Teviot Row House to close for over a year due to renovations

Teviot Row House, one of Edinburgh University’s student union buildings, will be closing from October 2023 until the spring of 2025 due to renovation work.

Teviot is a popular socialising and study spot for Edinburgh students, and is the home to multiple venues including the Library Bar, New Amphion cafe and the Sports Bar.

In an email sent out to Edinburgh students today, Vice-Principal Colm Harmon and Deputy Secretary Lucy Evans wrote: “I’m pleased to let you know that we are working closely with the Students’ Association to plan for and deliver a significant upgrade to Teviot Row House, the world’s oldest purpose-built Students’ Union.

“The upgrade will make the building more environmentally efficient and sustainable, and significantly improve accessibility and toilet provision, while also making it easier to find your way around.

“We’ll be enhancing and modernising facilities throughout the building such as the café and bar areas, as well as repurposing some spaces to create a new student community lounge, student group workspaces, a wellbeing studio and a gallery.

“The project is still subject to final planning approvals and the appointment of contractors, following which the work is expected to commence in October 2023 and be complete in spring 2025.”

The Library Bar, otherwise known as the home of the Teviot curly fries

Edinburgh University expects that “the majority of what currently takes place in Teviot will move into Potterrow, the Pleasance and some additional spaces in the central campus area”, however there could be some additional alterative outlets being made too. According to the email, the uni is “working with the Students’ Association to provide you with alternative social, event and informal study spaces as well as a range of food and beverage outlets, including in the evenings and during weekends”.

All current Students’ Association services such as The Advice Place, Student Voice Hub, Student Opportunities team and the main Welcome desk will remain in Potterrow.

Students will be updated once a full list of alternative spaces has been confirmed and you can find more information on the planned works here.

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• Second screening of ‘transphobic’ film cancelled due to protests at Edinburgh University

• UCU announces marking and assessment boycott

• Scottish Conservatives call for investigation into Edinburgh University’s handling of sexual violence