Police are appealing for witnesses following a hit and run collision in the city centre. The incident happened around 4.20pm on Saturday on Princes Street, opposite the Next clothing store. Continue reading Appeal following black cab hit and run on Princes Street
Police are appealing for information to help trace a man that officers are looking to speak to concerning an ongoing investigation into an indecent incident that took place in Debenhams on Princes Street at around 1.30pm on Monday 7th May. Continue reading Indecent incident: do you know this man?
A pop-up venue with iconic views of the historic Old Town has been praised by local musicians for providing a new platform for live music in the capital. Continue reading Festival Village provides new stage for local music talent
Police Scotland have confirmed the name of a 23-year-old woman who died following a road traffic collision on Princes Street earlier this week. She was Zhi Min Soh of Malaysia. Continue reading “We have all lost a bright star”: Princes Street accident victim named
A woman cyclist has died following a collision in the city centre. It’s understood she overbalanced when her cycle wheel became stuck in tram tracks and she fell into the path of an oncoming tour bus.
The 24-year-old was cycling at the West End of Princes Street at around 8.30am yesterday when she came off her bike at the junction with Lothian Road, before being involved in a collision with the Rabbie’s Tours mini-bus. The woman, who has not yet been named, sustained serious injuries and was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where she later passed away.
Roads at the busy junction were closed for several hours and diversions put in place while Road Policing Officers carried out investigations at the scene.
Anyone with information is asked to come forward.
Sergeant Fraser Wood from the Road Policing Unit in Edinburgh said: “Sadly, as a result of this collision, the young woman sustained injuries that she could not recover from. Our sympathies are with her family and friends at this time.
“As part of our ongoing investigation we remain keen to speak to members of the public who witnessed this incident, or who have information that can assist us in establishing the full circumstances of what happened.”
Those with information can contact the Road Policing Unit in Edinburgh via 101 and quote incident number 643 of the 31st May.
Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, used First Minister’s Questions to raise concerns about safe cycling infrastructure following yesterday’s fatal accident in Edinburgh in which a twenty-four year old woman came off her bike on tram tracks and was hit by a minibus.
Cycling campaigners have claimed that the number of accidents on tram tracks in the Capital is higher than in other UK cities.
Alison Johnstone, co-convener of Holyrood’s cross-party group on cycling, said: “Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of the young woman who died. While an investigation is underway into the circumstances, it is terrible that it often takes such shocking events to prompt a rethink of how we plan our infrastructure.
“Cycling should be a safe way of getting about our towns and cities for everyday activities. I’m pleased that the First Minister agreed to my request that the Transport Minister meets with campaign groups to discuss what can be done to prevent any further injuries or loss of life.”
Princes Street’s famous Royal British Hotel has undergone a multi-million pound refurbishment and conversion to see it become a Hotel Indigo® branded property.
Continue reading The name game: the Royal British is now Hotel Indigo
Police are appealing for witnesses following a hate crime in Princes Street on Saturday afternoon. Continue reading Hate crime on Prices Street
The prospect of stopping for a bite to eat while shopping on Princes Street is moving a step closer thanks to proposed changes to allow cafes and restaurants on Scotland’s most famous street. The plans aim to encourage more people to visit Princes Street and boost the area’s vitality by creating a mix of retail and food and drink establishments.
Today’s meeting of the Planning Committee will consider a report seeking permission to begin public consultation on new Supplementary Guidance (SG) for the Proposed Local Development Plan.
This ties in with the overall vision for the City Centre, the public consultation for which closed last week and drew almost 2,000 responses.
The proposed Supplementary Guidance for the City Centre Retail Core Frontage (Princes Street) allows food and drink uses in shop units which are under 300 sq m gross in size and which can safely accommodate outdoor pavement seating.
Twenty five units out of the 78 on Princes Street would be eligible to change their use from retail (Class 1) to food and drink (Class 3). Pubs and hot food takeaways would not be permitted as they do not fall into the Class 3 category.
To prevent future changes of food and drink establishments to Class 2 use financial, professional or other services (eg banks, betting offices), the Council will seek an Article 4 Direction from Scottish Ministers to revoke Permitted Development Rights for the change of use of Class 3 to Class 2 uses on Princes Street.
Planning Convener Councillor Ian Perry said: “This is about breathing new life into Princes Street. Cafes and restaurants will give people a new incentive to come into town to meet friends, relax over a meal and visit the shops. We’ve already had interest from prospective food and drink businesses who are keen to take advantage of the world-beating views of Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town that you get on Princes Street.”
Andy Neal, Chief Executive of Essential Edinburgh, said: “Essential Edinburgh are delighted this positive step for Princes Street is being taken. For city centres to survive they need to offer a great experience and a row of almost a mile with only shops does not deliver that. The chance to break for a chat with coffee or a glass of wine will deliver a much more pleasurable experience and allow the unique and stunning views to be enjoyed. It will also allow the street to be used into the evening. With later shop opening and places to eat, Princes St will be an even greater asset for Edinburgh.”
David Birrell, Chief Executive at Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is a great opportunity to boost business in Princes Street by being creative with the mix of food and drink offering to the people of Edinburgh and tourists. It is inevitable that the face of Edinburgh’s flagship street will change as our culture evolves. Currently Princes Street is a shopping street to be proud of and this seems like a great opportunity to enhance the mix with restaurants and bars. What other city can offer all this directly opposite an iconic Castle?”
Hugh Rutherford, Chair of the Edinburgh Business Forum, said: “Princes Street currently has a strong retail offering with a variety of outlets catering to all needs. The opportunity to complement this with quality food and drink establishments is to be welcomed as this with help drive footfall to the city centre and will be instrumental in bringing a new lease of life to this iconic thoroughfare.”
The report also deals with Supplementary Guidance for Tollcross Town Centre. This is the first of eight town centres for which a programme of Supplementary Guidance has been prepared. the Council will prepare and consult on supplementary guidance for the remaining seven town centres (Corstorphine, Gorgie/Dalry, Leith/Leith Walk, Morningside/Bruntsfield, Nicolson St/Clerk St, Portobello and Stockbridge) over the next two years.
If approved by the Planning Committee today, the Supplementary Guidance for both the City Centre Retail Core and Tollcross Town Centre will go out for public consultation over the summer and, depending on the consultation outcome, it is hoped that there could be cafes and restaurants on Princes Street by summer next year.
