DINERS can enjoy a long-awaited al fresco meal as the first part of the Grassmarket redevelopment is completed.
The city council will remove barriers from the newly-pedestrianised area tomorrow, leaving space for dozens of tables and chairs. It has even granted free outdoor table licences to the businesses, to reward traders who have had to put up with disr
uptions.
Restaurant and cafe owners hope the large, "family-friendly", outdoor dining space will attract many more visitors to the area during the Festival. They had initially expected to have to wait till next year before applying for additional outdoor table licences.
The £5.1 million redevelopment is now back on schedule following delays due to poor weather and archaeological finds. Most of the work will stop during August, to allow traders to take advantage of the peak tourist season. Temporary tarmac surfaces will be installed on some parts of the street, to increase the area that is accessible. The project is set to finish ahead of the official opening in November.
Punters will be enjoying an early celebration on Saturday, when the Mardi Gras parade takes place in the Grassmarket. Top international performers will be bringing a carnival atmosphere to the street as part of the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival.
Paul Duncan, the owner of Mamma's Pizza and a member of the Grassmarket Forum, said: "They've made very good progress. I think most people are very pleased with it. We're just taking delivery of our tables and chairs today. We're very pleased with the agreement over the table licences. Most premises will be allowed eight tables and 32 chairs. We'll have to cross a carriageway to serve the food, but we have looked carefully at minimising any risk.
"Hopefully this will increase footfall. We want to persuade visitors and shoppers to come down from the Royal Mile. It'll be a family-friendly place, and we'll discourage stag and hen parties."
Bill Cowen, who runs Costume Haha, said traders were pleased. He said: "They're working very hard at the moment. The new trees look very good, and we're getting more in September.
"Our only concern is the reduced number of parking spaces in the area."
A council spokeswoman said: "Throughout the consultation, planning and construction periods we have worked with residents and traders in the Grassmarket to ensure that wherever possible we are creating a scheme which meets their needs.
"This does push our programme back slightly but we will still have the scheme completed in late autumn."
