Everything's rosy in garden as city builds on Square success

Published on Monday 26 May 2008 10:35

MORE private gardens throughout Edinburgh could be opened up to the public after a revamp of St Andrew Square was declared a huge success.

Tourists, shoppers, office workers and families have flocked to the city centre garden after it opened its gates to the public for the first time in its 238-year history.

Now council chiefs are set to investigate similar projects elsewhere in the Capital.

The 2.6 million St Andrew Square revamp included the installation of a "reflecting pool", ageing trees being replaced, the statue of Lord Melville restored, and new lighting installed to help bring the area to life at night.

Coffee Republic, which runs the newly built pavilion coffee shop in the garden, today said it was handling an average of 1000 customers each day.

There is already demand to open Charlotte Square gardens to the public, but other areas of the city such as Portobello may also now be examined. Other options that could be considered, if private owners are willing to talk to the council, include Drumsheugh Gardens and Boswell's Garden in the Canongate.

Opening up Queen Street Gardens would be popular, but would face stern opposition from local residents.

Former Lord Provost Lesley Hinds has put a motion to this week's full council calling for other projects to be investigated and it is likely to receive the support of the Lib Dem/SNP administration.

Cllr Hinds said today: "Lots of people have been telling me how good the garden is, and when I walked through it last week it was absolutely packed – people reading newspapers and drinking coffee. It's what a public space should be about.

"There must be other spaces in the city, perhaps bought by private developers but where nothing has been done with the land. St Andrew Square was money well spent, and we need to learn from that."

Dating back to 1770, and designed by James Craig, St Andrew Square Garden is an integral part of his New Town masterplan but was previously only accessible to residents and businesses in the surrounding area.

The garden has been leased for the next 50 years from the St Andrew Square proprietors. Money for the scheme came from the council and Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian.

Councillor Robert Aldridge, the city's environment leader, said today: "The success of St Andrew Square Garden has been phenomenal and it's a fantastic addition to the city centre.

"Without a doubt, good green space enhances people's lives and can rejuvenate previously underused areas – and we're keen to ensure that all available gardens and parks are used to their maximum potential."

Ian Broadfoot, a manager with Edinburgh City Centre Management, which operates the garden, added: "We are extremely proud of what we've achieved with the opening of St Andrew Square Garden to the public for the first time ever. The success of the garden is there for all to see in the number of people using the space."