Improving the appearance of run-down closes, creating a strategy to encourage a diverse offering of retail and the appointment of an area manager were amongst the priorities at a conference on the future of the Royal Mile.

Residents, business owners and council representatives also suggested the redress of space for pedestrians and vehicles and the introduction of stricter leases for shops, amongst other ideas for enhancing the tourist hotspot, during a day of workshops.

Chaired by urbanist Diarmaid Lawlor, the council-run meeting was called to address the state of the famous thoroughfare amidst fears its reputation could slip as a result of pollution and the overpopulation of 'tartan tat' tourist shops.

The conference follows the council's criticism by local businesses, who were recently hit by rent increase of up to 88%.

But despite this chair and experienced place maker Diarmaid Lawlor said the event, which was attended by around 80 stakeholders, was a relative success.

He said: "The day was about taking responsibility and actually doing something rather than reading a report or study. These people want to get out on the street.

“There's the idea that these things are purely the council's job but the council and politicians are elected by us so it's a collective process. Democracy is an active idea."

During the course of the day groups of participants brainstormed issues surrounding the key areas of pedestrian experience, retail offering and day-to-day management.

After collating the workshops' results, individuals voted on what they thought were the most important improvements to be made, which will form the basis of an action plan.

Four actions to take place over the next month were also identified, including a 'spring clean', to be carried out by residents and business owners, which neighbourhood partnership manager Mike Penny promised to take control of, and the formation of a job description for a Royal Mile manager, of which Tom Buchanan, convenor of the Economic Development Committee, would take care of.

In addition, Diarmaid Lawlor promised to take responsibility for a draft charter going forward and there was a call for partnerships between groups concerned to be established before the end of February.

Keynote speaker James Rebanks, cultural and heritage analyst and expert on the impact of world heritage sites, said he believed Thursday's action could be pivotal to the area's fate.

He said: “The Royal Mile is one of the most important areas in the most important city in Scotland. It's really good the powers that be and the stakeholders are coming together to discuss these issues.

“I've been listening to concerns with special things spoiled by issues like construction companies digging roads up or souvenir shops.

“But the city's world heritage status offers another opportunity. People shouldn't think about heritage as bricks and mortar but an intellectual force that can be used to drive Edinburgh. I think a lot of people will believe this when they see action though.”

One group who have long campaigned for the importance of the city's heritage, the Old Town Community Council, were notably absent from the meeting, which they claimed to be boycotting.

Julie Logan, a member of the community council, said it was due to the fact they had already attended a number of consultation events and felt they had not been listened to. Most recently the group lost out on a bid to save a number of council properties from sale to a private company as part of the Caltongate project.

She said: “I submitted pointers about what needs to be done and we've suggested that the council take another view on using their lettings policy to control some of the things they can't control through planning to encourage independent enterprise in the area.

“This has all been discussed over and over again but the council have decided to do things like sell off the community assets, which we discussed at previous charrettes. They've also pushed the rent up in shops.

“So is seems pointless to invite us to give our views when the Economic Development department and council administration have already decided.”

Responding to Ms Logan's comments, Tom Buchanan said: “All the things people have expressed as an issue here the community council should be interested in. A lot of them don't even relate to the businesses on the street.

“The council wants to listen to the community council and locals living in the area because they are the ones that have to spend their day-to-day lives there.

“We are trying to maximise return on our rentals but it's also about saying 'I'll take a reduction on this' if the business provides a particular purpose.”

Businesses and residents expressed mixed views during the meeting regarding the issues being addressed.

Gary Wilson, manager of Marchbrae clothing, said that while the range of retail could be more diverse, it did not affect his shop too negatively: “Tartan tat shops are what the tourists come to see. We end up doing quite well out of it, it doesn't hurt our trade.

“As a local it's not very nice though.”

Jen McCall, supervisor at Palenque jewellery, added that their rent had not been adversely affected and that they had a steady flow of customers.

She said: “We're not just another Scottish shop, our owner is Mexican. No one ever complains about the state of the street.”

Local woman Alison Blamire said a balance between residents and tourist needs to be struck: “We have to raise the game. It's really important that visitors have a fantastic experience here.

“But it's got to work for people who live here too. It's not a relic, it's a living, working city.”

IN DETAIL

In pictures: Royal Mile action plan