts venue in the Honest Toun but added: “At the moment we don’t have any premises in mind. We could go into partnership with another organisation and, of course, would have to find funding. We do have the enthusiasm and ideas.

“If we can get together a proposal and do a feasibility study then we can start looking for funding and maybe part of that funding would be do do up an old building, for example, an old church. Musselburgh has such a good community spirit.”

Vibrant Musselburgh is planning to work towards a “bigger and bolder” arts festive in May. Other activities include developing its website, holding a fundraising concert on March 9 at the Ravelston House Hotel and continuing to stage its ongoing Vibrant Arts exhibition in the Fisherrow Centre.

The centre is also the venue for an arts cafe on the last Sunday of each month, 2-5pm, which provides an open floor for entertainment such as singers, musicians, poets, storytellers and dancers.

Other office-bearers elected at the group’s annual general meeting were: vice-chairperson, Stephen Barnaby; secretary, Charlene Barnett; and treasurer, Keith Simpson.

Volunteers are needed to distribute posters and flyers, help set up exhibitions, and raise funds and sponsorship.

Anyone who can help out can email vibrantmusselburgh@gmail.com or phone 07966 722604.