By Sharon Wilson
Café 1505 on Nicolson Street is opening a new outdoor space this week .
The cafe is extending its outdoor seating into the courtyard of The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, which will be able to accommodate up to 100 guests for food and drinks.
Café 1505 “Al Fresco” will open to the public between 12pm and 8pm, from Friday 24 July until Monday 31st August.
Chris Wallace, Café Manager, said: “From Friday, visitors can enjoy food and drinks from our café and fully stocked bar, in a safe outdoor space. There’s a large marquee which hopefully will keep any turbulent Scottish weather from dampening spirits!
“We’ll be serving everything from pizza and nachos to tapas boxes. The team is really looking forward to recreating some of the magic we experience every year as a Fringe venue – albeit on a smaller scale.
“After 8pm, visitors are free to visit the bar and restaurant at our other venue, Ten Hill Place Hotel.”
Visitors will not be required to book ahead but will be asked to leave their contact details as part of the Scottish Government’s Test and Protect programme. In line with current guidance, groups will be limited to a maximum of eight people. All staff have received full health and safety training and social distancing will be fully observed throughout the venue.
Profits from the café go towards the College’s charitable objectives of improving access to surgery and saving lives worldwide.
The café uses seasonal produce and serves what it claims to be one of the most ethical cups of coffee in Edinburgh – Coffee Grown by Women, a fair-trade product which empowers female farmers in Mexico and Peru.
Ten Hill Place Hotel gave 2,137 free room nights to NHS staff working in Edinburgh’s hospitals between March-May this year.