The trams may not be fully running but the show must go on

The partial closure of Princes Street continues to disrupt our transport system, with trams only running from Shandwick Place to the airport and bus diversions along George Street, with the projected date for reopening now the end of this month – although I wouldn’t hold your breath.

Despite the disruption, however, it is evident that the public will not be deterred from enjoying themselves.

This Friday Murrayfield Stadium will host another sell-out headline act, namely Bon Jovi. Scottish Rugby’s website informs that “BON JOVI, the GRAMMY Award-winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band and one of history’s most iconic live acts plays Scottish Gas Murrayfield on Friday 28 August. Marking the band’s much anticipated return to live touring……with a run of shows at New York’s famed Madison Square Garden before moving to Edinburgh, Dublin and London.”

Taylor Swift, AC/DC, Oasis, Zach Bryan and Luke Combs have all performed at the venue over the last couple of years and have all helped to significantly boost our local economy, particularly in the hospitality sector, with pubs and restaurants brimming with concert goers and this Friday’s concert should prove to be no exception.

As the festival season draws to a close all the indications appear to be that it has been yet another successful year, despite the rising costs associated with accommodation in the city.

As a former Festival and Events Champion, I was keenly aware of just how much hotels and B+B’s jacked up their prices to coincide with our summer festivals and unfortunately this practice does not appear to be on the wane.

Every year festival promoters issue warnings that Edinburgh is in danger of pricing itself out of the market as other cities compete to take up any slack, with Manchester touted in some circles as an alternative festival host city.

But for now we should celebrate Edinburgh’s international cultural status. Our festivals are renowned and continue to attract thousands of visitors, with the city’s population doubling in August.

But venues such as Murrayfield Stadium also make a valuable contribution to the city’s colourful entertainment scene.