Two businesses in the West End area of Edinburgh have announced they are to close and surprise, surprise both have blamed the current tram construction works for their decision. Both shops Cockburns Deli and Phone-In telecoms have been located on Queensferry Street and are putting their leases up for sale.
Iona Ritchie the owner of Cockburns has claimed that ever since the works commenced on nearby Shandwick Place her takings have fallen by 20%. Meanwhile, Atif Pasha manager of Phone-In said losses of £3000 a week have been experienced in the same time frame.
Sarah Cockburn the daughter of the owner of Cockburns has been left in charge of the shop and commented: We tried cutting staff hours to make ends meet but it's no good we still have rates and stock to pay. I've worked here for almost four-and-a-half years so I'll be sad to see it go. Mum's going to do office work, while I hope to go to university."
Despite the claims by both businesses that the reason they are having to move on is because of the disruption caused by the tram works many in the city are disputing this. This includes Joshua Miller, director of Charlie Miller hairdressers and vice-chairman of the West End Traders Association, said: The uncertainty in the economy has led to people being more discerning with their pound. You also have to factor in early Easter holidays and the cold, wet weather at home."
A spokesman from tie said that the support package being offered was doing all it could to help the traders: The scheme offers support, not compensation. A compensation scheme would involve costly investigative activity that would be a burden on resources for both TIE and the businesses in assessing and verifying losses. The Small Business Support Scheme put in place seeks to support as many businesses as possible across Edinburgh. We believe that the rules established for this scheme do just that. The scheme is unique, offering unprecedented support when compared with other cities that have invested in trams. Its recent extension, to include side streets and other businesses, has added an extra 200 businesses to those that are eligible."
Needless to say this is not the first time we will see complaints about the disruption and I would incredibly surprised if it was the last!
Source: The Scotsman