The Scottish Government has pledged up to £5 million to help Edinburgh recover from the Princes Street fire.
Last month's blaze at 109-112 Princes Street seriously damaged the B-listed structure and resulted in the partial closure of the city's tram network.
Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth will confirm details of the package with City of Edinburgh Council leader Jane Meagher on Wednesday morning.
Funding, which will be administered by the local authority, will help to pay for work to make the building safe, as well as support for festival venues forced to move locations and for businesses suffering from reduced footfall following the fire.
Ms Gilruth said: “This fire has caused widespread difficulties in Edinburgh, not just in the city centre but extending north into Leith and Newhaven, as business and commuters adjust to the disruption caused by the fire.
“The Scottish Government has been determined from the start to ensure that we are ready to support the council in assisting those affected and the funding being set out today will help to keep the city moving and to adapt, while also enabling long term recovery.
She added: “The impact in the capital has been significant at a time when the August festivals are getting underway.
"The Scottish Government is committed to working urgently with partners to ensure there is the fullest possible recovery, including the reopening of Princes Street as soon as is safely possible.”
Read more:
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- 'Not a practical solution': Transport boss kiboshes plan to move trams via lorry
Ministers had been criticised for their slow response to the fire, which took place four weeks ago on Thursday.
The government did not comment publicly on the fire until last week, when The Herald asked if it would commit to creating an emergency funding package for Edinburgh, as it did following the Union Street fire in Glasgow five months ago.
“The Scottish Government was more than happy to find millions of pounds in the wake of the Glasgow fire. It should be considering similar action for Edinburgh,” Tory MSP Miles Briggs said last week.
“If we go into the Festival with this situation still ongoing, it will be a complete embarrassment for the city in front of the eyes of the world.”
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