THE GEORGE STREET ASSOCIATION OF EDINBURGH
Wednesday September 6th 2006 at 10:00am
Held in Hamilton & Inches 87 George Street Edinburgh.

In Attendance:

Vinnie O’Brien Standard Life Investments, Chairman
Patrice McHenry (Secretary)
Denzil Skinner Hamilton & Inches
Dane Harrison LBP
Dorothy Anderson St Andrews & St Georges
Bruce Johnston LBP
Gill Hames Neal's Yard Remedies
Ian Broadfoot ECCM
Brian Smellie Grays of Edinburgh
Elinor Jayne BIDs Manager
Ian Webster NLB
Paul Philip Edinburgh Winter Festival, Senior Events Officer
Jane Rankin Phase Eight
Kat Mulligan St James Centre

2. Minutes of Meeting of 28th June 2006
The minutes were approved.

2A. Matters arising
There were no matters arising

3. Web Site Update
The website is almost completed, the launch planned October 2006, members are urged to look at the site in progress, go to www.georgestreetedinburgh.co.uk/mainframe.html, please send any comments or suggestions to secretary mailto:patrice.mchenry@hamiltonandinches.com
Visit Scotland have agreed a link to GSA from their Edinburgh website. ECCM agreed to keep GSA informed about upcoming events in the area. Some text is still required from contributors VO’B has contacted Peter Stubbs and this will be available soon. DA discovered the original GSA minute book with photographs of original Committee members, it was agreed to scan this onto the website. It is anticipated that the website will be kept fluent and current with regard to current events and lists of companies. Only members will have links to their individual websites.

4. Treasurers Udate
Denzil Skinner distributed accounts to date. There is a small reduction in members due to relocation. The accounts are healthy with sufficient funds to finance the website.

5. ECCM-Ian Broadfoot
• St Andrew Square – lease to be completed, planning issues were expected to be finalised by 8th September, a contractor will be announced shortly.

• Farmers Market in Castle Terrace has been voted best market in Scotland, GH asked if flyers could be given to GSA, IB agreed to send out.

• Castle St. it is proposed to hold an Eating Place market on the last Thursday of every Month, the next market being 28th September. A Continental market is taking place in this location from Sept 14th to Sept 17th. An event is in the planning stages for Christmas.

• Frederick St – the recent French market was very successful, final figures have still be registered.

• Fashion Festival – it is planned to hold the Fashion Festival again next year there will be an increased budget of £800,000, the event will be longer with more marketing. ECCM are looking for sponsors, ECCM are targeting top international designers. Further announcements will be made in November.

• Future events planned include - Dream Toys event for October 2007, Food Festival – June 2007.

• ECCM Safe City Centre Project – 1 year secondment officer from LBP specifically to be responsible for Retail Crime reduction.

• ECCM wish to see a review of the Pedestrian System in the City Centre, and City Dressing i.e. banners, flag poles etc.

VO’B enquired if there were any progress in finding a CEO for ECCM – IB replied there was no progress yet, but he hoped there would be an announcement soon.

VO’B enquired about kiosks in Castle Street as in the recent planning schedule IB confirmed that the planning application will not be proceeding in its current format.

ECCM will contact CEC with regard to parking updates.5a BIDs update Elinor Jayne BID Development Manager.

EJ presented BID timeline for development, see attachment, EJ will contact key businesses in the City Centre to gain their thoughts and views on ECCM issues and BIDs. A Focus group will meet in November to discuss exact geographical area of a bid, types of services and brand. Please contact Elinor with any comments, Elinor hopes to meet as many businesses as possible individually. GSA will assist by communicating to the members any updated BID information. A BID will be decided by the Business community, the City Centre Retail Forum is pro-active and keen to go forward.

6. Winter Festival
The Chairman welcomed Paul Philip, Edinburgh Winter Festival’s Senior Event Officer to the meeting. PP thanked DS for sending photographs illustrating examples of George Street appearing to be closed for business, The committee asked

• Signage be set up later in the day
• Traffic cones blocking access to the area to be set up later
• Traffic signs could be re-worded, specifically to announce George Street Open for business, re-directing traffic to parking locations.

PP noted these points and would investigate what actions could be implemented to improve signage, and will contact GSA with answers as soon as possible. Dane Harrison LBP will contact Divisional Operation regarding Traffic Cones.

PP advised that over 100,000 visitors come into the city centre over 4 days of the festival, many of the visitors from outwith the Edinburgh area, he asked if GSA members would think of an event/incentives to be held in the George Street area incorporating the German theme of the Winter Festival.

Details of this event(s) could be emailed to the Winter Festival’s database encouraging more visitors thus increasing revenue for the retail community. GSA will contact the members and contact Mr Philips with any replies.

Mr Philip reminded the committee that the George Street Christmas lights are due for renewal next year. VO’B requested this be added to the agenda at the October committee meeting, he will liaise with PP early 2007 in this regard. The committee then discussed small problems with the Christmas lights, PP will contact Ian MacFadyen to ensure these are corrected. The date to Switch-On the lights is Friday November 24th, VO’B will investigate raising the profile of this event. The Chairman thanked Mr Philips for attending the meeting.

7. Police Crime Stats
Insp Bruce Johnston LBP reported an overall crime reduction of 9% year on year, serious crimes up slightly averaging 2 a month, robbery figures down. Retail crime had the major increase, LBP are committed to reducing these figures and will work alongside Adam Conn, City Centre Safety Officer to build a database of shoplifters, the majority of whom are known to the police. Retailers will have access to this database. Using evidence including that from tourists, LBP will use civil and criminal ASBO to stop robbery culprits coming into the City Centre. Business House breakings increased slightly with the target being laptops visible in business premises.

LBP have 42 officers in the City Centre area with 17 of these on bicycles, the officers will be highly visible wearing yellow jackets, quick to respond and highly proficient.

Insp BJ has asked for two volunteer firms to agree to mount a Broadband Mesh Surveillance Camera on their premises with the agreement of the members. There are no cameras covering the George Street area at present. The cameras are capable of covering a distance of 1/8th of a mile and will be able to survey the whole of George Street, LBP are keen to use the cameras to safeguard visitors to the area especially during the night time economy.

The recent Smoking Ban has shown a few problems mainly concerning litter and noise, Litter is within the remit of the Environmental Wardens members are encouraged to contact Sgt Dane Harrison who will contact the Licensing Board with complaints of noise, drinking outside after 9pm, and table furniture being in inappropriate places. All licensed premises require a licence to place tables outside their premises.

8. Planning Apllications
Ian Webster, NLB compiled a report on recent planning applications from 27th June to 28th August
The majority of the applications were mainly cosmetic e.g. painting exterior of Starbucks, The Assembly Rooms applied for permission for alterations to accommodate antenna for Orange PCS, and also some minor internal alterations.

There is some movement within the adjoining streets from office to residential use, and provision of shelters for smokers.

The main planning matter is the withdrawal of planning application for change of use from retail to bar/restaurant for No. 79 George Street premises previously owned by Aitken & Niven.
For a full copy of IW’s report please contact patrice.mchenry@hamiltonandinches.com

9. Correspondence
There was no correspondence to report

10. AOB
DS requested that GSA apply pressure to establish Council commitment to repair pavements, the paving stones are in bad repair, no money appears to have been spent on this aspect of public realm for many years. VO’B and other committee members agreed, DS will lobby Cockburn Association and CEC on behalf of GSA. IB, ECCM will enquire the best method of moving this forward at the next Council Public Realm meeting. It was suggested that photographic evidence be sent to CEC with copies to be sent to Cllr David Guest.

IB Underground Parking (Trevi) still ongoing. ECCM will investigate what impact the tram system will have on this proposal. ECRF are also in discussion with TIE on possible upheaval due to Tram Installation, traffic re-routing, services re-routing, signage etc.
There being no other business, VO’B closed the meeting with thanks to Hamilton & Inches for the use of their premises.

11. Date & Place of Next Meeting
October 25th 10.00am Lloyds TSB, 120 George Street