Tourism slump: 'Princes Street is often just a big let down'

As the slump has dragged economic indicators downwards across the UK, the general impression has been that Edinburgh is in a better position to weather the storm than most parts of the country.

While unemployment here has risen, the proportion of locals in work remains well above average. House prices have proved remarkably resilient too, and global firms like Amazon and Asda have shown a willingness to invest in the city.

But our report today makes it clear that there is no room for complacency here in the Capital.

New data from the council shows an undeniable dip in the number of shoppers in the city centre, with footfall in George Street down by almost a quarter.

Perhaps more worryingly, the Edinburgh Visitor Survey contains disappointing figures on numbers coming to shop here - and some negative feedback about what is on offer.

The good news is that this feedback also contains some clear messages about the way ahead.

Our tourists continue to love the Castle, our galleries and other attractions. But they are often bitterly disappointed by the streets they walk on between them.

Princes Street is often a big let down, especially to those who arrive knowing only two Edinburgh place names - our famous shopping street and the Royal Mile.

As Tom Buchanan points out in these pages today, this city is blessed with assets other cities would kill for. But we have talked too long about some fairly obvious structural improvements, especially Princes Street.

What's the point of advertising for a 110,000-a-year boss for the new Marketing Edinburgh agency when major parts of what he or she will be looking to sell is sub-standard?

Balance the books

The News has taken a realistic approach to the financial cuts that seem to dominate life.

While we worry that the coalition government's cuts programme which is driving the pace of change is too much too fast, we accept the need for a leaner, cheaper public sector.

The city council in particular needs to do things more efficiently to address its 90 million budget hole and to minimise future council tax rises.

But one service we believe most locals want to see preserved as much as possible is education - especially, but not only, in schools.

Some people expect the public sector to do too much for them, but the provision of good quality places of learning for communities at little or no cost can only be a force for good.

Keeping the city's 26 libraries open has to be a good starting point in that, even if it does mean the savings must be found elsewhere.