Traders support £3m Southside renovation plan
Steve Hunter believes a revamp of St Patrick Square could boost the area's image
A TRAFFIC island would be transformed into a thriving and active public space that could host events, while a neglected square would be returned to its previous splendour under ambitious multi-million-pound plans to revive Edinburgh’s Southside.
The city council is vying to secure £1 million of lottery funding to help fund £3.2m of improvements to the area around Nicolson Street and Clerk Street.
Among the projects proposed is the transformation of a redundant traffic island at West Crosscauseway – known locally as “The Causey” – into a public space.
St Patrick Square, which is currently closed off to the public, would be redesigned and made more open and accessible under the scheme, while more railings would be introduced and stonework would be repaired.
The proposals have been welcomed by local businesses.
Tom Wilding, manager of The Ale House in Clerk Street, said: “Any investment in the area would be very welcome.
“It depends on what they want to do, though. If it is just a slight improvement then we might not see much of a benefit but as long as they make the area tidier and more attractive then I think people will see it as a good step.”
Lottery funding is seen as central to the “Southside Townscape Heritage Initiative” which, if money can be secured, would also result in a pot of cash that could be used for upgrades and repairs to a series of community buildings.
It follows a similar initiative in Leith that has seen £9m of initiatives to improve buildings and public spaces since 2002.
Community groups around “The Causey” have campaigned for some time to reclaim it for pedestrians and hold events on it and a temporary event was staged there in 2007 as part of the Six Cities Design Festival.
Dave Anderson, director of city development at the council, said: “A number of diverse communities inhabit the hinterland around the Southside and they come together in the shops, cafes and community buildings on Nicolson Street and Buccleuch Street.
“This area has been identified because of its heritage merit and concentration of diverse community groups and community buildings.”
Steve Hunter, manager of Scayles music shop on St Patrick Square, said: “It does look a bit hairy round here. I think people get up to the Royal Mile and think that’s it, there’s nothing more to see up here.
“Hopefully this could change that perception.”
Around £80,000 has already been pledged by the council but it may be able to put up further funding, while grants are expected to be made available by some of the organisations involved.
Councillor Jim Lowrie, the city’s planning leader, said: “If the bid is successful the Townscape Heritage Initiative will deliver considerable benefits through environmental and buildings improvements. ”
Email to a friend
Print this page- Family mourn death of Glasgow ‘fight’ schoolboy
- Rangers takeover: Duff & Phelps threaten legal action against BBC
- Today’s youth not fit to be employed, says car firm Arnold Clark
- Rangers administration: Fans fear Duff & Phelps claims could scare off Green
- Rangers takeover: triple penalty punishment enough, says Johnston
- Alistair Darling leads ‘No to independence’ fight over tea and biscuits
- Scottish independence: SNP flip-flops over Nato
- Scottish Independence: SNP ‘won’t be Yes campaign’s only voice’
- Scottish independence: Alex Salmond’s pledge to sign up 1m voters
- Today’s youth not fit to be employed, says car firm Arnold Clark
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Edinburgh
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Comments
There are 14 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
dgg
Friday, January 13, 2012 at 12:27 PM#12 Nicholson Square is the bit near the Festival Theatre. It's mostly grass, with a small play space, and they have opened up the railings and laid some paths. Result: it's use a lot (but maybe not in deepest January ...). The problem with St Patrick Square is that the fencing gives a negate message. I haven't tried gate-crashing, bit as it stands, we're not exactly welcomed in. If this is a matter of persuading locals and others that the area's worthwhile (and shopkeepers should think that, obviously, and should be doing their damnest) part of that is making the whole area appealing. Maybe one of the local restaurants or cafes could run some outdoor tables come the Summer? ================================================== I totally agree the cinema is a wasted neglected space if not an eyesore and needs life breathed into it.
dgg
Friday, January 13, 2012 at 12:19 PMFAO Fleurdelis - The Coulcil applied for a Heritage lottery grant way back in 2005 - the details are: Applicant: The City of Edinburgh Council --- Location: Edinburgh,Midlothian --- Local Authority: Edinburgh, City of --- Constituency Edinburgh North and Leith --- Programme: Townscape Heritage Initiative --- Award: £1,898,000 ================================================== The money was spent on the Boxing club, the temple and a few other bits and pieces - and I imagine they are using a lot of that money for the current work on the Shore, which is the only high-profile bit.
Vandeerbrock
Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 11:35 AMI don't think Nicolson Square should be modernised, sometimes a simple piece of green space is sufficient. If they mean opening it up then I can see it being used by jakes not because I'm being negative but that's what they are consistenly used for. Also, the area doesn't need revamped! Theres nowt wrong with it. The Odeon being re opened would be great though
dgg
Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 04:49 PMAye, the linked story (Lotto win) says ' following a major National Lottery award' which suggests it's a fact. ================================================= The Lottery website says money has gone to 'Out of the Blue' and 'mind2work' - no mention of refurbishment. I've dropped them a note, asking. ================================================= On the other hand do a Google for Leith Townscape Heritage Initiative It goes through a number of the projects mentioned in the Lotto story It's *possible* this received Lotto funding - and some of the stated projects have been completed, it seems. There was an original hit-list way back about 2005, probably in application for a Lotto grant, which has contracted over time ...
fleurdelis
Friday, December 30, 2011 at 03:57 PMNope, I'm Fleur De Lis, not Fleurs Deli. I agree that the area around Great Junction Street is pretty awful, but I think there are lots of nice cafes and shops around Leith and plenty of reason for locals and visitors to come this way. It's hardly a backwater, it's as much a part of the centre as Stockbridge and other areas that get much more attention. Seriously, though, where has £9m gone? Can the EEN investigate this? Can I request detailed information about it under freedom of information? Because I am really dying to know what they've spent that money on, or where it's gone if not here.
dgg
Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 11:54 PMTat? Scayles website says it's the best music shop in Edinburgh. You heard it there first. There's Ann Purna the restaurant as opposed to Annapurna the mountain. And the Kalpna. They deserve more passing traffic. Two veggie restaurants within 25 yards of one another? Pistols at dawn. To be sure the shops on the E side are nothing to write home about, but the area isn't a complete blasted heath.
dgg
Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 11:40 PM#4 if you *are* Fleur Deli then you've got cause for complaint with drills outside your door right now - in fact the only bit of the 2007 announcement that has had significant impact in the 4 years since. A bit more pedestrianisation on the Shore should help businesses from Easter onwards, but Leith Theatre (and the cinematheatrebingo hall on N Junction Street) lack any attention. The temple in St Andrew Place is another example of a neglected sold-off church. St Andrews Place consists of Leith Academy Primary, the temple-as-was and Leith Victoria AAC boxing - by all means tidy the area for the benefit of residents but I can think of no reason for outsiders to visit: it's a backwater. Maybe they will pedestrianise Bernard Street if they ever get the docks by-pass built! At the moment it's a lorry bottleneck. A lot of muddled thinking then and now with Leith plans.
dgg
Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 11:23 PM#2,#3, the article talks about St Patrick Square. Nicholson Square is already open to the public, and used by students, mums and kids etc. So jakeys and bogs - you're taking the p. If everyone's as negative as you are nothing'll happen! (There are bogs at the W of NS, but no-one would have noticed if you hadn't mentioned it) ====================================================== Back to St Patrick Square - its amenity consists of some spring bulbs, some kiosks bearing a resemblance to phone boxes and a police box - and a fence that keeps people out. I guess a few residents have access from the back. Wasted space right now. ==================================================== W Cross Causeway traffic island is just that: a bit of tarmac with lanes all 3 sides. It's more blighted than either Square. The tarmac and one lane could go. Put in some grass and plants; don't concrete it again!
Jingsitsme
Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 11:03 PMWho pulled it down in the first place to the place it is today - the influx of corner shop owners who do not care about their surroundings. I can't think of a reason to visit these streets. Tat and more tat. I do however feel sorry for the few remaining shopkeepers who are there.
The Genuine Mario Antionette
Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 10:28 PMA couple of hotels would be an ideal boost to the area.
fleurdelis
Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 08:08 PM"It follows a similar initiative in Leith that has seen £9m of initiatives to improve buildings and public spaces since 2002" Really? Really??? Where exactly has that £9m gone? Because as a resident of Leith, I can't see much improvement. Waterworld closing down, shops closed down left right and centre over the last few years (and either lying empty or turned into more bookies that we need like a hole in the head). That big eyesore on Leith Walk, neglected parks and other public spaces, graffiti, rubbish, broken glass and dog sh*t everywhere you turn, we're lucky if our rubbish and recycling bins are actually emptied in our particular area. I don't know about the wider area, but my building is practically crumbling around us since the statutory notice office has been suspended indefinitely because about half the flats are rented and I can't landlords to cough up the money for repairs- I doubt I'm the only one who finds that a problem...WHAT have they spent £9m doing in Leith?
jingsmaboab
Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 04:45 PMIsn't the Nicolson Square "redundant traffic island" in fact the site of public toilets? Presumably these are now closed down due to local authority cuts. If these are to be demolished and a public amenity space provided, great. It would at least compensate for the loss of former public amenities on the same site. But at what cost to the public purse? I suppose in these privatised times if folk want to spend a penny, they have to be good consumers and purchase a pint of ale or a cup of coffee first, before they can answer the call of nature...
Logie88
Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 01:52 PMYes, Nicolson Square is much appreciated by the jakey community.
dgg
Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 01:34 PMThinking of reasons why people might visit, it's on the axis between the Festival Hall and the Theatre, it's a University area, there are a few decent places to eat nearby. But the shops and the surroundings look a bit mediocre, and I'm sure people who live there would welcome St Patrick Square - a fenced off, dead area in my opinion - as a usable space, much like Nicholson Square just down the road, enjoyed by lots of people as a community garden in the Summer. ======================================================= West Cross Causeway is another matter - for it to become a public space it needs attractions first. The roundabout's got #56 next door - maybe they need more pavement room? But it's a bit bleak and could do with more 'public' buildings. Sadly its adjacency to the University works against it - the towers opposite kill one side of the road completely.
Page 1 of 1
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.