HALF of one of Edinburgh's main shopping streets will close to traffic as part of plans to transform the area for the Festival.
Outdoor cafes and bars will pop up along George Street and performers will provide live entertainment, while cars will be restricted to only one side of the street.
Essential Edinburgh, which runs the city centre Business Improvement District, said the move would allow the city to embrace cafe culture.
Andy Neal, chief executive of the organisation, said: "We are delighted to get agreement to these proposals.
"As well as the festival presence, the great food and drink businesses on George Street will have the chance to show what cafe culture really means."
Traffic will continue to flow west on the south side of George Street, from Frederick Street, and east on the north side from Hanover Street. Drivers will also be able to park on the road as normal during the diversions, which run from August 1 until 25.
Councillor Steve Cardownie said: "This development on George Street will help to bring back some of the fantastic festival vibe to the New Town and ease the pressure on other parts of the city centre."
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