Edinburgh, Scotland -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/30/2012 -- Ambitious new plans for George Street could see the area closed off to traffic, as a major new festival venue including outdoor bars and cafes is created. Where the existing parking bays are located, a Spiegeltent would be built under the proposals, designed to help the city centre fight back against the drift of Festival activity to the south side of the Capital.
A staff member at Direct Liaisons, an Edinburgh-based sales and marketing company, said, “It’d be great if it goes ahead. The city centre really doesn’t have the festival atmosphere, and this would really help.”
The plans have been proposed by Tommy Sheppard, a local comedy promoter, who will run the new Fringe venue when it is reopened this summer.
Discussions are currently ongoing with transport chiefs to try and close the street off to traffic and divert buses on to Queen Street or Princes Street instead.
“It is an exciting idea,” said Mr Sheppard, “and one that will help to put that part of the city back on the map, and help to relaunch the Assembly Rooms with a bang.”
Work has begun already, with the council being asked permission to remove around 30 parking bays from George Street, but further talks will need to take place about the necessary traffic changes. It is understood the proposal hinges on Princes Street being reopened to buses following tram works.
“It’s by no means completely on track yet,” said our source from Direct Liaisons, “But hopefully it will all come together, because it would really be beneficial to the city centre.”
Mr Sheppard said: “We’ve signed the contract to manage the Assembly Rooms during the Fringe and we are determined to make it the biggest and best venue in Edinburgh. We would like to create a hub in George Street when there’s a whole lot going on inside and outside, while linking with other people on the street to try to create a centre of gravity in that part of town.”
Andy Neal, chief executive of Essential Edinburgh, believes the venue will benefit all businesses, despite the new outdoor bar and cafe space going into competition with existing businesses. He said: “There is plenty of business to go around.”
“The venue will attract an influx of festival-goers to the city centre, who usually end up elsewhere,” said our source from Direct Liaisons, “That translates to an increase in business overall. It will benefit everyone.”
Cllr Mackenzie said about eight or nine of the 30 parking bays could be relocated on George Street, adding: “Against that, thousands of people will come over and that will offset the impact of less parking.”
http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/festival_to_take_over_george_st_1_2120722