Pub poster fails to raise a hole lot of laughs for trams jibe

FOR local businesses seeking to earn a living amid the disruption of the tram works, a sense of humour has become a must.

But when one trader come up with a cheeky new advertising campaign to promote his pub, it appeared there were some who did not see the funny side.

Graham Blaikie, owner of the Mercat Bar in Haymarket, put up posters advertising the pub under the slogan "Need to Fill a Hole?" beside a trench.

The adverts, which were designed to promote the pub's food, also aimed to poke fun at the tram works, which have been going on in the area for much of the last year.

However, tram bosses told the pub to remove the posters, apparently after receiving complaints from the public that they were "inappropriate". The posters were ripped down within a week, though tram bosses insist it was the work of vandals, not them.

Mr Blaikie, 33, said: "I was quite upbeat about the trams at first and accepted that the work had to be done, but it's now costing me money.

"I'm totally bamboozled as to how it can take so long to do the work. I don't want to offend anyone, but I need to do something. They obviously just don't have a sense of humour."

Tram firm TIE said the pub had been given permission, along with other local business, to erect advertising on barriers.

But a spokesman said the Mercat was told to remove the posters after complaints were received from members of the public.

Steven Bell, project director, Edinburgh Tram Project, added: "We recognise that during the tram works we must work with local traders to assist them in spreading the message that their business, and indeed Edinburgh, remains open for business.

"A major part of this activity is encouraging respect in Edinburgh and its aspirations. We asked the proprietor of the Mercat Bar to remove these signs due to negative comments from the public on their content. We'll continue to work with local traders to ensure the message that Edinburgh is open for business is promoted loudly and clearly."