Edinburgh's Christmas: Market opens despite last-minute snags

Crowds gathered outside the market which was finally cleared to open

Edinburgh's Christmas market has opened after council inspectors were satisfied last-minute snags had been fixed.

A building warrant had already been granted but the licence was only given following final checks.

The event in Princes Street Gardens will not have planning permission until after it has closed in January.

City of Edinburgh Council leader Adam McVey, however, had promised it would not open unless its officials were 100% certain it was safe.

• Christmas market did not have consent in 2018

• Christmas market 'will not open unless it is safe'

• Councillors to look into moving Christmas market

On Friday morning Underbelly secured building warrants for its structures - the completion certificates that the developer submitted were accepted by the council later that day.

The market is one of a number of Christmas events organised by Underbelly on behalf of the city council.

The event has faced criticism over a lack of planning permission and it has emerged that last year's market had no planning consent at all.

Councillors have asked officials to draw up options for next year's event - including moving the market.

Last year a report estimated the capital's Christmas events generated £113m for the local economy in 2017.

Between now and Christmas Eve the market will open at 10:00 each morning.

A huge lattice of scaffolding has been built to house the Christmas market in Princes Street Gardens