When a group of locals attached signs and labels to the fencing around the former Royal George Cinema in Portobello on Saturday, they say they did so in the form of a silent protest.
Their purpose was to encourage the owner Buckley Building Ltd to tidy up the site, and they say they draw no conclusions about what the future use of the site might be. There have been moves by the owner to have the art deco cinema demolished and replace it with flats, but these plans have not been approved.
During the day one of the directors of the company arrived at the site and removed the signs, but did nothing to address the concerns of the campaigners. He said to one member of the public that “all the local councillors are on his side”. Buckley Building Ltd has been contacted for comment.
The local MP and at least one of the local councillors do not appear to be in agreement. Tommy Sheppard, MP for Edinburgh East, and Cllr Kate Campbell.
Later still on Saturday locals returned to the site and added more labels and signs asking for action to clean it up and make it less of an eyesore than it is considered to be.
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