Bonus for student digs operator

Edinburgh University has signed a deal to let student accommodation to tourists during the Festival.

The rooms will be operated under the Smart City Hostel banner, a city centre hostel owned and operated by Starboard Hotels.

In total, 81 rooms will be converted from single-use accommodation to multi-bed rooms. They will then be returned to their original state in time for the start of the academic year in September.

Paul Callingham, managing director of Starboard Hotels, said: “This unique model provides a perfect solution to a number of situations.

“The university is able to utilise its empty accommodation to drive additional income and take advantage of the shortage of value for money accommodation in the city throughout the summer by meeting that demand.”