Dawe: Time for talking is over, I want action on Princes Street

COUNCIL leader Jenny Dawe today said the time for talking about the future of Princes Street is over and demanded action on its long-awaited revival.

In a speech to council officials and key players in the Capital, the Lib Dem leader said she was determined that "grand plans" for the city centre should not "fall by the wayside". A "string of pearls" concept has been designed to revive the street's flagging fortunes, under which Princes Street will be divided into sections, such as high street shopping, boutique stores, al fresco dining and a cultural quarter.

Councillor Dawe said her desire is to see the area around the former Royal High School on Calton Hill redeveloped first.

In front of Jonathan Guthrie, the council's city centre partnership director – who created the string of pearls concept – Cllr Dawe said: "The time for talking is over. I now want action.

"Everybody wants the city centre to be refreshed, but Edinburgh is great at talking, and grand plans often fall by the wayside. Having sold the idea (of a revived Princes Street], it is now time to deliver. In four years' time, we want to be able to look back and see that something positive happened."

Various proposals to revive the fortunes of Princes Street have emerged over the past five years, but with little progress.

The latest blueprint was published last year by the council, which is now in the process of drawing up detailed plans for individual "blocks" on the street.

The council will then attempt to attract existing owners or new investors to develop the blocks in line with its vision. There has already been interest from oil-rich sovereign wealth funds who want to buy up chunks of the street.

Ron Hewitt, chief executive of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: "We look forward to hearing what this action will be. (Talks] have been going on for 20 years. It really is time for the city to move into a much more decisive mode, and get away from endless debate."

Ben Reed, director of city property and retail experts Jones Lang LaSalle, said the biggest challenge is overcoming the "myriad" of different owners on Princes Street. But he said: "The council leader's comments should be welcomed.

"The under-utilisation of the upper floors of Princes Street buildings is just one example where the street is failing."

Last month, the former owner of Edinburgh retail institution Jenners branded plans to revamp Princes Street a waste of time.

Robbie Douglas-Miller, whose family sold the department store for £46 million in 2005, said that politicians and council officials have been talking about changing Princes Street for 20 years but "nothing has ever happened and I can't think it ever will".