Edinburgh Fringe prepares for rat plague and ‘ugly mess’ as bin strike looms
July 16, 2024
Edinburgh Fringe prepares for rat plague and ‘ugly mess’ as bin strike looms
by theipaper
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Business owners fear a looming bin strike could transform Edinburgh into an “ugly mess” plagued by rats and turn tourists away during the Fringe Festival in August.
Unions representing refuse workers say a repeat of 2022’s bin strike in the city – which saw mountains of rubbish and an increase in rats running around the streets – is likely to go ahead next month.
Pest controllers told i they expect a return of the vermin epidemic seen when refuse workers took industrial action over low pay during the festival two years ago.
The 12-day bin strike during August 2022 saw some Edinburgh residents store rubbish in their baths. Others reported seeing seagulls divebomb to feed on the rats crawling over the bins.
Nikk Stevens, a manager at the Cold Town House bar and restaurant in Edinburgh’s popular Grassmarket area, said the experience of two years ago was “horrific”.
Dreading a possible repeat, the bar manager told i: “I’m worried it will be rats left, right and centre again. It will be grim for the hospitality sector, because who is going to want to sit outside for a meal?”
Mr Stevens warned that some repulsed tourists might be put off from making future trips to Scotland’s capital.
“It’s going to look and smell disgusting,” he said. “Some international tourists might think it’s what we normally do here. It’s not exactly showcasing the city at its best.
“Some might see photos of Edinburgh – and see the old town turned into what is effectively a giant skip – and decide they don’t want to come here.”
John McKee, owner of Hanover Healthfoods, just off the busy shopping area of Princes Street, said businesses would be at least able to rely on private contractors to take their own rubbish away.
But he is still worried that huge piles of uncollected waste strewn around public bins will drive regular customers away, even as huge crowds of visitors continue to turn up for the festival.
“It’s a very disruptive to have such an ugly mess,” said Mr McKee. “I’m worried about the visual impact, the smell and the rats. That was all pretty appalling last time.”
“Lots of businesses are still recovering from Covid,” he added. “So it’s not good for the image of the city when so many tourists are here. Some who are flexible might decide to go down to London instead.”
Marina Crolla, co-owner of La Locanda restaurant near the Royal Mile, said she was anxious about the impact on trade. “It causes chaos – the vermin and the smell,” she told i.
But the Italian restaurant owner is sympathetic to refuse workers’ demands for better pay.
“It’s ridiculous in these times, in 2024, that people still have to strike for more pay. If everything is going up in price so should earnings. Simple.”
1 comment
Business owners fear a looming bin strike could transform Edinburgh into an “ugly mess” plagued by rats and turn tourists away during the Fringe Festival in August.
Unions representing refuse workers say a repeat of 2022’s bin strike in the city – which saw mountains of rubbish and an increase in rats running around the streets – is likely to go ahead next month.
Pest controllers told i they expect a return of the vermin epidemic seen when refuse workers took industrial action over low pay during the festival two years ago.
The 12-day bin strike during August 2022 saw some Edinburgh residents store rubbish in their baths. Others reported seeing seagulls divebomb to feed on the rats crawling over the bins.
Nikk Stevens, a manager at the Cold Town House bar and restaurant in Edinburgh’s popular Grassmarket area, said the experience of two years ago was “horrific”.
Dreading a possible repeat, the bar manager told i: “I’m worried it will be rats left, right and centre again. It will be grim for the hospitality sector, because who is going to want to sit outside for a meal?”
Mr Stevens warned that some repulsed tourists might be put off from making future trips to Scotland’s capital.
“It’s going to look and smell disgusting,” he said. “Some international tourists might think it’s what we normally do here. It’s not exactly showcasing the city at its best.
“Some might see photos of Edinburgh – and see the old town turned into what is effectively a giant skip – and decide they don’t want to come here.”
John McKee, owner of Hanover Healthfoods, just off the busy shopping area of Princes Street, said businesses would be at least able to rely on private contractors to take their own rubbish away.
But he is still worried that huge piles of uncollected waste strewn around public bins will drive regular customers away, even as huge crowds of visitors continue to turn up for the festival.
“It’s a very disruptive to have such an ugly mess,” said Mr McKee. “I’m worried about the visual impact, the smell and the rats. That was all pretty appalling last time.”
“Lots of businesses are still recovering from Covid,” he added. “So it’s not good for the image of the city when so many tourists are here. Some who are flexible might decide to go down to London instead.”
Marina Crolla, co-owner of La Locanda restaurant near the Royal Mile, said she was anxious about the impact on trade. “It causes chaos – the vermin and the smell,” she told i.
But the Italian restaurant owner is sympathetic to refuse workers’ demands for better pay.
“It’s ridiculous in these times, in 2024, that people still have to strike for more pay. If everything is going up in price so should earnings. Simple.”