Save Our Shops: Edinburgh's parking plans could make it harder for businesses when they most need our help – Daniel Johnson MSP

The longest-lasting impact of coronavirus will undoubtedly be economic. Many businesses have been put into suspended animation through furlough and other support funds. But bills have still been coming in and people’s routines have been altered by lockdown. That will mean recovery will be difficult and businesses will be far weaker than they were before.

This is particularly true for retail. Shop workers have been on the frontline in many instances, making sure we can continue to get food and performing a public health function long before face masks were mandatory in shops, stepping in to implement social distancing and keep us all safe.

For some though, they have been met with threats of abuse and intimidation, something that unfortunately they have been subjected to in the past. As we emerge from lockdown, the new normal should prioritise protecting our retail workers, something my current Members Bill is looking to address. If we must protect shop workers, we must also protect shops.

In Edinburgh we have great local high streets in Stockbridge, Morningside and Portobello each with rich mix of independent shops the make this city special. But this diversity is at risk. Whether able to continue trading through lockdown these shops will struggle to recover.

People are keeping away from shops. In part there is worry about the economy and wanting to save money. But people have also got used to buying online and getting things delivered. Shops will need to adapt but after these unpredictable circumstances, we must give them the time and opportunity to do so.

Governments must look to what they can do through rates and loans. But the council must play its part too. New plans to completely remove parking and loading from high streets threaten to make recovery extremely difficult for many of these treasured local businesses.

Provision must be made to enable people to use pavements safely, maintaining social distancing. But measures intended to enable people to return to shops must not put those shops out of business.

Daniel Johnson is Scottish Labour MSP for Edinburgh Southern

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