Businesses in Constitution Street in Leith have moaned again this week that they are being badly affected by the tram construction works. One business have claimed they are 80% down on trade whilst the compensation plans have again been criticised.
The “Open for Business” signs have been criticised as they have been put up on a street that has been closed. The signs are part of the major campaign to help businesses in the city centre not lose too much business whilst the tram construction works are taking place over the next few years.
Graham Russell, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses Edinburgh, said: “It is beyond belief that they have put these 'open for business' signs on the street itself. They are tiny, flimsy yellow things anyway – we need something a lot more substantial at either end of the street which screams out there are businesses down there. It is not as if these works are a surprise. Why couldn't we have something in place for the start of work at the end of last month?"
Mike Connelly, stakeholder manager at tie, said: “tie is working hard with the businesses of Constitution Street to ensure the signage on the street meets their requirements. Clearly, some positions benefit some more than others and our frontline teams are striving to achieve the appropriate balance. tie believes that it has to strike a balance in as much as the local businesses know their own business better than it does."
One business in Leith – the Surichi Too restaurant – are reporting an 80% drop in turnover since the work commenced on Constitution Street. It is claimed that in the first week of the tram works nobody went into the restaurant for a lunchtime meal.
Landlord Herman Rodrigues said: “To serve not a single customer at lunchtime is crazy. The lack of parking is really affecting our takeaway trade, as well as our regular bookings. We are not ones for giving up without a fight, but it is hard to see how we can sustain such losses. I've been disappointed with the communication from tie. There has been no working during the weekend so why not re-introduce parking for these few days and allow me to try to recover some trade?" He claims that he may have to let seven staff go.
These complaints have come at a time when tie have announced they are increasing the compensation scheme to include an additional 200 more businesses. Previously businesses on side streets were not able to apply but they will now be able to if they are within 100 metres of the utility works or the end of the street.
Willie Gallagher, executive chairman of tie, said: “It was always the intention to review this scheme with our partners. Following the successful distribution of over £500,000 on Leith Walk, I believe that these changes, approved by the Tram Project Board and the City of Edinburgh Council this morning, will improve the already successful small business scheme. By extending the scope of the assistance to 200 businesses and boosting the Open for Business initiative, we are offering Edinburgh traders unprecedented levels of support when compared to other tram projects. The objectives of TIE and its partners have been clear from the outset - to assist as many businesses as possible. This scheme does exactly that. Any changes to the integrity of this scheme must be based on sound rationale. These changes reflect our experience of the situation on the streets and are most welcome. Alongside our business partners we wish to talk positively about the business community in Edinburgh."
But these changes have not been met with approval. Graham Russell again, said: “The changes are nothing more than a gesture. There is clear evidence that businesses along the route are suffering extreme hardship and we need more money to address this. Yes extend the scheme, as we have been saying all along, but you need to match that with more money to make a real difference to the shops that are suffering right now."
Source: The Scotsman