AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a man was found dead outside a pub in in Edinburgh.
The body of the 46-year-old was discovered in the outside basement area of the city’s popular Bert’s Bar in the early hours of friday morning.
William Street, in the west end, was cordoned off yesterday morning as police continued to search for clues into the mans “unexplained” death.
Police want to trace a man and woman who were seen talking to the man an hour before his body was discovered at 1.40am.
There was a small police presence at the scene yesterday morning, but no sign of any forensic officers.
Police Scotland Detective Sergeant Neil Spowart said: “We know that the male had been within licensed premises in the area earlier that evening before later being found in the external basement of Bert’s Bar.
“Our inquiries are now trying to establish his movements prior to his death and we are keen to hear from anyone who remembers seeing him on Thursday evening or the early hours of Friday morning.
“In particular, we would like to trace a male and female who are believed to have spoken with the man outside of the pub at around 12.30am.
“These individuals, and anyone else with information relevant to this investigation, are asked to contact police immediately.”
An elderly woman, who was allowed past the police barrier to get to a coffee shop, said: “That’s horrible. It’s been so cold these past nights. I come down here a lot for coffee and I have never heard of someone dying on the street. What a shame.”
The bar remained closed yesterday.
A spokeswoman for Maclay Inns, who own Berts Bar, said: “We have been made aware by authorities that a man has died in an incident in William Street, Edinburgh in the early hours of Friday morning. We are co-operating with the authorities and have no further comment, except to say that our thoughts are with the family at this time.”
