Coronavirus in Scotland: Growing number of empty shops in Edinburgh's Morningside as parking affects trade

And Anne Ness, Morningside Traders Association secretary, says other shopkeepers fear they could go the same way.

She said: “In Morningside, there 11 empty properties between Hermitage Bar and Bruntsfield Hotel and a further six on the road down to Tollcross. That’s a lot of businesses gone under.”

Ms Ness, who runs a hardware shop, says one of the biggest problems is the loss of parking spaces due to Covid-related traffic changes.

She said: “The removal of our parking has had a huge impact on business. Yes, there are more people working from home and more shopping locally, but figures indicate huge falls in turnover and footfall for a lot of businesses in Morningside.”

She said many shops relied on people from places like Fairmilehead, Buckstone, Swanston and Hunter’s Tryst.

"We have a lot of elderly customers who come from these areas and they quite simply can’t get down to Morningside any more – they can’t get parked, they’re advised not to come on buses – so they’re possibly going to out-of-town centres or inner retail parks like the one at Chesser, but they’re not coming here so we are seeing a huge impact on business.”

She said even if the council restored just some of the parking it would make a difference.

“We want to work with the council. We want to help our communities, but they have just done a blanket one-size-fits-all throughout the city.

“We have tried to work with them, we’ve had meetings with [council leader] Adam McVey – they’re listening, but they’re not actioning any of the points we’re raising. We’re not regarded as stakeholders, we don’t ultimately get a say in what’s going on. We’ve asked for compromises but we’re still waiting.”

Edinburgh Southern Labour MSP Daniel Johnson said the increasing number of vacant shops and cafes should be ringing alarm bells and called for the Scottish Government to review business support packages.

He said: “The independent business are what make so many parts of Edinburgh special. While many businesses have been very resilient, there is clearly a limit and many business have reached it.”

Transport convener Lesley Macinnes acknowledged the situation was “extremely trying” for businesses across the city.

But she said: “The whole point of our Spaces for People measures in local shopping streets is to make it easier to spend time in shops and cafes while physical distancing requirements are in place.

"Around 40 per cent of people in Edinburgh do not have access to a car, and with advice in place against travelling by public transport, we simply must provide safe, alternative ways to travel and to shop locally.”

Vice-convener Karen Doran added: “Areas like Morningside Road were identified as key areas for improvement as part of our Spaces for People programme and wider, safer streets have been highlighted as one of the top priorities by the many people who have given us feedback on our plans too.

"We have worked hard to retain some loading and parking provision and have met with local traders both before and after changes were implemented, making changes where possible in response to concerns.”

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