Readers' Best Comments

Critics round as big screen's World Cup dream is kicked into touch while there's fears as the voluntary sector faces cuts

There'll be no football on the big telly in Festival Square. Police and council chiefs fear lager louts will cause trouble. Wimbledon will take centre stage.

Their are many decent people in the city, but the ones who turn up drunk to watch a game may cause problems, plus the litter.

The Real Alfonsa Pedrosa, edinburgh

What's the point of this big screen if it's not to show events? If it's going to show Wimbledon, then expect the square to be covered in Pimms-louts and litter from strawberries and cream containers.

just-whatever-eh

I thought local byelaws banned the drinking of alcohol in public places – enforce the ban on alcohol and enable people to enjoy England getting stuffed in World Cup.

Nitpicking, Edinburgh

This screen is a total waste of money, why would anyone want to travel to the city centre to watch a large screen in a uncomfortable square with no sound, seats or toilets? I think the picture in the article shows just how much public interest there is in watching the screen.

AlanW, Edinburgh

I guess they're worried about the games England are involved in attracting trouble. The simple solution would therefore be not to show the England games, but show the rest. I can't imagine too many people considering rioting while watching Honduras v Chile at 1230 on a Wednesday afternoon, for example.

digestive biscuits V

What a sad indictment on our country that in our capital we cannot show a major world sporting event for fear of drunken trouble, and that our bile is directed towards England.

calum

I hate staying in this city sometimes. This is a cop out by the council. Should we ban all sporting events where attendees are drinking? You'll get more trouble at the street party than this. Ban that too. Ban them all. Idiots.

Sparts

The city's voluntary sector must brace itself for more funding cuts, the council has warned.

Why is that every organisation expects taxpayers to fund their interests? Some areas around Edinburgh seem to have a permanent outstretched hand for decades. These cash dollops often appear to do little to really help locals but often provide plenty for a paid workforce in the third sector. Unfortunately the money tree has now been stripped bare. Priorities seem to focus nowadays around public sector pension shortfalls, not to mention the trams.

Mallory, Edinburgh

The council should return to its real job. Providing basic services to the people of the city, who pay for its existence to that end.

Spathiphyllum

If the council cuts grants to voluntary organisations, it will be the most vulnerable in the community that will suffer.

jamboloon, edinburgh