Businesses in Leith’s historic Shore area has accused council chiefs of neglect and waging a “war on business” during council-led infrastructure works which they say has devastated footfall and cut off local shops, cafés and restaurants during peak visitor season.
Ashley Harley, spokesperson for the 50-strong Shore Business Collective, said that businesses feel abandoned and ignored as pavement-widening and bike lane projects turn the once-vibrant Shore into what one trader called “a dead end”.
Ms Harley, Chief Operating Officer of Mimi’s Bakehouse chain, said: “It feels like a war on business. The council just don’t give two hoots and they’ve created a car park, a dead zone, which nobody wants to come to anymore.”
The Collective, which includes businesses like Victor Hugo, the award winning Roseleaf bar and Lime & Lind distillery, claims that council works have slashed customer numbers, disrupted operations and been carried out with next-to-no consultation or warning.
One major business, which described the area as a “ghost town” said it was considering pulling out of The Shore and relocating, saying the district “has all but been abandoned by the local council”.
Graham Parsons, owner of The Roseleaf, said the popular bar has been forced to close early, made staff cutbacks and increased some prices to remain competitive, but added: “There really are only so many rabbits we can pull out of the hat to reduce the impact of a building site directly outside your door.”
Daniel Shearon, co-owner of Tapa restaurant which has traded on The Shore for 16 years, blasted the closure of Coburg Street at Dock Place, as “completely nonsensical” saying: “Lind & Lime are a huge draw to the area and limiting access to a business of their magnitude and importance, when added to all the other actions, is beginning to feel neglectful, verging on being vindictive, to trade and businesses in this area.”
An initial meeting with senior council figures, including Gareth Barwell (Head of Place), Gavin Brown (Interim Director of Operational Services) and Ellen Williamson (Business Development), offered a glimmer of hope but failed to provide any tangible solutions.
“The meeting felt positive, but what came after was frankly pitiful. It’s a complete failure to grasp the importance of a thriving business community. The Sunday Times and Condé Nast wax lyrical about The Shore as a destination but our own council acts like it’s a back alley they can tear up without consequence.”
Ms Harley said there had been “zero business consultation” ahead of the current works – part of the council’s Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) and active travel programmes. Leaflets were delivered to homes, but many businesses directly affected were left in the dark until days before pavements were dug up.
The timing has only added fuel to the fire with work continuing through August with the Edinburgh festivals in full swing and considered the most important trading month of the year – when many businesses had counted on outdoor seating and tourist trade to boost revenue after tough years of COVID recovery, inflation and rising costs.
Ashley’s own business, Mimi’s, has traded on The Shore for 15 years. She said: “The line I hear over and over again is ‘too hard to get there, used to come – now don’t, can’t get parked’. On one day we took less than £200, a new low which doesn’t even cover our overheads to open.
“The way it’s being done is killing our trade and our trust. Running a business is hard enough – and they’re making it ten times harder. We need the Council to work with us to make the Shore the destination it deserves to be, to return it to the thriving area it once was.”
Edinburgh Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “I’m conscious that the pavement widening and public realm improvement work we’re carrying out will cause some disruption for local residents and businesses – they have my continued thanks for their patience and understanding.
“Unfortunately, by delaying these works until after August, we would only increase the overall duration of the project and cause wider disruption to all within the project area. We’re working closely with our contractor, Balfour Beatty, to ensure sure that the works are completed as quickly as possible. We’re on track to complete this latest phase of works at the Shore by early September.
“We’re also committed to minimising the impact on local businesses. The project team have been in touch with representatives of Shore Business Collective since before construction commenced, along with other key stakeholders, and site teams are in regular discussion with local businesses and will continue to support them in every way possible. We’ll continue to promote the Shore alongside Leith and the north of Edinburgh more widely as a fantastic place to live, work, visit and do business in.”
Think this is a result of one local Cllr’s hobby horse on cycling he pushed and pushed to get a continuous cycling link and has succeeded in disrupting everything. Bus stops have been affected also meaning further walks for the elderly and incapacitated in particular I speak of Junction Street/Henderson Street end and from what I can see the only alternative will now be to reroute the 16 permanently currently on divert up Giles Street to get down to the shore for while it can travel up from the shore it can not go down the route now because of the cycle lane and all the while the cyclists use the area for trams on Constitution Street and it is not just deliveroo who do it. so I do not think it is even cyclists that wanted this cycleway. The cycleway at the foot of the Walk has never operated as it should and still has the signs up it is not in use – it is a little dangerous I think. On a positive note the benches are now back at the foot of the Walk where a good view of all the shenanigans can be gained of people trying to travel about.
Disappointing to see owner of Cafe Truva in this – as someone who works just round the corner, I visit quite often, always on my bike. Feel I will have to reconsider now.
No surprise to see Mimi’s front & centre when it comes to complaining – they have an anti-cycling history.
@Mods – didnt think my post was unreasonable or incorrect. Poor decision to not allow.
Thank you – we are a very small team and are not “on” 24/7 hence the apparent delay in getting your comment posted.
Comments are closed.