THE York-based operator behind one of Scotland’s top tourist attractions is investing half a million pounds in the site as it works towards doubling its portfolio within the next five years.

Continuum Attractions, based in Margaret Street, has pledged the £500,000 towards its history attraction The Real Mary King’s Close, in agreement with the City of Edinburgh Council.

The announcement comes as the attraction, which opened as a Continuum site in 2003, welcomed its two millionth visitor.

The Real Mary King’s Close, situated in the city’s Royal Mile, has seen 3.6 per cent year-on-year growth in visitor numbers over the last five years, welcoming more than 200,000 guests last year along.

Continuum Attractions is investing £500,000 into the development, which will mark a new phase in the The Real Mary King’s Close’s history.

The six-figure enhancements follow an investment into the site in 2013 as part of ten-year celebrations, and will see the attraction expanding its site with the reinstatement of original doorways on the Royal Mile as well as new visual effects and interactive features.

The chief executive of Continuum Attractions, Juliana Delaney, said: “Working in close collaboration with the City of Edinburgh Council, we are delighted to announce that The Real Mary King’s Close will evolve again for its 12th season.

“Our much-loved underground tour will delve deeper into the history of the Closes, a Scottish café will be opened, and most importantly, we will be reinstalling the two doors directly onto the Royal Mile. “We’re proud that we have almost doubled our turnover in the past two years, and as a result, look forward to adding to our portfolio and continuing to invest in our established successful attractions in the near future.”

Councillor Frank Ross, economy convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, added: “The Real Mary King’s Close is one of Edinburgh’s five-star award-winning attractions and this redevelopment will really help to boost the visitor experience.”

Continuum operates seven visitor attractions across the UK, including Coronation Street The Tour in Manchester and York’s Chocolate Story. The business is looking to double its portfolio of attractions within the next five years.