New business boss sets out city plan to 'drive footfall'

THE new man at the helm of Edinburgh city centre's Business Improvement District is aiming to "drive footfall" to the city centre.

Andy Neal, an experienced businessman and marketer, took up the reins as the new chief executive of Essential Edinburgh on Monday.

He said: "I am delighted to be taking up what I believe is an important role in helping to shape the future of our fantastic city centre.

"It is my intention to build on all of the good work that has already been done, and to bring increasing focus to those key areas which deliver greatest value to the businesses in the city centre who are our levy-payers.

"That means helping them to find ways to enhance the environment in which they do business, helping them to find innovative ways to help reduce costs, and working with all of our partners and stakeholders to help drive footfall to the city centre through marketing and events."

Mr Neal takes over from interim chief executive Liz McAreavey.