'About time': Edinburgh locals and businesses speak out as Princes Street set to reopen after seven-week closure
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Business react to the reinstatement of tram services on Leith Walk
Edinburgh locals and business owners have expressed a mixture of relief and frustration following the announcement that Princes Street will reopen this Saturday.
The thoroughfare has been closed for seven weeks following a major fire at the former Debenhams building on July 9, which halted tram services to Leith and Newhaven.
While the resumption of the trams has been welcomed, traders have criticised the City of Edinburgh Council’s communication and highlighted the loss of vital summer tourist trade.
Dougal Freir, owner of Ancient Robot on Leith Walk, said: “It’s been really frustrating, particularly the lack of information that we’ve gotten—only finding out that it was going to be Monday they were coming back, yesterday.
“It’s not ideal for us and it had a huge impact on the area. When the trams came in it helped an awful lot and helped put Leith back on the map, where I think it should be with all the independent businesses we have here. But then to have it go the other way, it’s been really difficult.”
Aimee Douglas, store manager of Good Vibes Neighbourhood Store, said there had been a noticeable impact on footfall during August.
She said: “I’m chuffed that they are starting again but I think the impact it has had on the business in August has been noticeable—just with how many tourists we have had in the shop. We’ve still had a good pull of regular customers—but the number of tourists we usually get has definitely been affected.”
She said she believes more could have been done to reinstate the trams and will now look to the council’s grant funding in order to cover costs. She said there had been high levels of community support for the record shop on Constitution Street.
She said: “It’s been lovely to see the support of the local community during a time like this—coming in to support us by buying records and also chatting to us about stuff.”
One local resident said he had cancelled day trip plans with his son due to the potential of long journey times from Leith to Corstorphine.
He said: “My son asked if we could go to the zoo—but the bus journey there would have been a nightmare with the congestion. It’s the main route for the number 26, so it would be interesting to see if the zoo was affected.”
The public also voiced their frustration in response to the council’s announcement on social media.
Ian Henderson wrote: “If this was any other country the whole building and new hotel would have been up and operational before the Fringe even started.”
Meanwhile, Raymond Rose posted: “About time... now where do Leith businesses and traders apply for direct compensation for loss of trade.”
The reopening marks the end of seven weeks of closure following the fire in July.
The street was due to open on the last day of the festival, on Monday, August 31, but Edinburgh council has announced the reopening will come earlier than planned.
Testing will take place overnight on Friday—with trams running their full route from the Airport to Newhaven and all city centre bus diversions also ending subject to its success.
The three eastbound bus stops between Castle Street and Frederick Street will remain closed, with westbound bus stops unaffected. Passengers are urged to check service providers timetables.
Council leader Jane Meagher said the reopening is a “significant step in the city’s recovery” from the devastating fire.
Cllr Meagher said: “This has been an incredibly difficult few weeks for the city, not least given the timing, and I’m pleased that we can now turn our attention to getting Edinburgh back to normal as helping those businesses most affected to get back on their feet.
“A great deal of effort has gone on behind the scenes to make this possible – and my thanks go to our council teams and engineers who have carried out painstaking work to make the building secure as quickly and safely as possible. I also want to thank Lothian Buses, and their drivers, for keeping the city moving and our residents and visitors for their patience.”
Cllr Meagher said that the disruption “underlined the critical importance and popularity” of the city’s tram network. Businesses in Leith have highlighted the impact of the tram network’s disruption in recent weeks.
Cllr Meagher continued: “With that in mind, I’m pleased that our business support campaign ‘More by the Shore’ is taking shape – and will soon be encouraging more residents and visitors to explore Leith, the Shore and Newhaven, and visit the fantastic local businesses there. This activity is planned to run well beyond the reopening of Princes Street, over the festive period and into the new year.”
Remedial work is set to continue with some disruption. The pavement on the north side of Princes Street will remain closed—one lane of the eastbound carriageway will be used as a temporary pedestrian walkway.
Sarah Boyd, chief executive for Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams, said: “We welcome the news that Princes Street is due to reopen on Saturday 29 August.
“Our teams are now focused on reinstating bus and tram services along one of the city’s most important transport corridors and we encourage customers to check the latest service updates and allow extra time for travel.
“I would like to thank our customers for their patience, understanding and support throughout this period of continued disruption. We are also grateful to our colleagues, whose professionalism, flexibility and commitment continued to keep Edinburgh moving during a particularly challenging time.
“Finally, we would like to acknowledge the close collaboration of our partners, including the emergency services, the City of Edinburgh Council and other agencies involved in responding to this incident. Their collective efforts have helped ensure services can begin to return safely and efficiently for the benefit of Edinburgh’s residents, visitors and businesses.”
Reacting to the news, Dr Scott Arthur, MSP for Edinburgh South West, thanked those involved in the return to normality—along with residents, commuters and visitors for their patience.
He said: “A huge thank you to the emergency services, council staff, engineers, Lothian Buses, Edinburgh Trams and everyone who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the building safe and keep the city moving. I'd also like to thank residents, commuters and visitors for their patience over the past seven weeks.
“While some temporary arrangements will remain in place as remedial work continues, reopening Princes Street is an important milestone in Edinburgh's recovery and a welcome step back towards normality.”
In a post on social media site X, Tracy Gilbert MP called the news “very welcome” and about time”.
She continued: “Remember that businesses along Leith Walk, at the Shore and Ocean Terminal are open for business as usual.”