Staff at Lothian Buses’ Central Depot, based on Annandale Street, Edinburgh, have celebrated the 90th anniversary of their bus depot.
Opened in 1922, at a cost of £40,000, the building was originally used as a 90,000ft industrial exhibition centre before it was sold to Edinburgh Corporation Transport in 1926.
The building was originally designed to be off the road to allow space for the expected crowds attending the Exhibition Centre. Many events were held over the four years, including boxing matches, motor shows, Christmas Fairs and home shows, which saw crowds of up to 20,000 people at a time.
Richard Hall, Managing Director for Lothian Buses, said: “90 years on and our Central Depot is now home to over 200 buses and is operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, as staff work around the clock to keep the city moving.
“The Depot will again open its doors to the public in September as part of Edinburgh’s Doors Open Day weekend and we look forward to welcoming visitors on the day.”
Lothian Buses’ Head Office is also based at Central Depot, which has been extended twice, once in 1933 and again in 1963 to cope with the operator’s growing fleet.
