Gorebridge Community Development Trust has pulled out as partner of the redevelopment project at the former local train station building.

The station is being redeveloped into a café/restaurant, gallery and office space. The local Trust was originally set to take over the running of the building when it opened in 2020.

Speaking to the Midlothian Council this week, the Board of Trustees said: "We, as a charity, are in no position to revisit the same experience both in terms of financial implications and human resource. This is a responsible and prudent action we are taking."

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They highlighted that the long and troublesome capital build, securing start-up funding for the Beacon, opening its doors, and now the day to day running of community hub was challenging.

Despite being disappointed with the decision, Council Leader Councillor Derek Milligan said he understood the reasons behind it.

"It's obviously sad news but we respect and understand the trust's view. It's understandable the trust will want to focus on making the Beacon a real success. It's already a landmark building serving the community so we're confident it has a great future under the trust's stewardship," he said.

"We're grateful the trust came to us relatively early on in the project. While designs and planning consents are in place, no tenders have gone out for construction work and no lease had been signed with the building's owner, Network Rail."

All funding partners have been informed about the decision.

(CM/JG)