Business' relief as Edinburgh's Princes Street finally reopens

Edinburgh’s iconic Princes Street is scheduled to fully reopen this Saturday, nearly two months after a significant fire forced the closure of the area. The blaze, which occurred on 9 July in a former department store, led to widespread disruption throughout the eastern part of the city. This closure came at a particularly challenging time, as local businesses endured a tough spell during what is usually a bustling festival period. Public transport services were heavily affected, with bus routes rerouted and trams operating only in the city’s west while safety assessments and recovery efforts were underway.

The impact on local businesses has been pronounced. Alistair Brown, founder of Bellfield Brewery and operator of Nobles on Constitution Street, noted the crucial role of tram services in driving customer flow, with trams arriving approximately every seven minutes. While welcoming the return of normal tram operations, Brown expressed uncertainty about the long-term financial consequences, stating, “I am relieved but still apprehensive. We have lost a lot of business through no fault of our own and it will take time to see how we recover from this.” He highlighted that the disruption struck during the brewery’s busiest time of year, which typically sustains the business through slower months.

Adam Barclay, manager of Argonaut Books, voiced strong criticism regarding the handling of the situation by the city council, citing a month of “radio silence” from officials. Barclay expressed frustration that tram services resumed only after the Edinburgh Festival Fringe had ended, missing the opportunity to support businesses during a critical trading period. He described the situation as a “profound negative impact” on summer trading, with delays of over 20 minutes on bus routes and significantly reduced footfall, particularly affecting the Leith business community.

Chef Dean Banks, who manages several restaurants in Edinburgh’s west end and on Constitution Street, also reported drops in revenue caused by the street closure and altered transport routes. He welcomed the reinstatement of tram services but felt the council’s response was insufficient and delayed. Commenting on the city’s lost opportunities, Banks remarked, “It is great Princes Street is opening now but it does feel like it is a little bit too little too late for this time of year.” Throughout this disruption, some road and pedestrian restrictions will remain near the damaged building as repair work continues. Edinburgh council leader Jane Meagher acknowledged the challenges faced, emphasizing the essential role of the tram network and promising a supportive campaign to aid affected businesses in the coming months

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