Protest over closure of two nurseries

SUPPORTERS of Princess Elizabeth and High School Yards nurseries were set to protest today against Edinburgh City Council's plans to close them down.

Council bosses said the nursery buildings would go on the open market for 150,000 and 100,000 respectively "as soon as the decision-making process is complete", if it is agreed they should be closed.

Critics fear that the price tags will not provide the council or taxpayers with good value for money, while the council said that holding on to the properties would cost it 1400 per month in security costs.

It said putting the nurseries on the market straight away would keep the costs to a minimum.

Parents and staff of both nurseries were expected at the protest, which was being held in conjunction with anti-cuts campaign group UK Uncut.

The protest was expected to start at 11.30am outside the City Chambers on the Royal Mile, after which it was set to target banks and high street stores.

The protesters are promising more demonstrations at the council meeting on March 10.