Edinburgh trams work has forced us out

TWO West End traders today claimed to have become the first victims of Edinburgh's trams work after deciding to sell-up.

Cockburns Deli and the Phone-In telecoms store, both on Queensferry Street, have put their leases up for sale, blaming plummeting trade as a result of the Shandwick Place closure.

Other businesses in the area have reported staff cuts and losses of up to 50 per cent.

But both trams firm TIE and business leaders today suggested the losses could not be blamed entirely on the tram roadworks.

Cockburns owner Iona Ritchie claims to have been struggling to make ends meet after taking a reported 20 per cent hit to her takings since the work began.

Phone In manager Atif Pasha, meanwhile, claims losses of up to £3000 a week have forced him to seek relocation after almost 20 years.

Mrs Ritchie put her property on the market yesterday before leaving for France for a short break, leaving daughter Sarah Cockburn, 28, to hold the fort.

Ms Cockburn said today the trams work had been a "disaster" for them. She said: "We tried cutting staff hours to make ends meet but it's no good – we still have rates and stock to pay. I've worked here for almost four-and-a-half years so I'll be sad to see it go.

"Mum's going to do office work, while I hope to go to university."

Phone In has been trading from the same site since 1989, and is one of the longest-standing independent telecoms retailers in Edinburgh.

Mr Pasha said: "We used to do around £5000 on an average week, but now we're taking in around £2500.

"We don't feel secure in this area so we were forced to put the To Let board up, but the way things are going, it could be years before someone takes the lease."

Joshua Miller, director of Charlie Miller hairdressers and vice-chairman of the West End Traders Association, however, said there was more behind the current losses than just the trams.

He added: "The uncertainty in the economy has led to people being more discerning with their pound. You also have to factor in early Easter holidays and the cold, wet weather at home."

A TIE spokesman also suggested the losses were more complex, but would not comment on "unverified figures and claims".

TIE has urged traders to be patient, promising that their support measures would see results.

He added: "The scheme offers support, not compensation. A compensation scheme would involve costly investigative activity that would be a burden on resources for both TIE and the businesses in assessing and verifying losses.

"The Small Business Support Scheme put in place seeks to support as many businesses as possible across Edinburgh. We believe that the rules established for this scheme do just that.

"The scheme is unique, offering unprecedented support when compared with other cities that have invested in trams.

"Its recent extension, to include side streets and other businesses, has added an extra 200 businesses to those that are eligible."