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Drunks take over kirkyard after Ark closure

Drunks are turning Edinburgh's historic Canongate Kirkyard into a no-go area after the closure of a centre providing cheap food and shelter for the homeless.

Old Town residents and community councillors are calling for urgent action after the closure of The Ark drop-in centre on New Street, leaving scores of homeless people with nowhere to go.

Many Ark regulars have moved to Canongate Kirkyard and nearby Dunbar's Close Garden, creating a "threatening" atmosphere for local families. People drinking, sleeping rough and being noisy and abusive are said to be driving away local people and tourists.

The Ark Trust was forced to close the canteen and centre last month after the city council withdrew funding. They provided hot meals, advice and support to people every weekday morning.

Reverend Ian Paton, chairman of the Ark Trust, said the cafe had been a lifeline for up to 100 people each day. "This has left 80 to 100 people with nowhere to go," he said. "The Salvation Army have extended their service, but they can't cope with these kinds of numbers. There's nothing that caters for people in the early morning. This is not helping anybody. We are pursuing different avenues of funding and we hope to reopen later this year."

Full story at the Edinburgh Evening News.