Princes Street fire closure to continue during Edinburgh festivals

A fire incident at the former Debenhams department store has led to a partial closure of Princes Street, Edinburgh’s central thoroughfare, coinciding with the beginning of the city’s busy festival season. The City of Edinburgh Council announced that the process to secure the building and protect its historic architectural elements will require several weeks. This measure has affected public transport significantly, with buses being unable to run between Frederick Street and South Charlotte Street until August, at a time when the city anticipates a large influx of visitors for the International Festival and the Festival Fringe.

The disruption extends to the city’s tram services, which are currently limited to operating only between Edinburgh Airport and the West End. The usual tram routes along Princes Street continuing towards Leith and Newhaven have been suspended. Meanwhile, bus routes have been diverted from Princes Street to George Street. Normally, George Street is closed to traffic in August to allow bars and venues to expand their outdoor space, but this closure is now not expected to occur as previously planned. Additional closures remain in place affecting parts of Rose Street and Rose Street South Lane.

Authorities, including Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, continue to investigate the cause of the fire that affected the B-listed building last week. According to the council, a dedicated webpage has been set up to keep the public informed about ongoing developments. Council leader Jane Meagher described the situation as “ever-changing,” emphasizing the priority is to make the structure safe while preserving as many historic features as possible. She acknowledged the challenges ahead given that the city is entering its busiest period, stating: “I’m acutely aware that we’re now entering the busiest period of the year for Edinburgh, and there will inevitably be disruption in and around the city centre.”

The fire investigation was initially delayed due to concerns about the building’s structural safety but investigators have recently been granted access to the site. The former Debenhams building had been largely vacant since a previous fire in 2021 and was in the middle of redevelopment into Scotland’s first Zedwell hotel prior to the recent blaze. Images from the scene reveal extensive damage, including a completely destroyed roof and significant harm to other parts of the structure. Meanwhile, the city prepares for a festival season that sees its population double, hosting not only the International Festival and Festival Fringe but also the Book Festival, Art Festival, Film Festival, the Royal Military Tattoo, and major sporting events throughout August

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