City slips in business poll

THE CAPITAL has slid down an influential ranking of economic prospects for more than 100 European cities.

Edinburgh fell 11 places to 59 on LaSalle Investment Management's annual European Regional Economic Growth Index (E-Regi) report.

The city's fortunes were hit hard by the banking crisis, particularly the loss of the headquarters of HBOS.

Despite the slip, Edinburgh was still ranked higher than in 2005 when it hit a low of 63.

Alison Newton, a partner for law firm McGrigors, said: "Edinburgh was always more than two banks and a festival, and now more than ever Business Edinburgh has to make that message clear."