Fire-ravaged Cowgate opens ahead of schedule

Published on Tuesday 25 March 2003 00:00

THE historic Cowgate in Edinburgh, badly damaged in a massive blaze in December, was reopened yesterday.

The street was closed last year to allow 12 buildings to be demolished. Now the work has been completed four weeks ahead of schedule.

Owners of buildings in the area are working with Malcolm Fraser, an Edinburgh architect, on a vision of how the area could be redeveloped.

Councillor Donald Anderson, the leader of Edinburgh City Council, said: "Making this fire-ravaged site safe has been no easy task and credit should go to those who have worked long and hard to make it happen."

Work continues in the Cowgate, which was popular with clubbers and pub-goers before the blaze, to remove loose masonry and weatherproof the remaining structures.

Millions of pounds worth of damage was caused by the fire, which broke out above La Belle Angele nightclub and took three days to bring under control. No-one was hurt, but 150 people were evacuated .