Crumbling venues: 'Money will have to be found from somewhere'

While it is reassuring to hear Steve Cardownie promise that the 12m revamp will go ahead, it is obvious that filling the funding gap will have repercussions for other theatres and halls.

Already the King's Theatre, which urgently needs a similar amount spent on it, has been a victim of the desire to focus efforts on the Assembly Rooms.

Earlier this year, the council reduced its proposed contribution from 6m to only 2m, siphoning off half of the saving for the Assembly Rooms project.

In the current financial climate, it is unrealistic to expect the council to be able to carry out a whole raft of cultural capital projects.

While the HLF's decision is disappointing, it has been generally supportive of projects in the Capital, funding 335 at a cost of 147m

The revamp of the Usher Hall has all but been delivered, but the King's, Leith Theatre and even the Ross Bandstand all remain in need of urgent attention.

Although major works on these may have to go on the back burner, money will have to be found from somewhere to carry out essential repairs and maintenance on these properties.

They cannot be allowed to deteriorate to a state where the cost of restoring them at some future stage becomes prohibitive.

If the council feels it is unlikely to be able to do so, perhaps it is time it considered transferring the ownership into private hands. Someone must be willing to shoulder the financial burden of restoring them to former glories.

Late opening times

ALTHOUGH it is understandable that residents in parts of the Old Town are aggrieved over extended late licences during the festivals, it is important the issue is put in perspective.

Increasing the period of time where publicans can seek to stay open for an extra two hours for a few days should not prove a major inconvenience.

The days leading up to the official launch of the Fringe have become a key part of the festivals and preview shows generally offer excellent value for money and have become very popular. The ability to enjoy a drink after a show will be welcomed by most.

People who choose to live in areas with a high density of pubs should have factored in that they will be exposed to some late night disturbance. As long as the extended hours are policed properly and noise kept to a minimum, they have to accept this as the price for living in a busy city centre.