Square will recover from protesters

The business firm managing St Andrew Square said damage to the gardens after the recent Occupy protest is not extensive.

Essential Edinburgh said damage is mostly wear and tear and it is working with the city council to repair the grass now that Occupy Edinburgh protesters have left the site.

Chief executive Andy Neal said: “We are working with the city council, who are being very supportive, in assessing the damage to the grass and how best to put that right. We will not change the fundamental way we manage the Garden.

“We think it would be wrong to make it more difficult for the public to access the garden because of this occupation, so we will revert to the system which operated previously – with closing at 6pm in the winter and 8pm in the summer, when the gates will be locked.

“However, it is also fair to say that we will react very quickly if we think anything is happening that should not be.”