Showroom blames trams as it quits city

Published on Monday 16 March 2009 08:48

AN upmarket interior design showroom on Leith Walk is to close its doors after 30 years, blaming the chaos caused by the city's tram works.

The Clive Christian showroom on Haddington Place, at the top of Leith Walk, is expected to shut its doors next month.

The company has decided to relocate the business to its office in Glasgow, after seeing a dramatic decline in footfall at the showroom over the last eight months.

While bosses admitted the general economic climate may have contributed to their problems, they said footfall in Glasgow had remained fairly steady, leaving them convinced the tram works were to blame.

The store, which provides exclusive, uniquely designed interiors, was given aid of 4000 from TIE to offset the damage caused by the repeated closures of areas on Leith Walk.

Managing director Sidney Harrison said that while this had been welcomed, it was "a drop in the ocean" of what would be required to make up for the business lost as a result of the problems.

Mr Harrison said the company was committed to returning to Edinburgh when the tram works were finished.

He said: "Once the tram works are complete we will look to relocate in Edinburgh."