Pleasance venue faces demolition

Popular Edinburgh Fringe venue the Pleasance Dome could be demolished within the next two years, according to reports.

The venue, also known as Edinburgh University’s Potterwow Student Centre, has hosted Fringe performances for the past 16 festivals.

Operated by The Pleasance Theatre Trust, which is managing five performances spaces within the venue this year, the venue is set for a huge revamp in the coming years.

The Pleasance Dome is currently hosting shows by Aisling Bea, James Acaster, Lee Nelson, Rob Beckett, and last year’s Edinburgh Fringe Best Newcomer winner Alex Edelman.

The vacant adjacent lot, occupied by the BBC during the festival, is also marked for elimination, and will not be available for use in 2016.

The Fringe may gain a new space under the plans however, as rumours are circulating that a new performing arts centre could be built in the area to replace the Dome.

The Dome’s artistic director Anthony Alderson told The Scotsman: “We’ve been told work to remove the existing building is likely to start within the next four years, but we’ve also been told there should be space for us to go into.”

The university recently spent £480,000 refurbishing the Dome, and are now planning a revamp of the Pleasance Courtyard, including improved soundproofing and a new theatre foyer to start next autumn.