Hairdressers in a spin as tram works power blunder forces launderette move

Published on Monday 4 May 2009 09:57

THEY are perhaps more used to performing a spin dry than a blow dry, but staff at a Leith launderette were forced to come to the rescue after hapless tram workers cut off the power to a nearby hairdressers.

Staff at the Spring Clean launderette in Leith Walk were the unlikely saviours of customers at nearby Tip Top Tresses after the electricity went off on Friday afternoon.

So sudden was the power cut, customers having perms done were forced to rely on tram workers fetching buckets of hot water to have the colouring washed out.

Jackie Goodfellow, the manageress of Tip Top Tresses, said the situation had been an "absolute farce".

She said: "We're having to take customers through to the launderette to dry their hair and TIE have had to bring down buckets of hot water.

"We had a few older ladies in getting perms and some had to go to the launderette to get the colour out. No-one has complained, but they will probably not come back.

"It's bad for trade and it's not nice for the customers to have to walk up the street with gowns on and towels on their heads."

Traders said the power had first gone out on Thursday, claiming tram contractors had cut through power cables.

There have been a number of power cuts in Leith in recent months as workmen move utility pipes and cables under the city's streets.

Rachel Malone, the manager of Spring Clean launderette, said her shop's power had also been affected, but a couple of power points remained working.

She said: "We've had to turn people away and give refunds to people who put a wash in before the power went out.

"This is happening all the time. It's bad enough that the tram works have made it more difficult for people to get to the shop, but now we have to put up with this."

In March, 2000 homes and businesses were left without power in Leith after tram workers cut through power cables.

Some traders simply shut up shop and headed for home after the power went out when workmen accidentally split cabling in Manderston Street, off Leith Walk, next to where yesterday's power cut took place.

Other businesses continued working, but claimed a representative of tram firm TIE had told them to close for the day and claim any lost earnings on their insurance.

A spokeswoman for TIE said the cause of Friday's power failure was under investigation by ScottishPower.

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