The fire which caused extensive damage to the former Debenhams building on Princes Street has led to part of the street remaining closed even weeks afterwards.
The effect extends not only to Princes Street itself, but also businesses on Rose Street and as far as Leith and Newhaven, since the trams have not run the full length of the route for almost a month.
Now that the work is beginning to shore up the façade, making it safe to bring trams and buses back onto the street, thoughts are turning to the cost of the closure and how to support businesses affected by the blaze.
Within a day or two the luxury hotel at number 100 Princes Street had reopened, although its guests had been evacuated during the night for safety.
The large department store, Boots, was initially closed but is now open once again after several weeks. The Heras fencing on Princes Street has been pushed back to allow shoppers access to the shop, and another new development in the last few days has been the appearance of a large crane on the street as work begins to make the building safe.
The council estimates that it will take three weeks to finish works on the façade (some of which involves parts of the building being dismantled by hand), during which time the street will remain closed. It has been decided that even towing a tram along the opposite side of the street would not be safe. The Chief Operating Officer of Edinburgh Trams, Willie Hamilton, explained the problems.
He said: “Every available option has been explored to restore tram services to the northern section of the route. Unfortunately, transporting trams by alternative means is not currently a practical solution. Trams also require regular cleaning, routine maintenance and secure overnight storage and we do not currently have suitable long-term facilities at Newhaven to support these essential operational requirements.”
Cllr Katrina Faccenda who represents the Leith Ward has spoken out asking for more buses to be put on for her constituents in Leith. She said: “As many of you will know I have already been in touch with Lothian Buses about extra services and shuttle services etc. To be perfectly honest I have not had a very promising response to that at the moment, but I know that Lothian Buses are working under pressure. I also know that the number of buses is not infinite as is the number of drivers as well and they are working at capacity.
“Maybe we do need a little bit of external help here. Maybe The Scottish Government could make one of their priorities to look at what kind of extra bus services we could have running between the city centre and Leith until the trams are up and running again. Maybe we could have shuttle services focused on the Shore and Newhaven. That would certainly help the businesses who are noticing the difference of not having the trams running.”
Cllr Faccenda also suggested an intermediate stop on Princes Street for people with limited mobility to help them use the buses more easily. But she agreed that it is “in noone’s interest” to have trams running when it is not safe to do so.
Lothian Buses have said: “Although the road closure is confined to Princes Street, the resulting congestion unfortunately is having a much wider impact across our network. While we are doing everything we can to minimise disruption, some delays are unavoidable until the closure is lifted and traffic conditions return to normal.”
Government support
The Scottish Government has been criticised over its apparent inaction in relation to the buildings and businesses affected by fire on Princes Street.
Certainly the First Minister has not visited the site – as he did in Glasgow following the Union Street fire. No offers of funding have been forthcoming as they were to the SNP run Glasgow City Council where the government promised £10 million.
But later this week the Deputy First Minister, Jenny Gilruth is to have a meeting with the Council Leader, Jane Meagher (who we are told has been on holiday until now).
The Deputy First Minister confirmed that the council reached out to her asking for a meeting and she will meet with Cllr Meagher for discussions and to visit the site of the fire to “clarify what action is required to assist with the recovery”.
The Deputy First Minister, Jenny Gilruth, said: “I am acutely aware of the major difficulties faced by city centre commuters, businesses and tourists in the aftermath of the fire – particularly as Edinburgh prepares for the August Festivals.
“The Scottish Government has been working with City of Edinburgh Council and other partners to deliver the immediate priorities of ensuring the public’s safety while minimising and reducing disruption. I welcome the quick action taken to support festival organisers given the diversions along George Street.
“I am firmly committed to working urgently with partners to ensure there is the fullest possible recovery in what is the heart of the capital.
“I will also be meeting with the council leader next week to make clear what further support ministers can provide, including financial assistance, to help alleviate the situation.”
SNP Group leader calls for emergency summit
Meanwhile the SNP Council Group Leader, Cllr Lesley Macinnes, has written to other political parties on the council calling for an emergency summit on the impact of the Princes Street fire disruption, saying the city needs stronger leadership.
Cllr Macinnes said: “The negative impact on the city, its economy, the people and businesses of Leith and our summer visitors is clear. While there is a lot of delicate work happening on the site to safely secure the building and background work being done by Council officers there has been a lack of visible and helpful leadership from the current Labour-led administration.
“We need to get everyone involved around a table early next week to make sure that we all have the true picture and can work together towards effective and fast joint solutions.
“No-one asked for this to happen but how we deal with it is critical.
“So, I am calling on the Council Leader to get an emergency summit underway really fast, to put all the issues on the table and then be prepared to tell the city what residents and businesses can expect in the short and long term.”
Work has begun on Princes Street
Work began at the end of last week to secure the remains of the building at number 109 which is said to be in a fragile state.
Steelwork will be installed to reinforce the façade and once this is in place, vehicles will be able to pass by. The earliest this is expected to be is in around three weeks’ time, if wind speeds remain low. Work is weather dependent and cranes cannot operate once wind speeds exceed safe limits. The council said the safety of the operatives carrying out this complex work is a key factor.
Transport and Environment Convener, Cllr Stephen Jenkinson said: “Whilst I understand how concerning this news will be to everyone, I want to reiterate that we’re doing everything within our power to reopen Princes Street as soon as it’s safe to do so. The complexity of the remedial work cannot be understated, with specialists working, mostly by hand, under extremely challenging circumstances.
“I’m acutely aware of the impact that this is having across the city each and every day, and I’ll repeat my thanks to the public for their continued patience during this incredibly difficult time. The city is very much open, and I’d encourage everyone to support our fantastic local businesses as we enter the August festival season.
“We’re continuing to work alongside our partners, particularly Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses, to keep Edinburgh moving. A part-tram service and full bus services continue citywide, but please plan ahead and allow plenty of time for your journey. We’ve also increased the number of Voi e-bike parking locations and hires available across the city, helping people to get around easier.
“It’s positive that the cordon is being reduced, and the fact that these key historical features of the site have survived is a rare silver lining in this terrible event.
“From tram and bus drivers working overtime to the engineers on site, Council colleagues and many more, I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in the response so far.
“Despite these trying circumstances I’ve no doubt we can all enjoy a fantastic summer here in the world’s cultural capital.”
Fringe shows affected
Fringe producers Assembly have had to move their operations from outside Assembly Rooms to St Andrew Square as buses are diverted along George Street. That work is now underway.
The council has been forced to shelve plans for the yearly pedestrianisation of George Street and the Summertime Streets programme so buses can continue to pass through the street.
Assembly Rooms, one of the Fringe’s largest event promoters, has now announced that its George Street hub, containing the “Bijou” Spiegeltent and the “Front Room” container space venue, will move to St Andrew Square.
This means that the 17 shows scheduled for the venues can still go ahead. Shows indoors on George Street will not be affected.
Artistic director at Assembly Festival, William Burdett-Coutts, said: “The fire on Princes Street has had, and will continue to have a significant effect on city centre businesses and residents.
“Following the subsequent investigations, it became clear that the usual festival road closures Assembly Festival operates on George Street wouldn’t be possible for this year’s Fringe season.”
He added: “It is extremely positive news that all 17 of these shows will still be able to go ahead, after the huge amount of work our artists have already put into them.”
The shows affected by the relocation are as follows:
Bijou: 70s Jukebox by The 60 Four; 1954: Ella, Etta, Eartha; Best of Burlesque; In Pour Taste: A Comedy Wine Tasting Experience; Frisky’s Remix Roulette; Midsummer!; Scaramouche Jones; Smashing Shakespeare: Brave Macbeth.
Front Room: A Haunted House; The Van Gogh Shogh; Arachne / Athena; The Problem; A Play on Words; 44 Minutes; Cricket & The Freebugs; Becoming Dr Ruth; Ludwig: Unfinished Business.
