Ripping the sole out of Leith

[Jack]

Richard Bee fishmonger, and Hibby, in the wee shop opposite the Alhambra Bar on Leith Walk will be closing the doors for the last time next week.

After many years of good and reliable service, having fought off competition from the supermarkets and the like, the trams have finally taken their toll and forced Richard out. He can no longer afford to keep the shop open.

Whatever the trams bring us in the future what will never come back to Leith are the wee single handed shops, like Richards wee fish shop, that are closing now.




The good news for Richard is that he’s moving to his brothers shop in Broughton Street.

[Betty Boop]

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Richard Bee fishmonger, and Hibby, in the wee shop opposite the Alhambra Bar on Leith Walk will be closing the doors for the last time next week.

After many years of good and reliable service, having fought off competition from the supermarkets and the like, the trams have finally taken their toll and forced Richard out. He can no longer afford to keep the shop open.

Whatever the trams bring us in the future what will never come back to Leith are the wee single handed shops, like Richards wee fish shop, that are closing now.




The good news for Richard is that he’s moving to his brothers shop in Broughton Street.

Sorry to hear that, there are hardly any fishmongers left in Leith, apart from Methvens in Gt.Junction Street, not sure if the wee one in Rossie place is still there?

[Woody1985]

Edinburgh is a disgrace.

How much more can be done to **** up the city. Everywhere you look it's a shambles.

Now they also want to pedestrianise Princess St or George St. These *******s are trying to force people out of their cars because we rejected the ****ty vote on fees to drive into the city. Bunch of no marks who have their heads up their *****.

Another example, lets cover our historic cobbled streets with cheap tarmac. That'll help tourism! I know cobbles are a pain in the arse but still.

The worst are all these public school boy councillors who know everything about life in Edinburgh and the hardships of peoples lives when they've never been near an estate or know anyone who isn't as pompus as them. *****

[CropleyWasGod]

Someone will be along to fillet soon.

[blackpoolhibs]

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Someone will be along to fillet soon.

Peoples jobs are at stake here, what an r, sole.

[CropleyWasGod]

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The worst are all these public school boy councillors who know everything about life in Edinburgh and the hardships of peoples lives when they've never been near an estate or know anyone who isn't as pompus as them. *****

Like who?

TBH, if someone had a public school education, the last thing they would want to do would be a councillor. It's hardly a gravy train.

[lucky]

Why blame the trams. The trams will good for the city. Unfortunately the new administration running the city don't have enough experience and the flaws are showing all over the city. Not just in road works but schools and social services all being starved of cash.

The road works are not helpful but it is the clowns running the city which are the real problem

[Dashing Bob S]

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Why blame the trams. The trams will good for the city. Unfortunately the new administration running the city don't have enough experience and the flaws are showing all over the city. Not just in road works but schools and social services all being starved of cash.

The road works are not helpful but it is the clowns running the city which are the real problem

Agree totally with the trams. People seem to blame everything on them. The current bus service announces Edinburgh as a fifth rate capital.

[_hucks_]

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Richard Bee fishmonger, and Hibby, in the wee shop opposite the Alhambra Bar on Leith Walk will be closing the doors for the last time next week.

After many years of good and reliable service, having fought off competition from the supermarkets and the like, the trams have finally taken their toll and forced Richard out. He can no longer afford to keep the shop open.

Whatever the trams bring us in the future what will never come back to Leith are the wee single handed shops, like Richards wee fish shop, that are closing now.




The good news for Richard is that he’s moving to his brothers shop in Broughton Street.

I think that its bloody awful the way the whole trams affair has been handled. The council could have employed staff directly instead of the tender nonsense (although i think they're obliged to do that by national government), and created a whole raft of jobs. There wouldnt then be the contractual wranglings that have held back the project already. Unless the council could afford to pay full compensation to business' for lost revenue, then they didn't really have the money for the project. It's a difficult time for small business' and their workers (and many low paid workers) right now - so its disappointing, yet somewhat unsurprising, seeing that that difficulty is being multiplied as opposed to helped with, by the council.


On a side note, the fishmonger on Broughton street is a very good shop, and I hope he does well there.

[Jack]

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Why blame the trams. The trams will good for the city. Unfortunately the new administration running the city don't have enough experience and the flaws are showing all over the city. Not just in road works but schools and social services all being starved of cash.

The road works are not helpful but it is the clowns running the city which are the real problem

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Agree totally with the trams. People seem to blame everything on them. The current bus service announces Edinburgh as a fifth rate capital.

Because of the trams, or the building preparation for them, many of the customers who used to use Richards shop do not now. Richard told me of passing trade lost – 80% of those that used to visit by car and about half of the others have gone, others visit less regularly.

Old folk, and others, no longer see a walk up and down Leith Walk to get their messages as safe or pleasurable. The pavements are ripped up; the pavements have, on occasion, been narrowed so much two people can barely get by each other; busses that passed his shop have been diverted; the roads changed so much old folk have been confused; traffic islands have been removed making it more difficult and dangerous for less able folk to cross; bus stops move or disappear completely.

I think the trams will be a good thing – eventually.

But will Richard ever come back to his wee shop in Leith Walk? No. Will anyone else open up as a fishmonger? No.

Will anyone come in to replace the butchers, the bakers that are no longer there, the chippy or the greeting card shops that are on their last legs? No.

Will any of these shops ever come back? What if anything will be filling all these empty shops there are going to be?

The character and the characters that made / make Leith Walk Leith Walk will be long gone.

[Chez]

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Sorry to hear that, there are hardly any fishmongers left in Leith, apart from Methvens in Gt.Junction Street, not sure if the wee one in Rossie place is still there?

Welch's fishmongers is just opposite Methvens in Gt Junction St - the suppliers to the famous Peacock Inn


Back to the point of thread - there is a number of shops in Leith Walk either at breaking point/shutting down due to the upheaval caused by the tram works: Iris Fashions ( has been there for years) will eventually be closing down; Sylvia's Cafe is away now. No doubt we will hear in weeks/months to come about other places shutting down/closing due to this fiasco. Princes Street will, no doubt, be affected sooner or later as well.

The trams are a complete waste of taxpayer's money that could've been spent in other ways such as keeping Day Centres open and helping communities to unite.

[ancient hibee]

Trams are a total waste-will only service 10% of the population.Why would anyone in Leith who wanted to go to the airport get on a tram going in the opposite direction?

[Toaods]

These little shops offering a more-customer focused service and all have done.

It's sad news. Out of interest, what would you give the shop on a scale of 1-10.

[IberianHibernian]

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Trams are a total waste-will only service 10% of the population.Why would anyone in Leith who wanted to go to the airport get on a tram going in the opposite direction?

How do you get figure of 10% ? ( something to do with % who live near tramline ? ) . Excuse my ignorance , but why do you say " opposite direction " ? Is tram not going up Leith Walk , along Princess Street then on to airport ? In any case , I doubt many in Leith will use it to go all the way to airport except a few tourists staying in Leith hotels / B&Bs and Leithers who work at airport . Agree with original point of thread though that much more has to be done to help small businesses which may suffer consequences of tramworks ( don`t live in Edinburgh so don`t know what if anything has been done - not having to pay local taxes , campaigns to encourage locals to use local businesses , grants for local businesses to pay for publicity and vouchers to tramworks workers to use in local businesses are all ideas that could be used ) . Have Hibs thought about helping at all ? Improved transport links will help Hibs ( have thought for years that Hibs should encourage development of city railways including reopening station near ER ) and publicity from a campaign would be beneficial too .

[iwasthere1972]

Sorry to mussel in on this thread but I'm sure eel get over it. Only saying that for the halibut

Coats on

[Disc O'Dave]

Ooooh, starting to flounder a bit there.....

[crabis]

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Agree totally with the trams. People seem to blame everything on them. The current bus service announces Edinburgh as a fifth rate capital.

Since trams will provide a much less comprehensive service than buses there can be no reduction in the bus service - it therefore folllows that Edinburgh will continue to be a ffifth rate capital despite the fortune being wasted on trams. Shame really.

[peter douglas]

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Agree totally with the trams. People seem to blame everything on them. The current bus service announces Edinburgh as a fifth rate capital.

Are you having a laugh?

Edinburgh has one of the best bus services in britain! A twenty minute fruequency is the minimum you can expect no matter where you are in the city.

have you tried the bus services elsewhere in Scotland?

You're spoilt mate.

[iwasthere1972]

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Are you having a laugh?

Edinburgh has one of the best bus services in britain! A twenty minute fruequency is the minimum you can expect no matter where you are in the city.

have you tried the bus services elsewhere in Scotland?

You're spoilt mate.

Spot on. Weren't Lothian Buses voted "Best Scottish Bus Company in 2006" and, and I know it's a fair few years ago but the service is still as high, "Best UK Bus Company" in 2002 and 2003. I had to check the facts on Wiki as I'm not a bus anorak.

Our bus service IMHO is second to none. It's people who start complaining at the bus stop if they have had to wait for more than two minutes that need to have a reality check. I don't grudge paying my £45 four weekly for my ridacard.

Don't know if the trams are really warranted only time will tell.

[peter douglas]

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Spot on. Weren't Lothian Buses voted "Best Scottish Bus Company in 2006" and, and I know it's a fair few years ago but the service is still as high, "Best UK Bus Company" in 2002 and 2003. I had to check the facts on Wiki as I'm not a bus anorak.

Our bus service IMHO is second to none. It's people who start complaining at the bus stop if they have had to wait for more than two minutes that need to have a reality check. I don't grudge paying my £45 four weekly for my ridacard.

Don't know if the trams are really warranted only time will tell.

They weren't voted the best for no reason either. The buses are clean and on time compared to others...and thats all you really want.

I don't really get the argument for the trams at all. The simple counter agrument is the 22. Every 5 minutes, and follows the same route.

Can someone justify the tram system when the no.22 is in operation?

Am I the only person who doesn't see that this whole project is not needed..let alone wanted?

[Chez]

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They weren't voted the best for no reason either. The buses are clean and on time compared to others...and thats all you really want.

I don't really get the argument for the trams at all. The simple counter agrument is the 22. Every 5 minutes, and follows the same route.

Can someone justify the tram system when the no.22 is in operation?

Am I the only person who doesn't see that this whole project is not needed..let alone wanted?

Naw - I agree with you - the trams are a shambles and are no needed IMHO. The service provided by Lothian Buses is superb and, with most routes wheelchair accessible, they are great quality and service for a very low-cost fare in comparison to other bus services over Scotland.

[Woody1985]

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Naw - I agree with you - the trams are a shambles and are no needed IMHO. The service provided by Lothian Buses is superb and, with most routes wheelchair accessible, they are great quality and service for a very low-cost fare in comparison to other bus services over Scotland :thumbgrin:

[Tazio]

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Sorry to mussel in on this thread but I'm sure eel get over it. Only saying that for the halibut

Coats on

Pollocks

[ancient hibee]

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How do you get figure of 10% ? ( something to do with % who live near tramline ? ) . Excuse my ignorance , but why do you say " opposite direction " ? Is tram not going up Leith Walk , along Princess Street then on to airport ? In any case , I doubt many in Leith will use it to go all the way to airport except a few tourists staying in Leith hotels / B&Bs and Leithers who work at airport . Agree with original point of thread though that much more has to be done to help small businesses which may suffer consequences of tramworks ( don`t live in Edinburgh so don`t know what if anything has been done - not having to pay local taxes , campaigns to encourage locals to use local businesses , grants for local businesses to pay for publicity and vouchers to tramworks workers to use in local businesses are all ideas that could be used ) . Have Hibs thought about helping at all ? Improved transport links will help Hibs ( have thought for years that Hibs should encourage development of city railways including reopening station near ER ) and publicity from a campaign would be beneficial too .

The main users of public transport in Edinburgh live in the housing estates on the periphery-therefore it would have made sense to run the trams where the users are.As far as the wrong direction-airport is west of Leith-tram is going east.

[Filled Rolls]

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Edinburgh is a disgrace.

How much more can be done to **** up the city. Everywhere you look it's a shambles.

Now they also want to pedestrianise Princess St or George St. These *******s are trying to force people out of their cars because we rejected the ****ty vote on fees to drive into the city. Bunch of no marks who have their heads up their *****.

Another example, lets cover our historic cobbled streets with cheap tarmac. That'll help tourism! I know cobbles are a pain in the arse but still.

The worst are all these public school boy councillors who know everything about life in Edinburgh and the hardships of peoples lives when they've never been near an estate or know anyone who isn't as pompus as them. *****

Agree that the council are a bunch of dicks. Otherwise, I think most of what you've written is wrong.

Firstly, you assume that everyone in Edinburgh wants to use a private car to get around. I don't think that is the case. A lot of people in the city centre prefer public transport. It is less expensive for them and they don't have to spend half their life dodging around trying to find a parking place.

I don't think many of the council went to private school by the way. Most of them seem to be from "estates", or schemes as I prefer to call them.

[Jack]

Update:

Snail Mail, a quirky wee card shop, of not as many years as Richard, put ‘Closing Down Sale’ signs in the widow yesterday.

Before the tram works she was doing enough business to employ someone part-time.

Sadly another Leither who will in future be able to say ‘Yes, I used to own a busy wee shop on Leith Walk.’

[Antifa Hibs]

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Update:

Snail Mail, a quirky wee card shop, of not as many years as Richard, put ‘Closing Down Sale’ signs in the widow yesterday.

Before the tram works she was doing enough business to employ someone part-time.

Sadly another Leither who will in future be able to say ‘Yes, I used to own a busy wee shop on Leith Walk.’

Isn't it just a sign of the times aswell as this recession nonsense? To easy to blame everything on the tram works in my humble.

Stockbridge shop owners are banging on about the same how shops are closing down and struggling, no tram works there. I was also in the designer outlet in Livingston, there were stacks of shop spaces empty and up for let, 6 months ago these were all full doing a trade.

People don't have as much money to spend these days and the new generation of youngsters don't want to go to the bakers for their rolls, butchers for their meat, fish from the monger, birthday cards from the card shop etc etc etc, they'd rather goto the big new Asda at Newhaven and get everything under one roof and be out their in half and hour. TBH I wouldn't be surprised if the new Asda at Newhaven has done as much damage to Leith traders as the trams have done.

[iwasthere1972]

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Isn't it just a sign of the times aswell as this recession nonsense? To easy to blame everything on the tram works in my humble.

Stockbridge shop owners are banging on about the same how shops are closing down and struggling, no tram works there. I was also in the designer outlet in Livingston, there were stacks of shop spaces empty and up for let, 6 months ago these were all full doing a trade.

People don't have as much money to spend these days and the new generation of youngsters don't want to go to the bakers for their rolls, butchers for their meat, fish from the monger, birthday cards from the card shop etc etc etc, they'd rather goto the big new Asda at Newhaven and get everything under one roof and be out their in half and hour. TBH I wouldn't be surprised if the new Asda at Newhaven has done as much damage to Leith traders as the trams have done.

No tram works in Newington either but I see that there are shops and pubs in that area that have recently closed their doors. A combination of the recession or that they were never destined to flourish either due to the product on offer or just that fact that they were not very good at what they did. Maybe a bit of both.

I travel to Leith every day for work and to be honest the tram works right now do not pose much delay if any. If people want to shop there then there's not that many obstacles in the way.

Agree that it's probably a convenient excuse for everyone to blame the tram works when businesses are closing when in fact it's something else that forced closed doors. If it can happen to Woolies after 99 years it can happen to any business.