Plans have been submitted to the council for this year’s Christmas market.
The documents filed by events company Underbelly, take the form of three separate applications for a scaled-back ‘Edinburgh Christmas’.
The three sites, spread over East Princes St Gardens, George St/Castle St and High St would see about 75 stalls with the big wheel and star flyer rides in East Princes Street Gardens and and ice-rink at the western end of George St.
The proposed application is for two years, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022.
Plans for the East Princes Street Gardens show that the lower areas would largely be left empty with the big wheel and star flyer in their traditional places, with stalls on the mound next to the Royal Scottish Academy.
The move follows outspoken criticism after East Princes Street Gardens were left a muddy wasteland for 26 weeks following last year’s market.
The second site would stretch up along Castle Street away from the gardens into the new town and then turn left down George Street.
This area would see stalls and a 500 square-meter ice rink at the Charlotte Square end of George Street along with stalls and the Around the Corner Bar.
The third area is the Royal Mile near St. Giles’ Cathedral with more stalls as well as site offices and stores.
Today marks the first time the drawings of the proposed sites have been made public but the plans have already attracted criticism from locals who warned that competition from market stalls and pop-up pubs will damage trade for local retailers already reeling form the effects of the pandemic.
Concerns have also been raised about the safety of the Christmas market, as coronavirus cases start to increase once again.
Organisers Underbelly have told councillors that they plan to use a queuing app to restrict access and prevent crowding in certain areas and make sure distancing rules are followed across all three sites.
Residents and submit comments on the plans until October 9 on the council planning website.
