Visit the west end wonder

Edinburgh's city centre gets a makeover in time for Christmas

Edinburgh’s West End Village has been given a makeover as part of the Appearance Matters strategy of the City Centre Neighbourhood Partnership.

The approach is built on the premise that relatively small but meaningful changes can have a major impact on the appearance of an area.

The neighbourhood team has carried out a number of pieces of work in the area from repairing broken paving slabs to installing hanging baskets. All of this adds to a more shopper friendly environment.

The economic development team has also been active in the area, improving signage and developing a website to increase awareness of the local shops.

Project officer Janine Fawns said: “One of the outcomes for the City Centre Neighbourhood Partnership is to promote, protect and support small businesses so when the traders association contacted us looking for assistance to make the area more attractive for people to come and shop, we were only too happy to get involved.”

Janine added: “We also removed graffiti from stone work and we are working on ideas to prevent graffiti from coming back. We’re hoping that traders become more proactive and report it to us so it can be picked up quicker.”

Michael Apter, chair of West End Traders Association and director of Paper Tiger and Studio One on Stafford Street, was delighted with the improvements made. “We’re pleased with the efforts of the Neighbourhood Partnership to improve the area,” he said.

“As part of a World Heritage site and Edinburgh’s New Town, it’s important this unique area looks good. We’ve got great shops, boutiques, restaurants and bars, and we hope it will encourage more shoppers to visit the area, particularly over Christmas.”

To find out more about what’s on offer in the West End Village, visit www.westendvillage.org