Leith Business Association

Scottish Water have issued water interruption notices to a number of businesses and residents in and around Leith Walk to allow testing of works carried out as part of the Edinburgh Trams utility diversions, according to an article on the STV website on 20 September:

Leith Walk water switch off “worries” traders hit by tram works

The LBA has expressed concern that there appears to be a lack of certainty over the work undertaken by tie's sub-contractors, and that Scottish Water are having to resort to switching off sections of the water main, then relying on users to call the Scottish Water Helpline (0845 601 8855) to report if their water supply is interrupted.

When questioned why the work had not been carried out at the end of 2009 when works were underway on Leith Walk, a Scottish Gas spokesman advised that they had had to wait until drawings were provided by tie. He also admitted that this exercise would not have been necessary if they had been 100% satisfied with the information provided. 

The planned shut offs are:

19th September - 2 Jane Street, 52, 60, 62, 70 to 98 Leith Walk

20th September - 156, 166, 168, 172 to 180 Leith Walk, 7 to 21 and 6 to 20 New Orchardfield, 1, 2, 3 Springfield Buildings, 16, 17 Springfield Lane, 9, 11, 10, 12, 23 to 29 and 24 to 30 Springfield Street and 5 to 21, 4 to 22 Steads Place

21st September - 6 Balfour Street, 200, 202, 214, 256, 258, 264, 266 Leith Walk, 206 to 210 Leith Walk and 222 to 232 Leith Walk

22nd September - 1 Shrub Place Lane

The stv Edinburgh site carries an extensive interview with LBA Chairman Alan Rudland who had set up a website carrying an open letter to Councillors criticizing the 30 June Tram Update Report:

Edinburgh Tram Vote website brands official report a biased travesty

The website tramvote.co.uk had been set up with the specific purpose of publicizing a series of issues and questions which Councillors must consider before approaching the decision on the future of the project on Thursday.

Without full public disclosure and independent scrutiny of the costs for ALL of the options, the biased selection of the continuation to St Andrew Square option, is a blatant avoidance of democratic process.

Only by providing full explanations for costs for each option can it be determined whether the true 'full cost of purchase' has been included, and that no spurious costs (such as the demolishing of 'redundant' structures) have been used to inflate the non-preferred option.

Leith on the Fringe which is an extension of the Edinburgh Festivals network will be operation for four weeks from the Out of the Blue Drill Hall on Dalmeny Street according to an article on the STV website on 27 May:

New venue to 'give Edinburgh it's festival back'

and the Edinburgh Evening News:

Audiences urged to drop in on Leith for Fringe fun

Sponsorship wanted 

The venue has been set up to provide an affordable showcase for a diverse range of disciplines. It is hoped that local businesses can lend their support to the venture.

Local organizer John Diamond said, "Leith on the Fringe has been created for Leith. We are looking to make Leith not just a venue for a show, sell out shows have been performed at Ocean Terminal to great success, but we want to offer an experience and encourage people to stay longer in Leith and spend their money here."

"Research has shown that businesses in Leith experience a drop in profits in August but LOTF intends to increase footfall to local businesses and generate more revenue for the area. But we can’t do that without support, with no money in the bank we need a kick-start to finance the marketing campaign but would also be grateful of any offers of services in kind."

"If just 100 businesses were to buy £200 worth of sponsorship we would reach our target for this first year based on fairly modest ticket sales."

Local businesses and residents have rallied together to promote "probably the best greengrocers in the world" with branded hoodies and t-shirts following news of yet another supermarket opening up in the area, according to an article on the STV website on 25 May:

Support for Leith Walk greengrocer appears on t-shirts and hoodies

James Welby the owner of Tattie Shaws was devastated to hear that planning permission had recently been granted to convert the Hopetoun Bar on McDonald Road into a Co-op supermarket. Supporters of this independent retailer, including staff at Joseph Pearce's and Embo Deli, have started wearing the branded clothing.