The Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh is likely to be rebranded and given a “Wembley Way” link to a new tram stop as part of plans to capitalise on its growth as a destination for outdoor concerts.
The expansion will include hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes and shops created around a new boulevard to give visitors a better sense of arrival.
Managing director Mark Currie told The Herald how he intends to turn the 66-year-old site – which is best known for hosting Scotland’s biggest agricultural event every June – into a year-round culture and events “destination” over the next decade.
There have already been £25m worth of infrastructure improvements in recent years.
Paolo Nutini, Chappell Roan, Sam Fender, Catfish and The Bottlemen, Ocean Colour Scene and The View have all performed at the 30,000 capacity arena in recent years after concert promoters DF Concerts relocated their Summer Sessions concerts from Princes Gardens.
Biffy Clyro, The Cure and Florence and The Machine are among the acts due to appear at Ingliston this August.
The Reeling traditional music festival, which has been staged on the outskirts of Glasgow in recent years, will be relocating to Ingliston and will be part of the Royal Highland Show line-up in June.
Large-scale theatre productions and “immersive” exhibitions have been staged at the venue, including the Monet and Van Gogh events.
The wider vicinity is earmarked for housing and business expansion that will include 20,000 homes.
Mr Currie said: “We are no longer going to be out on the edge of the city. We are going to be surrounded by a whole new city. That is a huge opportunity for us.”
The centre is owned by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, which is behind the annual Royal Highland Show.
But he admitted the centre was regularly asked if it was based in the Highlands.
“We are coping with it at the moment, but at some point we are going to be looking at a rebrand. I would be very surprised if we are still called the Royal Highland Centre in three years’ time.
“In 10-15 years’ time, we will still be the home of the Royal Highland Show. There is no doubt about that. But we need to be an arts, culture, events and leisure destination for Edinburgh that you would come to for a night out.”
A new indoor 8,500-capacity indoor arena is planned for Edinburgh Park, about two miles from the showground.
Entertainment giant AEG is behind the £80m project close to Edinburgh Park rail station.
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