AMBITIOUS plans for Haddington Corn Exchange have moved a step closer to reality after the community took charge of the venue.

Discussions between Haddington Community Development Trust and East Lothian Council have been ongoing for more than 12 months in a bid to see the building on Court Street handed over to the community.

HCDT took charge last Monday and the group’s treasurer, Martin Hayman, told the Courier they had big plans for the venue.

“It’s now a community run building,” he said.

“It’s not community-owned but we have got a lease for 12 years.

“We have already started the first phase of refurbishment of the building.

“That is putting in curtains, a PA system and the rig above the stage to put lights up properly.

“Work started on all of that last Monday and has ceased while the Queen’s Baton comes through but it is due to be finished on Friday.” However, that is just the start of the ambitious plans.

Applications for further funding are already in place, which could lead to “much more substantial refurbishments”, with details expected in the coming weeks.

He said: “The first phase allows us to be a live music venue.

“The plan is to open it up to community cinema, theatre and comedy clubs, that sort of thing.” One of the first acts under the new management will be Bombskare, who are performing next Friday night (June 27).

Ten members of the band will take to the stage and will be supported by both Beckett and Victorian Trout Conspiracy.

Singer and guitarist Scott McCafferty was looking forward to a hometown gig.

He said: “We played the Corn Exchange in 2007, it’s a great space but the sound was terrible. “For the people of East Lothian it will mean a great deal to now have a proper venue on our doorstep, with a new improved sound quality and a decent capacity. “I can’t wait to play the gig and I’m looking forward to being able to watch bigger bands in my home town!

“East Lothian is local to a few of us, I’m in Haddington, Andy’s in Garvald, Mikey Pepper is in Prestonpans and Ali Wales in North Berwick, so we have a strong connection to here. “We’ve played a few of the festivals in East Lothian, the atmosphere at local gigs is fantastic, but it will be great to play in a real venue instead of a tent!” The gig will start at 7.15pm with tickets already on sale from Lamp House Music, Hilary’s Deli and www.elleeventsltd.co.uk Callum Maguire, of Lamp House Music, was looking forward to not just the gig but also helping to put East Lothian back on the musical map.

“There is a rich and vast Scottish music scene which, sadly, has not included East Lothian on the gig-circuit for many years and yet East Lothian people are desperate to see good quality bands playing in their local communities,” he said. “Lamp House Music want to bring that fantastic music into East Lothian, get us back on the gig circuit, and also provide a platform for the huge array of talented bands and local musicians living in East Lothian. “We’ve worked alongside the Haddington Community Development Trust to take this concept forward and we’re now very pleased to announce that Bombskare will begin what we hope to be a new chapter in live music in East Lothian.” On the back of that, Haddington’s very own Fish has also pencilled in his first date of an autumn tour at the Corn Exchange on August 23.

Mr Hayman stressed the plans for the building would not impact upon groups that already use the facility.

He added: “It’s still fine for badminton, table tennis, the lunch club – all of that staff will continue.

“We are just trying to make it used more often.”