Essential Edinburgh

A view of right along Princes Street Picture: Jane Barlow

'Upgrading city centre should be top priority' says business boss

The popular Square Cinema is back for its 15th year.

Iconic Back To The Future car to star at free outdoor film fest

Over 100 bars across the city offering £5 cocktails for the duration of the 10-day festival

The Edinburgh Cocktail Week programme for 2025 has been announced, reaffirming i...

Square Cinema

Square Cinema returns to St Andrew Square Garden for a FREE outdoor film festiva...

Square Cinema 2025, Essential Edinburgh

Square Cinema returns to St Andrew Square Garden for a FREE outdoor film festiva...

Why Princes Street could be turning a corner, at long last Jeremy Grant

Exclusive Revealed: China diplomat met Scottish minister before Taiwan deal scrapped

'It is always a pleasure to partner with amazing businesses... to make truly meaningful change that Cyrenians can’t achieve alone,' says Hutton. Picture: contributed.

Interview: Amy Hutton, director of services at Edinburgh-based charity Cyrenians

Exclusive Tourist tax risks creating ‘negative and unwelcoming’ image of Scotland

Property consultancy JLL has hoisted the 'for sale' sign for the former department store in one of Scotland's most famous locations (file image). Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images.

Former Debenhams on Edinburgh's Princes Street put on sale by owner L&G

The Melville monument in St Andrew Square. Photo: Lisa Ferguson

Removal of controversial plaque from Henry Dundas statue reported to police

Two of the photographs in the Fringe Firsts at 50 exhibition on the south side of St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, from left to right: Sam Heughan in Outlying Islands by David Greig; Elizabeth MacLennan in Hyperlynx by John McGrath

Photography exhibition charts 50 Years of the Fringe Firsts

Cris Peploe and Martha Haskins pose with a large-scale version of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023 programme cover in Anchor Close in the city's Old Town. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Student housing helps Fringe fend off accommodation ‘perfect storm’

Plans for the redesigned George Street.

Safety concerns over plans to pedestrianise Edinburgh city centre street

A weekend of free film screenings will be staged in St Andrew Square in Edinburgh later this month.

Edinburgh to revive free outdoor cinema screenings ahead

Ukrainian and Czech circus artists performed at the McEwan Hall during last year's Fringe. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

Edinburgh Festival Fringe acts may be staying in schools, ships and empty shops

Edinburgh's St Andrew Square looking festive

Christmas and New Year festivals are crucial for Edinburgh city centre - Roddy S...

Roddy Smith, CEO, Essential Edinburgh

Stance on business rates taken by UK Chancellor must be matched or bettered

Make Christmas full of festive cheer with a visit to Edinburgh

Ad Feature Get set for Edinburgh’s Christmas market and programme of events

clean team in action on Rose Street.

More support for business is needed on top of energy aid - Roddy Smith

Cast and crew from The Ladyboys of Bangkok have been clearing rubbish up outside their venue on Lothian Road. Picture: Duncan McGlynn

Festivalgoers urged to take their rubbish home during Edinburgh bin strike

Shopping for visitors to UK destinations such as Edinburgh’s Royal Mile is now 20 per cent more expensive than in every other EU country

Why tourists are taking their money elsewhere - Roddy Smith

Roddy Smith, CEO Essential Edinburgh

Edinburghh city centre's got a Spring in its step again - Roddy Smith

Ooutdoor seating areas are an important part of generating the atmosphere in the city centre

Edinburgh’s lining up a summer to savour - Roddy Smith

The Thai Express Kitchen recently opened at the St James Quarter in Edinburgh. Picture: Ian Georgeson Photography

Edinburgh launches new campaign to revive city centre work gatherings

Some Edinburgh business-owners would like to see some Christmas market activity in the Grassmarket, citing its many food outlets and independent shops, for example (file image). Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images.

Is Edinburgh's Christmas market a gift - or a curse - for local firms?

This year's Hogmanay street party could be the last large-scale new year celebration staged in Edinburgh city centre. Picture: Wullie Marr

Business leaders urge Edinburgh to save Hogmanay street party and make winter fe...

Edinburgh's Christmas festival will be expanding onto George Street this year.

Edinburgh to get 'Lidl on Ice' attraction on George Street for Christmas

The new attraction is seen as 'a terrific, positive signal that Edinburgh is very much open for business'. Picture: Diageo.

How will Edinburgh's new Johnnie Walker attraction reshape the city's West End?

Roddy Smith, CEO Essential Edinburgh

Office workers are the missing link in city centre recovery - Roddy Smith

The first phase of the new St James Quarter.

Fast forward to a fantastic future - Roddy Smith

A sign in the former Next store directs customers to the St James Quarter Picture: Lisa Ferguson

What's the future for Princes Street?

It was announced in January that Debenhams in Edinburgh would close for good, but regeneration plans could see it turned into a hospitality hub

Edinburgh's Debenhams could become £50million hotel and hospitality ‘hub’

Edinburgh Festival Fringe entertainers perform on the Royal Mile on August 5, 2019. Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

This year's festivals could be smaller, but no less vibrant - Roddy Smith

Council plan should lead to more al fresco dining

Council to waive permit fees for outdoor bars in Edinburgh

Roddy Smith, CEO Essential Edinburgh

Outdoor space essential if hospitality to re-open in Edinburgh - Roddy Smith

George Street seating area

Council unveils ‘European boulevard feel’ for Edinburgh's George Street

St James Quarter development. Picture: LISA FERGUSON

‘Adaptive retail’ space innovation business Sook is coming to Edinburgh

Jenners has been an iconic presence on Princes Street for as long as anyone can remember

Confusion over Jenners future

Roddy Smith, CEO Essential Edinburgh

Roddy Smith: Capital economy needs real help after Covid crisis

Historic features of the B-listed building would be preserved

Plans submitted to redevelop Debenhams store

Roddy Smith, CEO Essential Edinburgh

It’s more vital than ever before that we get behind our great city centres
Suffice to say no one needs me to remind everyone (again) of the issues facing Edinburgh’s city centre throughout this pandemic. The loss of established retaile...

The rides and market stalls that lit up the city centre last Christmas will be absent this year but businesses still hope to create a festive environment

There are still good reasons to visit Princes Street this Christmas time - Roddy...

Edinburgh's Christmas festival is said to have been worth more than £110 million to the city's economy in recent years. Picture: Ian Georgeson

Edinburgh to stage 'digital Christmas market' a year on from Princes Street Gard...

The Piper Bar in Glasgow is among the hundreds of pubs in Glasgow which have been forced to close during the ongoing coronavirus restrictions. Picture: John Devlin

Scottish hospitality businesses and workers to mount 'save our jobs' campaign

Colin Munro, managing director of Miconex, at a Perth business.

13 Scottish high streets set for boost with website that encourages local spend

The traditional markets along Princes Street Gardens. Picture: Ian Georgeson

New lights for Edinburgh to 'save Christmas' after festival cancellation

Roddy Smith, CEO Essential Edinburgh

Promoting our historic city centre is vital for Edinburgh’s recovery – Roddy Smi...

Roddy Smith, CEO Essential Edinburgh

Ending tax-free shopping will harm tourism sector – Roddy Smith

Streets that would usually be packed with Festival-goers are eerily quiet (Picture: Lisa Ferguson)

We’ll come back strong from this eerie August – Cammy Day

Roddy Smith, CEO Essential Edinburgh.

If Edinburgh city centre suffers, all of Scotland will suffer – Roddy Smith

Tourism and business leaders believe cultural events could still help Edinburgh's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic this summer. Picture: David Monteith-Hodge

Tourism leaders want Edinburgh festivals reboot if lockdown is lifted

Roddy Smith, CEO Essential Edinburgh

Edinburgh tourism gripes don’t tell the whole story – Roddy Smith

Roddy Smith says Edinburgh's Christmas festivites must not be diluted. Picture: Jon Savage

Why we need to embrace Edinburgh’s Christmas, not fight it – Roddy Smith

Around 88,000 people were said to have flocked to the opening day of Edinburgh's Christmas market on Saturday.

City centre chief accuses Edinburgh's Christmas market critics of 'jumping on a ...

Skaters on the ice rink in St Andrew Square.

Pic: Neil Hanna Photography

Edinburgh’s festive skating axed as property owners ban it from St Andrew Square

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Scotland has failed to meet its latest target for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the latest official figures show. Picture: John Giles/PA Wire

Fail: Scotland misses climate target

Pro-independence protesters with Scottish Saltire flags (top) march for Scottish independence. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

Yousaf: Growing popular support for Yes the only way to Scottish independence

Nadine Dorries. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

SNP MP cleared of bullying Nadine Dorries