A ROW has erupted over plans for two new outdoor snack kiosks in the heart of Edinburgh's world heritage site.
The French Connection takeaway firm, which already operates in the Grassmarket, wants to open a new outlet outside the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street.
This has drawn protests from the Old Town Community Council, which believes it w
ould encourage antisocial behaviour and "present the wrong image" to tourists.
At the same time, Edinburgh University wants to open a snack trailer selling sandwiches and panini in nearby Bristo Square, at "attractive prices" designed to help cash-strapped students.
But both applications have fallen foul of city planning officials, who believe the mobile units would be "unacceptable" given their historic surroundings.
City councillors on the licensing board will decide whether to grant permission on Friday.
Jean-Francois Toulouze's French Connection crêpe and hot dog kiosks in the Grassmarket have operated for over a decade and provide an alternative, healthier post-night out snack to the usual diet of burgers, pizzas and kebabs. The Chambers Street outlet would be open from 8am until 11pm.
He said: "I fully appreciate that the stance is within a world heritage site, and, as such, a presumption against trading exists, but this is an area of public entertainment that already includes bars, Indian restaurants, pizza restaurants and various businesses. What it does not have is a pavement option offering fast, reasonably-priced food."
He added: "The main drive of my business is daily residents and tourists, not night-time drinkers. Alcohol fuels antisocial behaviour, not quality food."
Mr Toulouze said managers at the museum have told him they have no objections to the plans. But Samuel Piacentini, licensing member of the Old Town Community Council, has urged councillors to throw out the application.
In a letter, he wrote: "The facility will encourage loitering of persons whom have consumed alcohol within the area, and will also encourage antisocial behaviour."
City planners added that the kiosk would be in an "unacceptable position".
Edinburgh University's trailer would be positioned on the walkway between McEwan Hall and the Potterow student union building, open from 8am until 10pm.
Manager David Mulligan said: "This is the first time the University of Edinburgh has made such an application, as we only recently have developed a mobile unit which can be put into a location daily.
"We are able to provide a range of catering, including coffees and teas, cold drinks, panini, sandwiches and confectionery to both staff and students at much more attractive prices than perhaps charged by high street operators.
"It is in part a service to our students, who are finding their levels of disposable income being stretched further year-on-year. The other benefit is that the public will be able to purchase items which are attractively priced."
Mr Mulligan also pointed out that several other privately-run food and drink stalls operate in the area.
The full article contains 497 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
