Small traders accuse tram firm of double standards on banners

Published on Wednesday 16 September 2009 09:54

TRADERS in Leith have complained of "double standards" after a leading hotel chain was allowed to put up posters on the area's tram works.

The Leith Business Association said the Holiday Inn Express in Picardy Place had been allowed to erect banners on surrounding worksites, complete with directions and the company's logo.

The association said tram firm TIE had previously vetoed similar requests from other local businesses on the grounds that it would contravene health and safety guidelines.

Alan Rudland, the chairman of the organisation, said tram bosses were willing to "bend the rules" for large national companies but not for small, independent traders.

He accused TIE of treating some businesses more equal than others, and said other companies should be allowed to put up similar banners.

However, TIE said small traders in nearby Balfour Street and on Leith Walk itself had been among those to erect similar banners in recent months.

A spokesman for the tram project said: "We do not operate double standards concerning signage and consider every request on its own merit."