Latest news with #OldTown
BBC News
2 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Overtourism: Does Edinburgh's Royal Mile need 72 gift shops?
The Royal Mile is the ancient spine of Edinburgh, and one of the top destinations for the five million tourists who come to the city every collective name for four streets that thread through the city's Old Town, it is home to a 900-year-old castle, a palace and a the people who live there claim they are now seeing the overtourism problems being experienced across tourists comes tourist shops and BBC Scotland News walked the length of the Royal Mile to find out just how many there research found a total of 72 stores, selling everything from kilts to Highland cow fridge are part of an industry that supports more than 40,000 jobs in locals say having so many similar shops in one place is symptomatic of the challenges that mass tourism brings. The gift shops - most of which are run by three main operators - sell every imaginable Scotland or Edinburgh-themed item, from postcards and soft toys to are two shops which only sell Christmas-related Royal Mile is also home to 42 cafes or restaurants, 13 bars, eight jewellers and three kilt in addition to the museums, cathedral, court, primary school and homes located along the steep and narrow pavements. 'I'm not against tourism, I just think it has gone too far' One man who is almost uniquely qualified to understand the impact of tourism on the Royal Mile is 77-year-old Jimmy has lived on the Canongate, at the bottom of the Royal Mile, since birth and proudly refers to himself as a who has lived in five different homes, can list the "useful shops" that used to be a stone's throw away. They include hairdressers, butchers, grocers and a doctors' surgery - which is now a whisky said it used to be "a normal area" where people would live and work."It was probably in the 1980s you saw a lot of people moving out and the street beginning to change," he explained. Jimmy used to work at the brewery which is now the site of the Scottish Parliament. He has long enjoyed sitting outside the 17th Century Canongate Kirk, where one of the benches has an inscription to his late added: "I would sit on that bench and you'd watch the world go by, saying hello to folk you knew coming by. "Now I sit there and it feels like it is just tourists that pass me by."I'm not against tourism, I just think it has gone far in how it affects people who live here."Jimmy said he now had to go out of the area to get his food shopping, or rely on relatives to bring it to him. He said the council was to blame for allowing too many tourist shops to open in one area. It is a point that some critics argue is borne out by data published by the City of Edinburgh Council last year which shows it owns and rents out 35 shops along the Royal Mile, many of which are leased to tourism businesses. Hanna Wesemann lives just off the Royal Mile and both her children attended Royal Mile Primary 2004, this Victorian-era built school had 165 pupils but now the roll is down to 118 pupils – well below its 210 capacity. The 29% fall in pupils does not surprise Hanna, who says the Old Town increasingly "does not feel like a good area to bring up a family".Hanna puts this down to the pressures of tourism and the blight of anti-social behaviour by problem drug and alcohol users outside her flat, which requires regular calls to the police. She said: "It feels like all that's left here is shops for tourists, tourists, and people who have multiple and complex needs."It [the Royal Mile] is on our doorstep but we never go there because there's nothing for us."There used to be some useful shops, even charity shops, but now they are all gone and all I can see is gift shops which all seem to sell the same stuff." Increase in international visitors to Edinburgh Only London beats Edinburgh in terms of the most popular places to visit in the visitors account for the bulk of the city's tourists staying for at least one night - a total of 2.6m in 2023, up from 2.47m in it is overseas visitors who are driving Edinburgh's increasing popularity. After a dramatic fall in the Covid years, Edinburgh now attracts one million more international visitors every year than it did a decade ago. Combined with domestic visitors, that is 4.98m total overnight trips by all visitors in 2023. Where to accommodate these tourists, especially in peak periods like the Edinburgh festivals, has been a topic of hot discussion in the city for years. Edinburgh saw a well documented surge in residential properties being turned over to holiday lets in the previous decade. The number of listings by Airbnb in the city jumped from 1,900 in 2014 to 9,000 three years laws requiring operators of short-term lets to have a licence has reduced this tally but data from Inside Airbnb - an independent website which gathers data on Airbnb's operations - suggests there are still just under 6,000 listings for Edinburgh properties today. BBC Scotland News counted 96 key boxes of the type typically used for holiday lets on, or just off, the Royal Mile earlier this month. The impact of holiday lets on people living in the most popular tourist areas is very familiar to Hanna and her family. She explained: "They're not bad people but they don't consider this as an area where people live as normal residents."You can't build a relationship with someone for three days and I'm really tired of going upstairs every few days and saying 'Can you please be quiet, we have to go to work in the morning'."While much of the focus on where tourists stay has been on the controversy around holiday lets, there are now 181 hotels in Edinburgh - more than twice as many as there were in 2005. What tourism does for Edinburgh's economy There is little doubt that tourism plays a key role in the city's economy. Hosting the world's largest arts festival every August is a big part of that but tourism is now an all-year round industry. It is estimated the average overnight visitor spent £435 in 2023. That filters down to a range of businesses, from coffee shops to taxi firms, supporting thousands of jobs. A spokesman for the Gold Brothers Group - which owns 16 shops on the Royal Mile and employs 340 people in peak season - said claims about too many tourists were nothing he added that there was still capacity for more visitors outwith the festivals in August. The spokesman said: "Our view is that a number of priority issues are being overlooked due to a fixation on tourist numbers. "The urgent priorities for residents, business owners and visitors to the Old Town are cleanliness as the place is filthy; anti-social behaviour; and criminality including violence and a serious 'theftdemic'."Maybe Edinburgh's local population could come and visit and reflect on what the Royal Mile looked like years ago with its poorly maintained shops with little or no investment and then, without prejudice, consider the quality of outlets now."The spokesman called on the City of Edinburgh Council to "stride to its A game" by cleaning the Old Town more often and ensuring it is "safe and a joy to behold". Edinburgh 'a great place to live and visit' Council Leader Jane Meagher said the local authority was determined ensure the Royal Mile was "clean and well-maintained".She also told BBC Scotland News the Old Town High Street was added: "Shopfronts are open, supporting local jobs and our economy, with a great mix of businesses in the area from independent kiltmakers to homemade crafts. "As one of the biggest landlords in the area we encourage this mix and work to make sure properties are occupied."The council leader acknowledged anti-social behaviour remained a concern but said the local authority was working with Police Scotland to address CCTV has also been installed around the Tron and Hunter said: "We're also making the Royal Mile a safer place for pedestrians and cyclists, while making sure it is clean and well-maintained. "Our refurbishment of North Bridge is a visible commitment of our plans to ensure the area remains at the beating heart of the city, as is the extra £1m we're investing this year to tackle litter and graffiti in our communities."The funding includes additional resources for washing pavements and closes in the Old said: "Once Edinburgh's visitor levy has launched, we hope to invest even more money to manage the impact tourism has, to ensure our city remains a great place to live and to visit." The future of tourism in Edinburgh The latest Scottish census suggests just under 9,000 people live in the areas in and around the Royal Mile. This covers the tall blocks of flats that flank either side of the Royal Mile and the nearby council-built estate of Dumbiedykes, which has about 600 homes but no shop, GP surgery, pharmacy or post of these residents feel the direct pressure tourism can bring but there are wider pressures on the city too. A 8.4% jump in the city's population in the 10 years to 2023 has contributed to a deepening housing and homelessness year Edinburgh will introduce the kind of tourist tax that is common around Europe and city leaders have pledged to invest the £50m it is expected to raise every year on infrastructure has been mostly welcomed but some fear it might not be enough to help Edinburgh adapt to the growing demands of tourism.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Frustration as busy road closes to traffic for months
A busy Swindon road has closed and will remain shut to traffic for months during a major roadworks project. Devizes Road in Old Town closed on Monday, July 21, as part of a £120,000 project to upgrade gas pipes in the area. Traffic will be unable to use the route until Wales & West Utilities finishes the work and this is estimated to take until the end of September. One driver who lives in Old Town told the Adver the roadworks had impacted their commute. They said: 'I had to leave 15 minutes earlier, all the buses were diverted down Bath Road so it was hard to get out. 'There was definitely more traffic than usual, and it was difficult to get anywhere, it's very frustrating because it means my commute will take longer for the next few months.' Suggested reading Tributes paid to footballer after sudden death as donations pour in Police swarm town centre after person spotted on shopping centre roof More thunderstorms forecast as new weather warning issued Be the first to know with the Swindon Advertiser! 📱 💡 Our flash sale brings the latest local happenings directly to you. Save over 50% on an annual subscription now. 🔗 #SpecialOffer — Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) July 4, 2025 Swindon Borough Council says it has worked to minimise disruption in the area. A spokesperson said: 'We have been working closely with businesses, and the Old Town Business Association, to help mitigate any impacts, including waiving cafe pavement licence fees. 'A diversion route will be in place and access for businesses and residents will be maintained. 'A series of street events will also be taking place on Devizes Road and Wood Street to support the local businesses impacted by the closure.'
BBC News
6 days ago
- BBC News
Most photographed street 'wrecked' by vandals, say shopkeepers
Shopkeepers on Scotland's most photographed street say it has been "wrecked" after vandals covered stonework and shop fronts in owner said he was shocked at the "unprecedented scale" of the damage after at least 10 shops on Victoria Street in Edinburgh's Old Town had graffiti tags sprayed on their windows, stone walls and doors at the street's colourful buildings, cobblestone pavement, and curved layout make it a popular setting for tourists and influencers to Scotland said inquiries were ongoing into the incident at the street often cited as an inspiration for the fictional Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series. Harry Potter author JK Rowling lived in Edinburgh when she was writing the popular street, which links George IV bridge and the Grassmarket, is claimed as the inspiration for the alley where wizards bought their magical McRae, who owns three shops in Victoria Street including Museum Context, which sells officially licensed Harry Potter products, said he was shocked at the "unprecedented scale" of the vandalism over the weekend. "I've been doing business in the Old Town for a number of years and I've never seen anything on this kind of scale before with one street being so badly targeted and damaged," he said."Victoria Street is one of the most picturesque and beautiful streets in the city if not Scotland and a great deal of time and effort is spent by the independent business owners to keep it in that condition."So to come in to work and see this trail of destruction - I was very shocked and it was very demoralising."Mr McRae added: "It seems to me there are no consequences or there is no sense that people will be held accountable for what they are doing."He said something needed to be done as visitors and locals "shouldn't have to see the city wrecked with such impunity". John Bowman, owner of the Cuttea Sark in Victoria Street, said he had never seen vandalism on this scale in the 28 years he had been running his business in the street."I was annoyed like everyone else would be when I saw the graffiti," the 76-year-old said."I've had to buy paint to cover it up as it won't clean off."It's not good for tourism. The authorities should do something about it but they won't." Tom Kerry, who works in both Walker Slater clothing shops in the street, said it was "absolutely mindless vandalism"."It's ugly and looks like someone is trying to mark their territory," he said."We're a nice shop, we've been here since 1989 and a family-run business, so I didn't expect to come into work and see this. "We're a nice street and like to keep things looking good." Part of the graffiti attack at the weekend saw the 900-year-old St Giles' Cathedral targeted as well as other monuments and stone buildings in the Old Town - which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Golden, development and outreach manager of the heritage watchdog Cockburn Association, told BBC Scotland it was a delicate and difficult task to remove graffiti from historic Golden said it can require specialist equipment and knowledge to remove it properly without damaging the building itself."It should also be removed quickly to try to avoid irreparable damage to these historic buildings," she said. Stephen Jenkinson, City of Edinburgh Council's environment convener, said: "First and foremost, defacing any building with graffiti is a criminal offence and I'd encourage anyone with any information on the culprits to contact the police."This type of mindless behaviour damages the local environment for everyone, whether they be residents or visitors, and wastes time and money on removing it."We've invested in a dedicated graffiti team who will be happy to offer advice to private owners on how best to deal with it and, if requested, to remove it (on a cost recovery basis)."Police Scotland confirmed it had received a report of the vandalism on Victoria Street and inquiries were ongoing.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Popular Chinese restaurant returning to nightclub opening soon
A nightclub in Old Town will once again become a Chinese restaurant with popular local venue set to return. Swindon Rendezvous owner Alan Mok first opened a restaurant at Hooper's Place, Old Town, in 2016, as the restaurant by day and Tree nightclub by night. Speaking to the Swindon Adver at the time, Alan said: 'Everything we do, I want to make a statement. "When people come in I want them to have a wow feeling." Alan Mok in 2016 (Image: Dave Cox) The business has been trading in town for over 25 years and is currently based at Theatre Square with an all-you-can-eat menu. Almost 10 years on from Swindon Rendezvous' first move to Old Town, it's set to return this summer. Signage advertising the grand opening appeared on the former Tree nightclub earlier this year, along with symbols representing the Chinese New Year animals decorating the sides of the building. (Image: Dave Cox) (Image: Newsquest) Confirming the news earlier this year, a spokesperson for Swindon Rendezvous said: "A new chapter is incoming. "We are delighted to announce that Swindon Rendezvous will be relocating to a stunning new home at 2 Hooper Place, Swindon SN1 3RA (former Tree Nightclub) opening in Summer 2025. Read more Italian restaurant recently closed for third time to be revived again Greek restaurant with 'authentic flavours' opens in Swindon Rat-infested kebab shop allowed to reopen "Our new space will feature over 250 seats, offering an inviting and refined atmosphere, a rooftop terrace, perfect for al fresco dining with a view, outdoor seating, bringing a touch of nature to your dining experience and private dining rooms, designed for intimate gatherings and special occasions. "We look forward to welcoming you to this new chapter, where every detail has been thoughtfully curated to enhance your experience." Swindon Rendezvous has been sharing updates about their progress on social media, with the rooftop terrace already attracting a lot of excitement. They have confirmed that the venue will be fully accessible for wheelchair users with a lift and multiple access points. "Step into a world where tradition meets luxury – Swindon's ultimate hotspot for unforgettable nights and elevated flavours", their latest post reads. They are yet to confirm an opening date for the restaurant. It is understood that the site at 11 Theatre Square in the town centre will close when the Old Town venue opens. Meanwhile, Tree Nightclub, which was formerly based in the building, has remained closed after its last dance in December 2023. The site then suffered a significant fire in May 2024 and it was placed on sale one month later for £1.8 million before that sale was ended.
Fox News
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Workers discover 18th-century vessel while installing pipeline in medieval 'Game of Thrones' city
Workers installing a water pipeline in Croatia made an unexpected discovery, unearthing the remains of an 18th-century wooden boat. The discovery was made this spring in the southern Croatian city of Dubrovnik, a medieval locale famous for being a filming site for the HBO series "Game of Thrones." The wreck was found in Dubrovnik's Old Town harbor. Ivan Bukelic told Bulgarian television network NOVA TV that he uncovered the wooden structure back in April. The undersea builder was working on a water pipeline at the time. The boat was embedded in the seabed, approximately 30 inches beneath the ocean floor. "I can now say I discovered a boat [in] the Old Town Dubrovnik," Bukelic was quoted as saying. Marine archaeologist Irena Radić Rossi confirmed that the boat was over 225 years old. "We still cannot speak of the type of vessel or its dimensions, but we can say for certain, based on the results of radiocarbon analysis, that it was from the late 18th century," she said. Rossi added that the remains are being protected for further examination. "We must protect it for the future," the expert stressed. Shipwreck discoveries, while exciting, are not entirely unheard of in Europe — where dozens have been found or identified so far this year. This spring, excavators uncovered a centuries-old shipwreck in an unlikely place in Spain: a former fish market. Weeks later, an archaeologist announced that he had discovered the likely remains of the Recovery, an 18th-century treasure ship that was lost off the coast of Wexford, Ireland, around 240 years ago. The Associated Press contributed reporting.
