More Edinburgh retailers claim rates tram battle victory

Published on Tuesday 17 November 2009 08:56

ANOTHER raft of retailers is claiming a major victory in their battle with the council over the tram scheme after succeeding in getting their rates slashed by a fifth.

After a hearing before the Lothian Valuation Appeal Committee – which lasted for more than two days – 85 retailers have had their business rates cut by 20 per cent because of the impact on their business of the tramworks.

Last month, The Evening News reported that retailers on Leith Walk, Shandwick Place and Haymarket were to receive a rate cut. Another 733 firms lodged appeals, including stores on Princes Street.

Bill Robb, the Glasgow-based associate director at GL Hearn, who negotiated on behalf of Gap, Next, HMV, Waterstone's, Clarks, Lush and Curry's Digital, who have all now secured a cut in their business rates, said: "Businesses up and down Scotland have been hit by the double whammy of the recession and higher business rates.

"In Edinburgh, on-going work on constructing the new tram network has exacerbated these financial difficulties for many businesses.

"The decision by the Valuation Appeal Committee is extremely good news for our clients, and we are pleased to see that common sense has prevailed."