Extreme leak could close new Edinburgh restaurant before it even opens, says owner

He reported that there has been a major leak in the property going into the basement

The owner of a new franchised restaurant in Tollcross says extreme leakage problems are threatening to close the business before it has even opened.

Imran Tariq, 39, who is working on opening the new Pepe’s Piri Piri outlet on Home Street, has invested over £300,000 and recruited around 30 staff for the opening of his grilled chicken restaurant.

Pepe’s Piri Piri franchise has over 100 stores in the UK, including the popular restaurant and take-away on 536 Gorgie Road.

Pepe’s Piri Piri franchise has over 100 stores in the UK

The Home Street property, opposite the Kings Theatre, was previously occupied by the Trenchtown Caribbean Social Restaurant until its closure in January 2019. Mr Tariq approached the Evening News after he felt “great distress and totally lost as to where I go” citing a lack of help from Scottish Water in assisting with the ongoing problem.

He reported that there has been a major leak in the property going into the basement which Scottish Water workers have been trying to locate for more than six weeks.

Mr Tariq says officials have also proved difficult to try and get a hold of and believes they are attempting to skirt around the issue.

He said: “They have come up with different excuses each time I have contacted them. This consists of them saying they need to carry out tests but other times they are blaming it on a private manhole.”

The Home Street property, opposite the Kings Theatre, was previously occupied by the Trenchtown Caribbean Social Restaurant

Mr Tariq, who hails from Baberton, confirms that Scottish Water said that the issue was from the mains public water supply when the property underwent its original chlorinated check and are “now backtracking on their words”.

When he approached private builders for assistance, they said that “under no circumstances” could they tackle the issue.

Builders claimed the issue was external problem and fell under the responsibility of Scottish Water and that any works would involve digging up part of the pavement.

The delays caused by this problem have been a drastic financial hit for Mr Tariq, who now fears his business will close before it has opened.

He said: “It is only a matter of time before I may need to permanently close the business before it has even opened for trading as I simply cannot afford to keep paying for rent, staff training, franchise costs and utilities from my own pocket.”

A Scottish Water spokeswoman said officials would conduct further checks on the property as a goodwill gesture.

However, they warned that Mr Tariq may be liable himself for maintenance.

Scottish Water do not accept responsibility for leakage unless the issue is part of a public sewer network.

She said: “We have been investigating the reported issue at this property and this has confirmed the ingress of water is not a result of leakage from the public water mains.

“As a gesture of goodwill Scottish Water will be carrying out further checks but as this is a private drainage manhole it is the responsibility of the property owner.”

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