Plans to revitalise Edinburgh’s Princes Street and Waverley Valley could return to councillors before the end of the year after an earlier strategy was sent back for a more ambitious vision.

The proposals aim to bring new life to buildings along the capital’s famous shopping street, improve pavements and public spaces, and shape the future of Princes Street Gardens, the Ross Bandstand and Waverley Station.

Edinburgh City Council says an updated strategy could be brought forward by the end of 2026, depending on whether further consultation and studies are required. 

The council’s planning committee considered the previous version on 12 November 2025 but declined to adopt it. Instead, officers were asked to bring councillors and specialists in transport, culture, heritage and the design of public spaces together to help develop a “more ambitious and exciting strategy”. 

At the heart of the project is an attempt to make Princes Street a more attractive place to spend time, with a mix of shopping, leisure and cultural activity.

The earlier draft proposed renewing buildings for retail and leisure uses, improving streets and public spaces, and making the area safer and more accessible while protecting its place within Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site. Those proposals form the background to the revision, with the updated details still to come. 

The council identifies overcrowded pavements, congested crossings, poor drainage and limited places to sit and enjoy views of the Castle and Old Town among the problems facing the street.

Its wider ambitions include stronger connections between George Street, Princes Street and the gardens, alongside a pedestrian plaza at Waverley Bridge supporting an improved station entrance.

The future of the Ross Bandstand is another part of the challenge. The council says Edinburgh needs an accessible outdoor venue capable of hosting community events and larger festival concerts.

A previous £25 million proposal, known as the Quaich project, did not progress because of funding shortfalls and concerns about its potential impact on the city’s heritage.

A redesigned plan could change how people shop, travel and spend time on Princes Street. The existing strategy identifies several areas for change:

  • More restaurants, cafés and leisure uses alongside shops, bringing new life to buildings.
  • Improved pavements and crossings, with more seating and space to enjoy the views.
  • Better connections between Princes Street, George Street and the gardens.
  • A pedestrian plaza at Waverley Bridge, linked to an improved entrance to the station.
  • Improvements to Princes Street Gardens, including accessible facilities, planting and drainage.
  • A clearer future for the Ross Bandstand as a venue for community events and festival concerts.
  • Better lighting and maintenance to make the area more welcoming after dark.

These are ambitions already identified by the council. The outstanding question is how much further the revised strategy will go following councillors’ demand for a more ambitious approach.