The Grassmarket

With its mix of residents, shops, restaurants and bars, the Grassmarket is a lively and unique place in the city centre. The proposed plans for the Grassmarket aim to make the most of the area for everyone using it while enhancing its historic charm.

The £5.1 million programme of improvement work is underway and due to be complete this Autumn. RJ McLeod has been appointed by the City of Edinburgh Council and Scottish Enterprise to deliver this exciting project.

See the most up-to-date news by downloading the September 2008 Grassmarket Newsletter. Or find out about the history of the Grassmarket and some exciting finds on-site with our Archaeology Update, or what we've dug up recently with the latest archaeological news.  

Open for business
The fine selection of shops, restaurants, bars and business in the Grassmarket will remain open for business during the work. Pay and display parking is available at King’s Stable Road, Lady Lawson Street, Victoria Street and Chambers Street. There’s also the off-street car park at Castle Terrace. The number 2 Lothian Bus stops in the Grassmarket.

To find out more about what's on offer in the Grassmarket, sign up to the GATA Grassmarket newsletter which is produced by the Grassmarket Area Traders' Association (GATA).

Resident's Parking
During the work, residents’ parking will be available in lower Victoria Street, Heriot's Bridge and King's Stable Road.

Public Consultation
Public consultation has been a continuous thread through the Grassmarket project since the first meeting in June 2005. The public meetings, consultation meetings with Stakeholder Groups and liaison with the Grassmarket Forum have been the successful means of communication between the Client Team (the Council and its partners) and the people who live, work and use the Grassmarket area. The next public meeting will take place on Wednesday 1 October 2008, 7:00 – 9:00pm doors open at 6:30pm. Please come along to view our tree proposals for this autumn and the long term future of the trees in the Grassmarket.

Events in the Grassmarket
Unique Events has been commissioned to plan a programme of events for the Grassmarket, and will no doubt maintain their strong reputation with exciting ideas, following up on last year’s successful French Market. Unique Events is a well-known company responsible for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations for many years, as well as many other high-profile events.

Any questions?
The project offices are in the City of Edinburgh Council Roads Department yard off Kings Stable Road. Please feel free to ask any questions or make any comments about the construction works by contacting:

• transport@edinburgh.gov.uk
• Ian Woodcock (City of Edinburgh Council) on 0131 221 9287
• Ewan Smith (RJ McLeod) on 0131 229-6948