This week saw a meeting between bosses at tie and traders in Leith Walk (some who claim business is down by 90% because of the tram work) to try and explain what was going on and to hear the concerns. However, most of the traders who left the meeting are still not convinced and were made angry by the tie representatives leaving the meeting early.
There were over 150 traders attending the meeting and they are still claiming that they are losing significant trade and that the package on the table to help struggling businesses is not good enough.
Willie Gallagher, Executive Chairman of tie, said at the meeting: “love to say that it will be all right but I can't, and if I did I would be lying to you. I do understand the complaints but I know this is not enough. There's little more we can do because of the budget we have to work with but there may be ways to stretch the way it's used."
Many of the traders who attended the meeting went armed with their books and receipts to prove that they had been badly affected by the trams. But what should not be forgotten is currently on the general high street many businesses are reporting that they are getting less trade as a result of a general down turn in the economy. So, there can be no proof that these businesses are being affected because of the tram construction works – which will, after all, be a major boost for the city once they are in place.
Source: The Scotsman