Old Town BID Steering Group Meeting 24 June 2026, 4 Hunter Square, Edinburgh
Hi there,
Welcome to your first Old Town BID bulletin!
To be as open and inclusive as possible, you will receive a regular update from the Old Town BID Steering Group. This will include latest progress and next steps for the project.
Please share with your contacts to help keep everyone informed.
We welcome your views, simply reply to this email and someone will be in touch.
All information available on the Old Town BID website.
Latest: On 24th June, the Old Town BID Steering Group chaired a meeting about Hunter Square/Tron in response to concerns raised by businesses about health, safety and security in the area. The group will meet again wk beg 20
th June to report back on progress and assess next steps.
Next steps agreed:
IMMEDIATE: Police: from next week (2
nd July) an extra 45 police officers are being deployed into the city centre. 3 teams of 15pax. This will increase visibility and resource allowing them to enforce the law more readily and build relationships with local businesses.
Council: a City Centre Manager and a team of City Centre Ambassadors are being recruited right now, to increase the visibility and network to monitor behaviour and issues
Simon's Community: education and training being provided for Police to understand the Hunter Sq community and how best to handle
MID TERM: Council: revisiting the begging strategy and funding support for Simon's Community work to allow early intervention on poverty, homelessness and substance abuse
LONG TERM: Within the next 3yrs there will be a redesign of Hunter Sq
Consultation meetings with:
Chris Stewart Group
Old Town Community Council
Cockburn Association Appointed
Diane Smith and Jim Galloway as BID Administrators
Published results of initial poll with FAQs in response to comments raised, available
on the website here
What's Next: Secure funding from Scottish Towns Partnership and Edinburgh Council for next phase of work
Agree proposed boundary for the Old Town BID Consultation with businesses within proposed area
Consultation meetings with:
The Edinburgh Hoteliers Association
The Castlehill Partnership
Any other requested meetings
Until next time, Old Town BID Steering Group 24 June 2026
