Colinton Village Hub

Aim

Help us raise £50,000 to finish the Colinton Village Hub: a new heart for our community and a perfect stop on the Water of Leith Walkway.

Our Story: From Connection to Construction

📢 UPDATE: £20,000 CLOSER!

A huge thank you to our initial backers!

In addition to the support on this page, the project has been boosted by £20,000 in major offline donations sparked by our 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!

— The Colinton Village Enterprise Trustees

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 just need the 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

While the £1.08 million Hub is more than two-thirds funded, we are entering the most critical stage: the internal fit-out. We aren't just raising walls; we’re building the infrastructure for community life.

We need to raise £50,000 through this campaign to ensure the Hub is fully operational for our 2027 opening. Without this final funding push, key parts of the project—including the community café and meeting rooms—will remain empty shells at launch. This isn't just about bricks and mortar; it’s about unlocking a self-sustaining asset for Colinton.

• 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 by 21st June 2026 at 4:19pm