The Edinburgh Briefing

Festival square in Edinburgh has always been noticeably redundant.

But new plans have been announced to build a cinema complex in a 121 ft building.

This week Conor Matchett is joined by Edinburgh Evening news reporter Caitlin Dewar and The Scotsman Arts Correspondent Brian Ferguson to discuss the 'Times square of Edinburgh'.

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It's a symbol of Scottish innovation, but one that we often take for granted as we travel across it on the train.

This week, host Conor Matchett quizzes Edinburgh Evening News reporter Elsa Maishman about her "favourite topic", the Forth Bridge. To mark its 130 year anniversary they look at some amazing facts and figures, discuss the human cost of its construction, and look ahead to the proposed Forth Bridge Experience.

But let's not forget the Forth Road Bridge and Queensferry Crossing, and how they impact the towns of North and South Queensferry. Being an adopted Fifer, Elsa discusses the playful rivalry between the towns.

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You won't be short for a place to stay in Edinburgh with hotels and Airbnbs on the rise. A report from the council estimated there were 61 new hotels in the construction pipeline, representing 6,338 rooms. But what does this mean for the city and its residents?

Host Conor Matchett and Edinburgh Evening News Reporter Elsa Maishman discuss how this rise in tourist accommodation is affecting the capital and of course the over-tourism debate that is rumbling on.

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What went on between events company Underbelly and Edinburgh City Council in the run-up to the Christmas market and Hogmanay fiasco?

After breaking the story of heated exchanges between Underbelly and the council in a tranche of emails released under Freedom of Information laws, host Conor Matchett is joined by The Scotsman's arts correspondent Brian Ferguson to discuss the so-called 'Christmas files'.

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Have you wondered how and why Princes Street is changing, and what the future holds for the famous thoroughfare?

Host Conor Matchett is joined by Edinburgh Evening News reporter Elsa Maishman to talk about the changing face of Princes Street.

Elsa discusses her annual audit of Princes Street, revealing that 6% of the high street is 'tartan tat' and more cafes and bars will open to align with council plans.

They also discuss the W Hotel and how it resembles a 'walnut whip.'

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Do you want to influence how Edinburgh might look in 10 years? That's the subject of this week's show.

Conor is joined in the studio by Neil Gardiner, planning convenor and SNP councillor, and Jo Mowat, Conservative councillor and planning spokesperson, to discuss the issues that coincide with the city mobility plan.

The guests debate how carbon neutrality will be at the heart of the plans, and how Leith and Granton will be prime areas for housing developments. Conor also takes the opportunity to ask Neil what went wrong with the planning permission for the Edinburgh Christmas Market.

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Edinburgh City Council has just published its 10 year vision for mobility and transport in the capital, with headline-grabbing proposals like extending the tram network, improving public transport and pedestrianising George Street.

But without any firm details on costing and funding, how realistic is the strategy?

This week Conor Matchett is joined by Lesley Macinnes, the council's Transport and Environment Convener, and David Bol, Edinburgh Evening News Local Democracy Reporter, to discuss the plans and the reaction to them.

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Underbelly, the company that operates Edinburgh's Hogmanay festivities (as well as the Christmas Market and multiple Fringe venues), has been subject to a barrage of criticism this year, with some claiming that the NYE party has become too large and too commercial.

This week Conor is joined by Scotsman arts correspondent Brian Ferguson, and the Edinburgh Evening News what's on reporter Caitlyn Dewar, to discuss whether the controversy is justified.

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Happy New Year to all of our listeners! To kick off 2020 we take a look back at 2019 and the Edinburgh stories that stood out over the past 12 months.

Host Conor Matchett chats to Euan McGrory, editor of the Edinburgh Evening News, and digital editor Joe Cawthorn about their most memorable Edinburgh stories from 2019.

They also pick through the most popular stories from the website, and discover that a surprising number are heart-warming rather than negative.

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This boxing day we have a great panel of guests, as Conor is joined by Labour MSP Daniel Johnson, Conservative councillor John McLellan and former SNP leader in the House of Commons Angus Robertson.

They discuss the future for Scotland, Boris Johnson in Downing Street, and whether the SNP now has a mandate for another indyref.

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