An owner of a small Edinburgh police box turned cafe has been left furious after struggling to reopen her business.
Belinda Boyd, who operates The Chocolate Box at George Square, claims that Underbelly has left her business 'looking like a building site' as the festival company races to build their event space for this week's Fringe launch.
She told Edinburgh Live that she has been trying to reopen her business for today (August 1), but hasn't been able to due to equipment and tools left around the police box.
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The cafe owner alleges that she has not been contacted by Underbelly regarding this and since returning to her police box at the start of this week, 'more pallets of equipment surround my business'.
She argues that Underbelly were asked to remove items from around the police box yesterday so that it could be painted but had to wait until today for the equipment to be shifted.
She said: "I operate a small police box in George Square, which we have been trying to get ready to reopen for the 1st of August after being closed because of Covid.
"I was told that Underbelly would not be using The park at George Square but last Monday (26 July) Underbelly had arrived and started bringing in the forklifts, the trucks and putting up the barriers.
"I had not been contacted by the company and when I approached them about this, they claimed to had sent an email. ( which I never received).
"Over this week, more pallets of equipment surrounds my business making it harder everyday to gain access.
"Underbelly has total disrespect for my business and I am perplexed that they still continue to get away with theses tactics."
A spokesperson for Underbelly said: "Chocolate Box has been closed during the pandemic and was closed when we started work in George Square Gardens last week.
"However, we are working hard to minimise any disruption in the areas that we are working in, and to create welcoming areas for when we open for the Fringe later this week. We hope the Chocolate Box will reopen and also welcome visitors back."
