Edinburgh's businesses big and small are getting back up and running – Adam McVey

It’s been hugely encouraging to speak to so many businesses in the last few weeks who have been gearing up for reopening. Despite the enormous challenge businesses have dealt with in the last few months, I’ve picked up a strong sense of optimism and toughness from our local traders who are the lifeblood of our economy. The Council has given thousands of businesses support and advice on how to reopen safely and by having a “safety first” approach, our favourite pubs, restaurants, cafes and shops have been able to open with confidence.

It isn’t just small businesses who are building a bright future in Edinburgh. We’re hearing positive feedback from larger scale businesses, like the partners taking forward the Bioquarter development. Developments like the bioquarter show no sign of slowing down and continue to build a future economy for Edinburgh, taking forward world-leading research and not only providing massive opportunities for our city but making advancements for people across the globe, including in the current fight against Covid.

Thanks to Scottish Government support, the Council has paid more than £100m to help keep 8,000 businesses going since March, and that’s on top of support like furlough which has helped so many people and businesses. The Council is also applying for a further £180,000 from the Scottish Government to help our local town centres adapt to the current circumstances and drive up footfall.

The town centre programme within Spaces for People is aiming to expand the public space for us to access our local shops and cafes where we are. While restrictions are easing, we know it’s going to be some time until we return to normal and we must do everything we can to support our local high streets and traders. The latest measures in Gorgie, Morningside, Stockbridge, Portobello, Corstorphine and Leith show we’ll continue to do what’s necessary to support our communities locally to access the services they need which will help business thrive.

We’ve all had to change so much of how we go about our lives and even going for a pint with friends looks different now with limits on numbers that weren’t there before and requests for personal data to help national track-and-trace efforts should another outbreak occur. Things that we’re used to doing on-demand, like visiting a museum, will require pre-booking and face coverings are needed in shops, public transport and other places. Planning ahead will be an essential part of how we go about our days for some time to come. I hope the rationale for these asks are self-explanatory. These are about minimising risk and maximising our collective ability to manage the ever-changing circumstances. It will require us to be patient and understand as well as compliant. There is more being asked of us now, but I want people to think forward to a year’s time. If our local shops, cafés, restaurants and bars don’t get through this, we’ll regret it. The Government and Council can’t go in and spend money in our local businesses, that’s our job as local customers. Each of us has a responsibility not just to follow the rules, but to support our local traders to make sure in a year’s time Edinburgh still has the same vibrant economy that we had in March. There is no shirking from the economically precarious position we find ourselves in. But there are still reasons to be optimistic about our future. Our key industries in banking, technology, creative arts and hospitality all face difficulties. But I’ve been struck by these industries’ willingness to embrace solutions and sign up to the idea that we can build back our economy better. Taking the coming months to make sure we are progressing fair work, not abandoning it, is a totally different approach to the response to the 2008 financial crash and is the only sensible long-term approach – and one all of Edinburgh can get behind.

SNP Cllr Adam McVey is leader of City of Edinburgh Council

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