Granton Station is buzzing again as a hub for creatives and entrepreneurs after its £4.75million restoration led by arts charity Wasps and the City of Edinburgh Council.

The rebirth will support 40 jobs and help 100 grow their businesses, while community exhibition and event spaces create potential to attract thousands of visitors to the North of Edinburgh.

Wasps have unveiled flexible and affordable working spaces to accommodate freelancers, creative enterprises and start-ups in Edinburgh. Options range from hot-desk memberships within a shared co-working space to flexible office spaces.

The former gasworks railway station has been transformed into a cutting-edge creative hub providing staffed reception, high-speed fibre broadband kitchen areas, gallery and workshop spaces cycle parking, lockers and shower as well as access to Wasps’ professional development network

Audrey Carlin, Chief Executive of Wasps, said: “At Granton Station, you’ll be part of a network of designers, social entrepreneurs and cultural producers, making our spaces the perfect place for inspiration and potential collaborations.

“If you’re just working as an individual from home at the moment this provides you with a more professional base from which to start and grow your practice and to expand and contract as your business needs change.”

Among the first wave through the doors are nine emerging artists on the ground-breaking Granton Graduate Accelerator Programme, launched with support from Creative Scotland and Edinburgh College.

Pairing with experienced mentors over the next 12 months, graduates get the tools needed to bridge the chasm between academia and the real-world challenges of carving out a career.

In turn the ‘Wasps Granton Grads’ bring their art to the community, in the form of workshops and exhibitions.

One of the first recruits is photographer and sculptor Heather Roberts, who emerged from Glasgow School of Art with a degree in Fine Art Photography.

Heather is paired with Andy Kennedy. A lecturer in fine art at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design and a working artist, he has experience of both worlds.

Heather said: “That transition from academia to work can be daunting. While you get career advice at university, nothing can really prepare you for life in the real world. Andy and the other mentors offer us the benefit of their knowledge in an environment purpose built to nurture creativity.

“It is psychologically helpful to be in a room with other creatives and mentors, sharing similar experiences and similar challenges.”

Wasps are Scotland’s leading provider of creative spaces, directly supporting Scotland’s creative economy with over 1000 artists and makers, 47 creative businesses and 33 cultural charities in 21 studio buildings from Shetland to the Borders.

More details on opportunities at Granton Station here or get in touch with the Wasps team at Granton Station on 0131 202 7889 or email granton@ waspsstudios.org.uk.