Edinburgh brewery launches 'Tram Trail' pub crawl to boost Leith trade
The tram crawl stretches from the West End down to the Shore with those taking on the challenge earning freebies
Independent businesses are joining forces to launch a pub crawl along Edinburgh's tram network to encourage visitors back to Leith following a summer of travel disruption.
Capital-based Bellfield Brewery created the Tram Trail after the prolonged closure of Princes Street prevented trams from running to the area during the busy festival season.
Throughout October, participants who purchase a Bellfield beer at seven participating venues can collect unique beer mats, with a free t-shirt awarded to those who acquire a full set.
The trail starts at West End pubs Hebrides and Mathers, alongside Thistle Street Bar and Cafe Royal in the city centre. It then heads down Leith Walk via Edinburgh Street Food and Boundary Bar, before finishing at Nobles on Constitution Street.
Several cafés, restaurants and pubs in Leith told the Evening News that their trade was significantly down following the closure which lasted for the duration of the Fringe’s tourist boom.
Gluten-free brewery Bellfield had originally planned to launch the trail in time for the summer but decided to delay it until they “heard the ding of trams” once again.
While the final stop is Nobles by Bellfield on Constitution Street, the brewery is encouraging people to stop at other independent venues along the route and said there is no fixed route or time pressure for completing it.
Director Alistair Brown said: “This isn’t about racing around seven venues in a day. It’s about exploring Edinburgh, discovering somewhere you might not normally stop and supporting some great independent venues along the way.”
The Tram Trail was inspired by digital creator @edinburgh_local who coined the stretch from Leith Walk to the Shore as the “Independent Mile”.
He added: “There has been a lot of public discussion about the pressure businesses in Leith have been under. The best thing we can all do now is get people back into the area and spending money with those businesses.
“If the Tram Trail gives a few more people a reason to head down Leith Walk, into The Shore and out towards Newhaven, then that can only be a good thing.”