The deputy first minister is to meet the leader of City of Edinburgh Council to discuss potential financial support after a fire closed a large section of Princes Street. The blaze at the former Debenhams store earlier this month has suspended tram services and diverted buses from the city's main thoroughfare.
The local authority said the closure would remain in place for at least another three weeks during Edinburgh's traditional festival season. Jenny Gilruth said she acknowledged the "major difficulties" affecting commuters, businesses and tourists - adding she would lay out what "additional support" could be provided.
A joint probe into the cause of the fire involving Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is ongoing.
The Scottish government previously committed to a £10m package to support Glasgow city centre's recovery from a fire that wrecked part of Union Street in March.
Businesses in Leith had called for similar support to be put in place following a decline in footfall caused by tram services being unable to run to the east end.
Gilruth said she was "acutely aware" of the issues resulting from the fire.
She said she would meet council leader Jane Meagher next week, adding: "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 will meet with the council leader next week to make clear what further support ministers can provide, including financial assistance, to help alleviate the situation."
Tram services are currently only running between Edinburgh Airport and Shandwick Place. Buses have been diverted onto George Street, causing delays for commuters.
It also prompted Assembly, one of Edinburgh's largest festival operators, to relocate some of its programme to St Andrew Square.
The council said the building's "fragile state" meant it was not safe for vehicles or trams to pass, even at low speeds.
Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams 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".
A cordon around the B-listed 19th century building was reduced on Friday to allow the reopening of a branch of Boots.
The building was in the process of being turned into Scotland's first Zedwell hotel by real estate firm Criterion Capital at the time of the fire on 9 July.
A spokesperson said it would "inappropriate to comment or speculate" on the building's future while the fire investigation was ongoing.
The council said a steel frame was being installed "reinforce the façade" and vehicles would be able to pass once that was completed.
The local authority said work to erect that was dependent on weather conditions and wind speeds remaining low to allow cranes to operate.
They added investigations had found an original Victorian staircase and the stained-glass windows memorial to former Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, dating from the 1880s, survived the blaze.
Council leader Jane Meagher said:
"I welcome the fact that the Scottish government have finally agreed to get around the table and look at what support they can offer during this incredibly challenging time for our city."
"I'm looking forward to meeting the deputy first minister next week and working together in the collective interests of our residents, visitors and businesses."
How is public transport being affected?
Tram services are currently only running between Edinburgh Airport and Shandwick Place. Buses have been diverted onto George Street, causing delays for commuters.
The fire has also disrupted festival operations, with Assembly moving some of its programme to St Andrew Square.
Tram and bus operators said proposals to transport some trams by road to Leith were not a practical option.
What is happening at the building?
The council said the building's fragile state meant it is not safe for vehicles or trams to pass, even at low speeds. A cordon around the B-listed 19th century building was reduced on Friday to allow the reopening of a branch of Boots.
The building was being converted into Scotland's first Zedwell hotel by Criterion Capital when the fire broke out on 9 July. A spokesperson said it would be inappropriate to comment or speculate on the building's future while the fire investigation was ongoing.
The council said a steel frame was being installed to reinforce the façade and that vehicles would be able to pass once that work was completed. That work depends on weather conditions and wind speeds remaining low enough to allow cranes to operate.
Investigators have also found that an original Victorian staircase and stained-glass windows memorial to former Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, dating from the 1880s, survived the blaze.
What support is being discussed?
Jenny Gilruth said she would meet council leader Jane Meagher next week to discuss what further support ministers can provide, including financial assistance. She said the Scottish government had been working with City of Edinburgh Council and other partners to ensure public safety while reducing disruption.
The discussion follows criticism from businesses in Leith, which had called for similar support after footfall declined because tram services could not run to the east end.
The Scottish government previously committed to a £10m package to support Glasgow city centre's recovery after a fire damaged part of Union Street in March.
What have council leaders said?
Jane Meagher said she welcomed the Scottish government agreeing to discuss support during what she described as an incredibly challenging time for the city. She said she was looking forward to meeting the deputy first minister and working together in the interests of residents, visitors and businesses.
The council said the closure would remain in place for at least another three weeks during Edinburgh's traditional festival season.
Key Facts
- The fire at the former Debenhams store on 9 July closed a large section of Princes Street.
- Tram services are suspended beyond Shandwick Place and buses have been diverted onto George Street.
- The local authority says the closure will remain in place for at least another three weeks.
- Jenny Gilruth will meet Jane Meagher next week to discuss further support, including financial assistance.
- A joint probe by Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is ongoing.
