The former Debenhams store on Princes Street was wrecked by fire earlier this month, forcing tram services to stop short of Leith and disrupting bus routes across Edinburgh. Businesses in the city’s port area say the suspension has caused a dramatic fall in footfall, while the City of Edinburgh Council says work at the site will continue for at least another three weeks.
The blaze has left trams operating only to and from Shandwick Place, with buses diverted away from Princes Street. A probe into the cause of the fire involving Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is ongoing, and the council has said the building’s “fragile state” means it is not safe for vehicles or trams to pass, even at low speeds.
Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams have also said suggestions that some trams could be transported by road to Leith to run between Newhaven and York Place were “not considered a practical option”.
How are Leith businesses being affected?
Hospitality businesses in Leith, where the tram was extended in 2023, said they were already feeling the pinch. Alistair Brown – founder of Bellfield brewery, which runs Nobles on Constitution Street – said regular services meant the prospect of new customers every seven minutes.
He said his business had been affected by the partial closure of Princes Street and added that footfall had visibly fallen since services were suspended. Brown called for a “Leith is open” campaign to encourage locals and visitors.
“I would say we're down something like 35% from where we would expect to be in July,” he said.
“We were used to hearing the tram bell ding every seven minutes and knowing there would be people around, but that has stopped.
“We would love to see some support, the local business groups are getting together to try and sent the message that Leith is open, both to visitors and people from Edinburgh as well.”
What is the cost to Edinburgh festivals?
Those with tram tickets can use them on bus services connecting the west and east of the city, but many of those services have been diverted away from Princes Street onto George Street.
Venues and bars usually situated on George Street during the festival Fringe have been moved to St Andrew Square. Assembly, one of the festival’s main operators, said 17 of its shows encompassing about 300 performances would now take place in the square surrounding the Melville Monument.
Dani Rae, Assembly managing director, said moving their venues had been a “Herculean effort” but added the impact on shows and performances may not be felt until the end of August.
“Keeping the city safe and moving is important, but for us it's about the artists and making sure they can get the most out of this festival and that the audiences can enjoy it as well.
“It's necessary and I think we will be ok, but it is just the impact of moving from one venue to another.
“Until the festival is over, we're not going to know the true cost of this.”
Roddy Smith, CEO of Essential Edinburgh, which represents businesses in the city centre, said the council, emergency services and transport providers were doing everything possible to progress things so the city could get back to as near a normal environment as possible.
“The council, emergency services and transport providers are doing everything possible to progress things so we can get back to as near a normal environment as we can.
“This will inevitably take some time but is imperative with the August festival season approaching.”
Why is Princes Street still closed?
At its height, 50 firefighters battled the blaze at the B-listed former hotel in the early hours of 9 July. The building had been closed since a previous fire in 2021, and it was in the process of being converted into Scotland’s first Zedwell hotel after being bought over by real estate firm Criterion Capital.
Work to preserve the 19th Century façade and unique architectural features meant some parts were being deconstructed brick by brick. An original Victorian staircase and the stained-glass windows memorial to former Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, dating from the 1880s, survived the blaze.
The council said steelwork was being installed to “reinforce the façade” and vehicles would be able to pass once that was completed. However, it warned that work was “weather dependent” and relied on wind speeds remaining low so that cranes were able to operate.
What are city leaders saying?
Transport convener, councillor Stephen Jenkinson, said the remedial work was highly complex and being carried out mostly by hand in difficult conditions.
“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.”
He added that the city remains open and urged people to support local businesses as the August festival season begins.
“The city is very much open, and I'd encourage everyone to support our fantastic local businesses as we enter the August festival season.”
Key Facts
- The former Debenhams store on Princes Street was wrecked by fire earlier this month.
- Trams are only operating to and from Shandwick Place while buses have been diverted away from Princes Street.
- City of Edinburgh Council says work on the site should continue for at least another three weeks.
- Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are investigating the cause of the fire.
- Assembly said 17 shows, involving about 300 performances, would move to St Andrew Square.
