Edinburgh's famous shopping street is evolving. Here, Council Leader Adam McVey comments on the outlook for Princes Street in the coming months and years.
Council Leader Adam McVey said: “This is the decade we’ll see Princes Street reborn into a much more welcoming place for people to stroll, relax and interact with a range of shops, cafes, restaurants and venues.
“We’re already fortunate in that our city centre remains in good health – according to a study by the Royal Society for Public Health, we have the healthiest high street in Scotland - but we know people’s habits are changing. Edinburgh isn’t immune to these changes or the knock-on effects to retail. In recognition of this, we’ve relaxed planning guidance on the kinds of establishments occupying the street, meaning a better mix of retail and non-retail, maintaining the vibrancy of Princes Street.
“The Johnnie Walker experience in the former Fraser’s building demonstrates the kind of variety we can have here. Couple it with the Quaich Project’s ambitions for the Gardens, a reinvigoration of our West End is in train. There’s exciting new developments in East End of Princes Street too where new eateries have breathed fresh life into St Andrew Square and where designs are being redrawn for the IMPACT Concert Centre. The biggest change, of course, is the complete redevelopment of St James which we’ve helped to drive forward, creating thousands of new jobs and changing the way we view and visit this part of Princes Street for decades to come.
“We’re also working to transform the way people interact with Edinburgh’s streets under a number of new strategies for creating accessible, affordable and environmentally-friendly travel. There is no question that Princes Street will change as a result but our strong economic performance gives us an opportunity to look at a range of new options for improving and enjoying the vibrant heart of our city centre for many years.”