Princes Street, Edinburgh's primary thoroughfare, will remain partially closed into August due to a fire at the former Debenhams store, significantly disrupting services as the city braces for the influx of hundreds of thousands of visitors for its International Festival and Festival Fringe.
The City of Edinburgh Council stated that making the building safe and preserving its historical architectural features will take "several weeks." This ongoing closure affects bus routes, which are being diverted to George Street, a street typically closed to traffic in August to accommodate extended outdoor operations for bars and venues. The planned closure of George Street is now uncertain.
The fire has also impacted the tram network. Services will operate only between Edinburgh Airport and the West End, with no trams running along Princes Street towards Leith and Newhaven. Additionally, parts of Rose Street and Rose Street South Lane remain closed.
The disruption comes at a critical time for Edinburgh, which hosts major cultural events that draw a substantial international audience. The extended closure of Princes Street and its associated transport impacts are expected to affect both residents and tourists during the peak festival period. Efforts are underway to manage the diverted traffic and ensure essential services can continue to operate as smoothly as possible under the circumstances.