Tram works force bar to close until return of passing trade

Published on Monday 23 June 2008 11:22

A CITY centre bar has closed temporarily due to the tram works.

The Grosvenor closed its doors last week after deciding it couldn't afford to stay open while Shandwick Place was closed off.

A source close to the pub said the business had been left with little option.

"Because of the works it quite literally became cheaper for them to close than to open, it's as simple as that," they said.

"The tram works have destroyed them, there is no passing trade whatsoever, no-one getting off buses, which means hardly anyone going in."

A spokeswoman for Spirit Group, who own the pub – which was formerly the Rat and Parrot – said: "Due to severe roadworks, resulting in no transport access and limited pedestrian access to that area of the city, Spirit Group elected to close the Grosvenor pub on a temporary basis.

"Spirit Group is hopeful that the Grosvenor will reopen on July 16, following the completion of the roadworks."

This news follows Leith Walk's World of Gas announcing it was to cease trading as a result of the lack of custom caused by work on the 512 million tram line.