Image courtesy of Occupy Edinburgh

OCCUPY EDINBURGH campaigners have today ended their occupation of a small section of the Meadows following negotiations with Edinburgh City Council.

Campaigners have left after a deal was struck with the council that will allow them to use council facilities for short protest events.

The agreement was made last night to avoid an eviction hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court due to take place tomorrow.

The council will also provide campaigners with two weeks of access to a meeting space and photocopying facilities.

It was also agreed that the campaign group could apply for a grant from the council to cover the cost of renting office space.

Mike Ferrigan, a member of Occupy Edinburgh who met with the council, told the Edinburgh Evening News that the campaign was not over and was moving into a “different phase.”

He said, “[The council] were very positive about us having outreach camps. For example, on Friday and Saturday nights we’d like to hold workshops and entertainments.

“We’re moving into a different phase and we have lots of plans to spread the message.”

The Edinburgh section of the global Occupy campaign had previously occupied St Andrews Square in the city centre and relocated to the Meadows at the end of January staying there for 11 days.