SHARED VISION FOR OUR CITY CENTRE
INTRODUCTION The statements in this book paint a picture of the city centre as it could be - and as we believe you would have it based on your feedback. Working together, our most sincere aspiration is to support and catalyse the delivery of this vision. Andy Neal, Chief Executive Essential Edinburgh BID
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THE CITY CENTRE – AN OVERVIEW Following the disruption of tram works, Edinburgh’s World Heritage City Centre is transformed, a must-see destination for tourists and visitors and consistently popular with residents.
Diverse and exciting, Edinburgh’s City Centre is noted locally as well as on a European and world stage through sustained promotion and marketing, following a major posttram re-launch initiative. Trams convey people swiftly from the Airport and open the city centre to those who live and work in the west of the city as never before. Connections swift enough to make ‘lunch in town’ a possibility even for those who work in South Gyle while award-winning bus services serve all routes across town.
to a well designed city centre signage strategy, combining pedestrian level signage with new technology to make Edinburgh’s city centre uniquely accessible and easy to navigate.
Within the Business Improvement District, specialist cleaning services ensure that despite a busy nightlife, city centre streets are pristine for the many who come to work, shop or enjoy the city centre each morning. CCTV, superior street lighting and a developed contact network between businesses and the police ensure that city centre crime is kept at record lows and that people feel confident to enjoy all Edinburgh has to offer, day or night.
For those unfamiliar with the city, it’s always easy to find your way around thanks ESSENTIAL EDINBURGH | SHARED VISION FOR OUR CITY CENTRE | 05
PRINCES STREET Princes Street, home to one of the most iconic city views in the world should be a dynamic street with a mixture of business types, always tidy and well presented. Bustling with shoppers and business people by day and alive at night with a vibrant cultural life and diverse opportunities to enjoy Scotland’s capital city. The pavements are wide and there are places to linger and enjoy the view, whether standing to take photographs or seated outside a stylish cafÊ or bar.
First class shopping finds itself interspersed with lifestyle offerings and quality establishments which provide variety without a proliferation of low-end or fast food restaurants. Bus and tram stops make Princes Street a vital corridor through the city centre, connected as never before to the Airport and to the housing and business parks in the west of the city. Whether exploring on foot or arriving by bus or taxi, finding your way around is simple. 06 | SHARED VISION FOR OUR CITY CENTRE | ESSENTIAL EDINBURGH
Well thought-out pedestrian level signage and smartphone-friendly navigation tools like QR badges on signposts point the way, or easily open maps on your smartphone or mobile device to show you exactly where you are and what is around you. The streets are well maintained with fast response to address any issues with pavement quality or cleanliness. Regular cleanups ensure that while the street is buzzing with activity in the evenings, everything is in first class condition to welcome shoppers and business people the following day.
GEORGE STREET In keeping with the grand boulevards that are home to some of Europe’s most distinguished boutiques and brands, George Street is a wide, welcoming avenue with first class on-street decoration and planting.
Innovative pedestrian signage, as on Princes Street and connecting streets, helps visitors and locals to navigate diverse opportunities presented by a vibrant mix of businesses, creating a natural flow through the area. For car access to the city centre, modern underground parking structures provide ample room, allowing public space improvements on the street to create places to linger and enjoy the cafĂŠ culture along the street. As evening falls, the excellent street lighting along George Street and into the connecting streets provides a pleasant atmosphere and sense of security for those meeting friends, enjoying the nightlife or later, heading home. ESSENTIAL EDINBURGH | SHARED VISION FOR OUR CITY CENTRE | 09
ROSE STREET A bright and welcoming space between Princes Street and George Street, the well appointed entrances to Rose Street punctuate the routes between these two major thoroughfares, inviting shoppers, visitors, locals and business people to explore an exciting range of appealing shops, individual bars and unique night spots.
Improved signage and traffic management keep essential access routes working smoothly and create safe zones for pedestrians to enjoy on-street displays, markets and high quality public space - There is always something going on in Rose Street. Clean, safe and well lit, Rose Street is a popular destination for shoppers during the day and those looking to unwind, relax and enjoy the city centre in the evening.
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ST JAMES QUARTER The transformation of the St James Quarter at the eastern end of the city centre expands Edinburgh’s already impressive retail offering and provides 1800 city centre parking spaces. The diversity of retailers caters to an expanded customer base with other city centre businesses reaping the rewards of increased footfall. Streetscaping and signage create a natural flow through Multrees Walk into the heart of the city centre, while regular events and quality public space at St Andrew Square provide a natural magnet for shoppers and passers by.
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YOUR BID, YOUR CITY Essential Edinburgh is committed to realising the full potential of Edinburgh’s city centre; to playing a vital role in delivering our member’s vision of a prosperous, exciting place for people to work, visit and enjoy. To better understand your vision as we work toward a second term for the Business Improvement District, we’ve taken time to listen. Through an extensive set of focus groups with businesses across the city centre, we’ve built on the many conversations we’ve had over the last five
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years and asked the fundamental question - what kind of city centre do you want to live in? In this short book, we believe we have outlined the aspirations and hopes you’ve shared with us. We will support and champion your greatest priorities, lobby in their favour and challenge policies or decisions which might threaten their delivery. It is our intention to deliver all or most of this in the second term of the BID. This is your BID, your city centre and your vision for the future.
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Tel: 0131 220 8580 email: info@essentialedinburgh.co.uk web: www.essentialedinburgh.co.uk
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