Homeless people in Scotland pushed out to make room for Taylor Swift fans attending her Eras Tour

Music

By Eileen Reslen

Homeless people in Edinburgh, Scotland, are reportedly being pushed out of the city in order to make room for the massive influx of tourists expected to travel there for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in June.

Shelter Scotland informed the BBC Wednesday that several homeless people the charity supports were moved via taxi to Glasgow, Aberdeen and Newcastle to free up accommodations. The latter cities are more than two hours away from their original stays in Edinburgh.

Homeless people who reportedly were offered temporary housing at hotels were moved out because there was a “severe shortage in accommodation caused by the concert.”

Shelter Scotland called it “a blatant injustice” for those affected to be “in direct competition” with tourists.

The charity’s director Alison Watson added, “Our frontline services are already seeing people in need of a bed tonight being told their only option is to leave of the city.

“A family going through the trauma of homelessness in Edinburgh should not have to move miles from their job, school, and community to find emergency accommodation.”

Per the BBC, Edinburgh City Council denied moving homeless people who were already staying at the temporary accommodations. It appears, though, that those waiting for a new spot were affected.

Housing convenor Councillor Jane Meagher said in a statement, “We’re aware of the situation and are working with the affected households to find appropriate, alternative accommodation.”

Page Six has reached out to Swift’s rep for comment but did not immediately hear back.

The pop superstar, 34, is currently in Madrid, where she performed in front of pals Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds on Wednesday night.

She wrapped up her last show in the Spanish capital Thursday and is then heading to Lyon, France, for the next stop of the international leg of her Eras Tour. Her first show in Edinburgh is scheduled for June 7.

Several Swifties from all over the world are reportedly flying into Europe for her concerts there because tickets are allegedly cheaper than in their home countries.

The Associated Press reported earlier this month that Americans bought 20 percent of the tickets for the
“Wildest Dreams” singer’s four sold-out shows in Paris.

About 10,000 US concertgoers reportedly also bought tickets for her Eras Tour shows in Stockholm.

Melanie Fish, an Expedia spokesperson and travel expert, said at the time that fans realized, “‘Wait a minute, I can either spend $1,500 to go see my favorite artist in Miami, or I can take that $1,500 and buy a concert ticket, a round-trip plane ticket, and three nights in a hotel room.’”

It’s unclear whether Americans are part of the many tourists expected to attend the Edinburgh shows.