A large section of pavement outside Edinburgh’s fire-damaged former Debenhams store on Princes Street may reopen by the end of December. Closed since the July fire, it has been replaced by a temporary roadside walkway. Engineers are stabilising the historic building, while reopening would improve pedestrian access during the busy Christmas shopping season.
Councillors in Edinburgh have approved a new tourist tax set to generate £50 million annually. Starting 24 July 2026, this 5% levy will apply to various accommodations, mirroring taxes in several European countries. The revenue is intended for infrastructure improvements, but its impact on tourism remains uncertain.
Tourists visiting Edinburgh today had to look twice on the Royal Mile, when filmstar, Vin Diesel shot up the road in his black Trans Am, pulling over and getting out on the pavements. However, he wasn’t on holiday. The Hollywood actor was in the Capital filming “Fast and Furious 9”.