Always on
This project successfully funded on 15th July 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Colinton Village Hub: From Vision to Reality
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Aim
Become part of the Colinton Village Hub story. A welcoming place to meet, connect and belong, with a community café and flexible spaces.
Our Story: From Connection to Construction
📢 UPDATE: JULY 24 2026
Construction of the Colinton Village Hub is well underway, transforming a much-loved local building into a vibrant community space. We are continuing to raise funds to help complete the project and bring this exciting new hub to life. Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far — and welcome to everyone joining us on the journey.
In addition to the support on this page, the project has been boosted by £20,000 in major offline donations sparked by our campaign launch. These were processed directly to minimise fees, so please keep in mind that our true progress is actually £20,000 further ahead than the totaliser shows!
This fundraising campaign remains fully open for ongoing support.
Colinton Village Enterprise - History
Colinton Village Enterprise was founded in 2019 with a simple mission: to bring people together. Since then, we’ve been the "hub without a home", coordinating COVID-19 support for hundreds of families, hosting the South West Edinburgh Tool Library serving around 750 borrowers, and running our biennial Art in the Park festival, which now attracts thousands.
We’ve proven the demand for community connection—now we're building a permanent home to host it. We are transforming 'The Shed', a long-underused historic building on the Water of Leith Walkway, into a fully accessible Community Hub. This isn't just a plan; construction is well advanced. Led by architect David Moore (MDA Studio) and Rollo Developments Ltd, we are on track to open in early 2027.
“The establishment of a new community hub will be an indispensable addition to the area, inspiring creativity, connection and participation in a community space that encourages social and commercial interaction.” — Dr. Scott Arthur, MP
"Given their excellent track record—from Art in the Park to Colinton in Bloom—I am confident they have the experience, vision, and leadership to make a success of this building." — Gordon MacDonald, MSP
The Final Piece of the Puzzle
Thanks to significant support and the generosity of our local and wider communities, construction is progressing apace, with a new first floor created, a new roof and the internal spaces beginning to take shape.
This isn't just about bricks and mortar; it’s about creating a vibrant community space for generations to come. The completed Hub will provide a range of facilities designed to bring people together, including:
- A Fully Fitted Café: The social heart of the building and the key to our long-term financial independence.
- Essential Accessibility: A passenger lift and high-spec toilets - features that ensure the Hub is truly open to everyone, regardless of mobility.
- Equipped Community Rooms: Flexible spaces ready for groups, creatives, and workshops from day one.
- A Base for Local Impact: Permanent workspaces for local charities and small enterprises.
A Sustainable Future
The Hub is designed to be a self-sufficient community asset. Our "social enterprise" model ensures the building serves Colinton for generations without relying on constant grant funding:
- The Café: We are creating a high-quality platform for a dedicated partner to operate a café, providing a warm welcome for the thousands of visitors who enjoy the Water of Leith and our local landmarks.
- Flexible Hire: We will provide versatile rooms for hire—including studios, meeting spaces, and class facilities—generating the revenue needed to keep our doors open.
Together, these income streams allow us to offer the building as a permanent, affordable home for local charities, creatives, and small businesses.
“Colinton lacks community halls and spaces that can be used for educational and mixed social events... With the success of the nearby Colinton Tunnel Mural, this part of the Water of Leith Walkway and Spylaw Park is very much a destination for visitors nowadays. Development of ‘The Shed’ will have a real impact…” — Tim Lawson, Chairman, Colinton Amenity Association
The Difference You’ll Make
By donating today, you are helping to build a more inclusive, vibrant community. Your support directly enables:
A Place to Belong: For an older resident living alone, this Hub could mean the difference between isolation and daily connection in a warm, year-round space.
A Creative Home: For a local artist or maker, it means finally having a dedicated studio to create, exhibit, and share their work with the world.
A Destination for All: For the thousands of visitors to the Water of Leith and the Tunnel Mural, it provides a welcoming heart that keeps our area a vibrant place to visit and enjoy.
Be Part of the Legacy
This project is the result of years of local ambition. We’ve chosen not to offer traditional rewards because we believe every penny should go directly into the building. Your "reward" is a lasting community asset.
Here is exactly what your support enables:
- £10 → Equips the shared community space used by 100+ people per week.
- £25 → Funds accessible facilities, ensuring the Hub is open to everyone, regardless of mobility.
- £50 → Brings a community room into use for local groups, from youth clubs to choir practice.
- £100+ → Supports the Café Setup—the engine room of the Hub.
By donating, you are securing a seat at the table for a lonely neighbour, a home for local enterprise, and a permanent heart for Colinton.
Donate today to help us cross the finish line for 2027.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made