General Chat

For many years I lived a stones throw from Princes Street. and having regularly visited several cities in Northern Europe, I think this is an excellent idea, what could be a nicer than to sit outside having a meal or a coffee and look across at the marvelous views of Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh Castle, and St Giles Cathedral ;-)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-22477371

Plans to revitalise Edinburgh's city centre with continental-style cafes and restaurants on Princes Street are being considered by councillors.

It is feared shopping alone is no longer enough to draw people onto the street.

The number of people visiting Princes Street has been falling for the last 20 years.

We have visited Princes Street in Edinburgh a few times on trips to the UK. I love it and it would be just wonderful to visit a cafe or restaurant and enjoy all the beautiful sights. The Princes Street Gardens are lovely.

Good idea.

They'd have to have tables with waterproof umbrellas.

NOT having a go!!

I was born in Scotland, now live in Australia, and I've been to Scotland many times....... including visiting Edinburgh.



:-D

sounds good to me - love Edinburgh and the Princes Street area with all the views you cite - they've done it here in Cardiff to a certain extent and it works

Done widely in Western Australia: a great idea.

Even where I live, one local council (City of Bunbury) is actually taking steps to make 'Al Fresco' dining much easier for both patrons and pedestrians.

Only drawback here is that it is usually more costly to eat/drink outside as council's impose a licence fee based on numbers of tables

I too was brought up a stone's throw from Princess Street .. now living in Harrogate we have many cafes outside which is so nice on a warm hot day just like the Continent the only thing is Princess St is very busy as everyone crowds the shop side and could lead to congestion, however saying that not been there for a few years so may be not so crowded as before.

I was born in the "New Town" in Edinburgh a long time ago. although I now live in England, having family and friends in Edinburgh, I visit frequently.
Princes Street is not what it used to be and the Cafe idea is excellent.

I was staying in Edinburgh last night and was in Princes Street today.
( Went to see Derren Brown at The Playhouse)

It was a lovely day today and an outside cafe would have been lovely.
I have to agree with Nolls though..... not much room on shop side of the pavement.
What happens to the views when the trams finally arrive.?.
There are tram rails on both sides of Princes Street and I assume they will travel frequently in both directions.

Haven't they finished the tram lines yet?

How many years has Princes Street been a mess?

No wonder people are staying away.

I have two comments about the trams and they are:-

1) Why on earth in the mid 1950's did they get rid of the trams in the first place, as a child I remember going on days out with my parents and traveling by train, steam train, to Edinburgh, then getting on the tram to travel to the zoo - I suppose they will put the new tram system down to what is called progress :-S

2) I think Princes Street, if not both sides, then at least one side of it, the shop side, should have been pedestrianised and the route in the actual city centre for the trams should have been restricted to George Street ;-)

1950's!!! Modernisation was the " In Word" then. Oh for hindsight. I watched as the last tram came down the Mound everyone was putting pennies on the rails to be bent by the tram, had mine for years, wonder if it would be worth something now lol!

As for the tram lines now thought they had run out of money to finish it???
Same thing has happened in Leeds only this was for the elec. bus they built about a mile of track years ago no money to finish!

This scenario in Edinburgh will be manna from heaven for Kevin Bridges, the brilliant young Glasgow comedian.

Yes, we have al fresco dining in Cardiff Bay at several restaurants - you can even be serenaded as you eat at one Italian restaurant. And Rhod Gilbert has mentioned umbrellas on cocktail drinks being blown inside out, soup filling you up because of all the rainwater pouring into your bowl. And waiters bringing spaghetti carbonara to your table and your meal blowing across the Bay just before he puts it on your table :-D :-D

Well they are right about the decline of the shopping on Princes Street. I've been visiting Edinburgh annually for about 30 years. Shopping on Princes Street could take 2 whole days when there was Litlewoods, C&A, Etam, Mackays, plus many other worthwhile shops. Then they either moved out to Gyle or closed down, and left the few department stores and little else.

I do like the continental style cafes, but you need better weather than Scotland's.

For the benefit of those who may have the wrong impression, of our capital city.
Al fresco dining is available on many streets in Edinburgh City Centre, just not on Princes Street at the moment.

In my younger years I spent more time in Rose Street than Princes Street - but maybe best not to go there :-D :-D :-D

I am not a Scot, but went to Edinburgh a couple of years ago with foggs who was researching his ancestors.
Though Edinburgh was or could be brilliant if the were to clean up a lot of the buildings, looked scruffy.
Don't think there is enough room for outside dining unless they were to have pedestrian access only .

George :-)

Hi OFiTG,

I used to travel to work in the tramcars - got on at Saughton Prison, got off at St Andrew Square end of George Street.!!!

Now that's funny Robert I used to get on at St Andrew Square and get off near the prison.

Now that's funny Robert I used to get on at St Andrew Square and get off near the prison.