End of an era as popular Leith Walk café set to close after two decades of service
Sea Breeze closure triggers fresh fears over the ‘gentrification’ of Leith
A popular café on Leith Walk is to close after almost 20 years due to rising rent, with a loyal customer claiming the loss highlights the continuing “gentrification” of the area.
Sea Breeze opened in 2007, but will close its doors for good within the next few weeks due to a planned rent increase, which owner Sam Alkerson says will make it “too difficult” to continue.
Speaking to the Evening News, Mr Alkerson praised his loyal customers and expressed his regret at having to cease trading at 261 Leith Walk.
He said: “I am feeling really bad. We have got loyal regular customers who talk to me and say they will miss us. But we can’t afford the rent anymore, it is too difficult.
“I built up this business over the years. I just feel bad for my wonderful customers.”
Mr Alkerson said he hopes to find another unit with a hot food licence in Leith to retain the Sea Breeze name, adding that customers have promised to follow him. If unsuccessful, he plans to become a private hire taxi driver.
He added: “I have got plenty of customers who said they would follow me if I opened a new shop. I’ve been looking around, but I can’t see any empty shops that are Class 3 with a hot food license.
“The landlord is bringing someone in to have a look at the place, it’s his shop unit, he can do what he wants with it, we have given our notice and will finish up on May 14.
“I spend a nice time with my regular customers, it’s a very friendly place and I want to tell them that I love them, thank them for their support. Hopefully I get a new shop soon and they follow me, fingers crossed.”
Regular customer Graham Ross, 64, said the loss of the "old school greasy spoon" is another sign of “gentrification” moving up Leith Walk from the Shore.
He said: “Sea Breeze is a greasy spoon café, old school, but it is still very popular and serves a purpose in the local community. Losing this café is another sign of the gentrification of Leith.
“This happened in the Shore first and now it’s moving up the Walk. I think it has been coming since the trams became operational here. It changed the whole vibe in Leith. It has become more cosmopolitan, like a European boulevard.
“It has survived all of the various iterations of the tram works and their subsequent opening, and has been serving hearty, well-priced and honest food to its many customers for a long time.
“The café isn't just a spot for refuelling - it’s also a home from home to many loyal regulars. It will be sorely missed when it finally closes its doors.”
Commenting on the café closure, local councillor Jack Caldwell said the cafe’s closure would be “undoubtedly a great loss” to the area.
He added: “As a weekly regular for many years, I saw how welcoming they are to everyone across our community and that was reflected in their busy-ness.
“Affordable eating out is such an vital part of any de-facto town centre, so their loss will be felt. We’re lucky there’s still a really good variety of independent cafés in Leith, but the Sea Breeze will very sadly only live on through stories after May 14.”