The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce have called for higher levels of compensation for affected businesses during the construction of the tram network in the city. They fear that the Lothian Valuation Board – who assess all claims – are going back on the agreement to increase rebates for shops particularly badly affected.
Graham Birse, Deputy Chief Executive of the Chamber of Commerce, said: “Although we can see the benefits of the tram we were anxious about the effects on business during construction. At the time of our talks with the assessor, our interpretation of the agreement was everyone affected would get on average 20 per cent but hotspots such as parts of Leith Walk, Jane Street and Shandwick Place could expect more. If Shandwick Place, which is closed to all traffic, does not qualify as a hotspot then I simply do not know what will."
Graham Russell, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, added: “The whole business community has been working under the assumption there would be rate rebates of between 20 and 80 per cent, depending on the severity of the problems. If this isn't the case we need an explanation as to why. You can't tell me that the people on Shandwick Place or on Leith Walk have only been suffering average disruption."
Source: The Scotsman