08/09/2014
Buckingham Palace style marquees for George Street
"It is hoped the new marquees will be operating by the end of July and that they will stay open to shoppers and tourists right through to August 2015."
A huge hit during last year’s Festival, the deluxe structures are set to become a fixture between July and August 2015, as council chiefs bid to establish the city centre as a shopping and visitor magnet.
They want to set up al fresco eating and drinking spots along all four of George Street’s main blocks, with specially-made decking laid down to accommodate bespoke marquees capable of accommodating hundreds of diners.
And they have insisted the new features – which have been “carefully selected” and “used in Buckingham Palace and the Royal Highland Show” – will be high quality and firmly in keeping with the grandeur of the world heritage-listed avenue.
Andy Neal, of city centre business improvement group Essential Edinburgh, which is helping implement the council-led initiative, said: “I think this will just enhance what makes this street special.
“You have got a great environment which will get even better. This will give you more time to appreciate the great things about George Street.”
