Edinburgh Council pushed to 'urgently' review criteria for £750k fund for Leith businesses hit by tram works and Covid-19 - as just four businesses apply for help so far

The Business Continuity Fund (BCF) was set up by the local authority as part of a £2.4 million package of support measures to support businesses affected by the tram works.

It became available to those in the Constitution Street area on November 18 last year but part of the criteria is to demonstrate three months of business hardship before accessing the fund - and just four have applied to date.

Work on the tram line to Newhaven was paused at the end of March due to the coronavirus outbreak and restarted on June 22 subject to strict Scottish Government guidance for the construction industry on social distancing and hygiene measures.

The council says that, as main tram line construction work was not due to start on Leith Walk until March 28, the earliest businesses there could apply would be the start of July.

But the council is now reviewing its criteria for the fund because it will be impossible for businesses to demonstrate whether it is Covid-19 or tram construction that is contributing to hardship.

Lothian MSP Miles Briggs (Scottish Conservative) said: “It is important that Edinburgh City Council review the criteria for the Business Continuity Fund as a matter of urgency, so that businesses who are in need of the fund are able apply.

“The Business Continuity Fund is in place to support businesses who have been negatively impacted by the tram extension down to Newhaven.

“I would strongly encourage all businesses who are being impacted by the tram works to apply for the fund to support their business through this difficult time.

“Businesses in Leith have had the double blow of lockdown and the tram works to deal with, which will have restricted revenue on Leith Walk.”

Leith business support measures

The city council brought in various support measures for businesses in the run up to and construction of the tram line to Newhaven.

Among them is the creation of designated 'logistics hubs' where officers can help shop owners with deliveries, on-street customer service staff, council funded discounts including an Itison voucher scheme and the 'open for business' campaign using the likes of street hoardings and promotion on digital channels.

Temporary parking areas have also been created at the foot of Leith Walk, by Pilrig Street and at Elm Row for customers to use for an hour at a time.

Businesses affected by other major schemes in Edinburgh, such as the St James Centre and gas works along Raeburn Place in Stockbridge, do not have access to similar support packages.

Transport and Environment convener, councillor Lesley Macinnes, said: "We have worked hard to support businesses in the lead-up to and during tram construction works and their longevity is a top priority for us. That’s why we have a £2.4m business support package in place, offering various elements helping to address the different needs of businesses along the route, and it’s been well-received by all those involved.

“Of course, businesses across the city are enduring a particularly challenging period at the moment, and there is work ongoing in different parts of the council and government to offer help. Applications for this fund in particular have to demonstrate a continuous period of hardship due the tram works.

"We will continue to communicate with shops, cafes, restaurants and other services along the route to drive footfall, maintain vibrancy in the area and promote the shop local ethos as tram works get underway."

The £750,000 BCF was developed in consultation with businesses in the area.

Other criteria for it include being situated in a street affected by the tram works, or on a side street where the only access is from an affected street or in the immediate vicinity of the works. Those applying must also have been operational for six months prior to construction and be an independent retailer with no more than four branches.

As it stands, the maximum funding available to any business over the tram works construction period is £6,000.

Any increase in the funding pot would need to be paid for through reductions in spend on other elements of the package.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

Subscribe to the Edinburgh Evening News online and enjoy unlimited access to trusted, fact-checked news and sport from Edinburgh and the Lothians. Visit https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director