An Edinburgh restaurant has been forced to open a gate they had in place to allow pedestrians to safely social distance.
'McLarens on the Corner' have been told by the council they must keep the gate at the front of their property open to allow for the right of way that runs through it.
The popular Bruntsfield eatery sits at Holy Corner on the site of the old Bank of Scotland, which had always featured a small right of way that runs parallel to the main pavement.
However, locals had vented their frustration earlier this year after the restaurant placed a locked gate over the entrance to the right of way, forcing pedestrians onto the narrow pavement.
As the site is now a hospitality venue, McLarens have turned what used to be an empty area into a beer garden, with staff locking keeping the gate shut on either side of the right of way.
This move had caused concern with pedestrians in the area due to the need for social distancing, with Edinburgh council widening a series of pavements across the city to allow for this.
To receive one WhatsApp message a day with Edinburgh Live's headlines, as well as breaking news alerts, text NEWS to 07899067815. Then add the number to your contacts as 'Edinburgh Live'.
This week, it appears that the restaurant has now been forced to reinstate the right of way, with local organisation 'Living Streets Edinburgh' enforcing that the path is an "important route".
In a tweet they stated: "Good news on Holy Corner! It may be the shortest #RightofWay in Scotland, but is an important local route. We hear that @Edinburgh_CC is at last instructing McLaren’s to disable the gate lock and will take enforcement action if they don’t
"McLarens still seems intent on discouraging pedestrians, using tables, chairs and such like as barriers. But if you are in the area, please don’t be discouraged from exercising your *right* to walk through the site!"
