Following an article which we wrote in 2025, we and everyone else in Edinburgh had expected the scaffolding to be removed from outside the former G&V Hotel on George IV Bridge soon after.
But nothing has been moved. The scaffolding remains in place. It has become such a fixture that most people ignore it.
But the continued presence of workmen, scaffolding and all the disruption this entails has led to one of the affected organisations writing to us to ask what is happening. The letter is below.
Work began at the former hotel in 2020, and was originally expected to finish that year. “Complex issues in the building had to be addressed before the scaffolding could be removed.
The problem with the scaffolding is that for safety reasons there is a small compound at the foot which encroaches out on to the roadway.
Council officers were to work with the owner of the site to “minimise the impact of the development on residents, businesses and other road users”. Communication was to be advertised on the site, with direct mailing and messaging – and it is a condition of the road occupation permit. From the terms of the letter we have received, this condition may have been breached.
We have asked Edinburgh Council for comment.
Letter to the Editor,
I am writing on behalf of the Scottish Genealogy Society (SCIO) with reference to an article in the Edinburgh Reporter by Phyllis Stephen, dated 23 January 2025.
The article discussed the scaffolding around the former G & V Hotel on George 1V Bridge.
We are located in Victoria Terrace and we are constantly being informed by visitors how difficult it is to find us due to the entrance to Victoria Terrace being impeded and obscured from George 1V Bridge by this development.
To my knowledge we have never been contacted by Council officers or the so called site delivery team to discuss the continued effect this development is having on us.
The dates provided in the article for the removal of the scaffolding and coverings have been greatly exceeded with no visible sign of action for their imminent removal.
What I would like to understand is exactly what action the Council is taking with the developer in order that they expedite removal of all the obstructions around the immediate area. Is it the case that the developer can just ignore the Council and continue to do as it pleases by setting its own agenda.
I will also be writing to the Council, in particular Cllr Cammy Day who raised the matter in August 2024 and Cllr Margaret Graham who represents the city centre ward for their comments also.
Yours faithfully,
- Debbie Craig
- Secretary Scottish Genealogy Society (SCIO)
