Edinburgh's Princes Street set to reopen but businesses are left counting the cost of seven-week closure

Trams have not been running on Leith Walk since July 9

Edinburgh business owners have expressed a relief and frustration following the announcement that Princes Street will reopen this Saturday.

The major route has been closed for seven weeks following a fire at the former Debenhams building on July 9, which halted tram services to Leith and Newhaven.

Traders have criticised the City of Edinburgh Council’s communication and highlighted the loss of vital summer tourist trade.

Dougal Freir, owner of Ancient Robot on Leith Walk, said: “It’s been really frustrating, particularly the lack of information that we’ve gotten—only finding out that it was going to be Monday they were coming back, yesterday.

“It’s not ideal for us and it had a huge impact on the area. When the trams came in it helped an awful lot and helped put Leith back on the map, where I think it should be with all the independent businesses we have here. But then to have it go the other way, it’s been really difficult.”

Aimee Douglas, store manager of Good Vibes Neighbourhood Store, said there had been a noticeable impact on footfall during August.

She said: “I’m chuffed that they are starting again but I think the impact it has had on the business in August has been noticeable. We’ve still had a good pull of regular customers—but the number of tourists we usually get has definitely been affected.”

The street was originally due to open on the last day of the festival, on Monday, August 31.

Testing will take place overnight on Friday—with trams running their full route from the Airport to Newhaven and all city centre bus diversions also ending subject to its success.

The three eastbound bus stops between Castle Street and Frederick Street will remain closed, with westbound bus stops unaffected.

Council leader Jane Meagher, left, and Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth in Princes Street earlier this month | TSPL

Council leader Jane Meagher said: “This has been an incredibly difficult few weeks for the city, not least given the timing, and I’m pleased that we can now turn our attention to getting Edinburgh back to normal as helping those businesses most affected to get back on their feet.

“A great deal of effort has gone on behind the scenes to make this possible.”

Cllr Meagher said that the disruption “underlined the critical importance and popularity” of the city’s tram network. Businesses in Leith have highlighted the impact of the tram network’s disruption in recent weeks.

Remedial work is set to continue with some disruption. The pavement on the north side of Princes Street will remain closed—one lane of the eastbound carriageway will be used as a temporary pedestrian walkway.

Sarah Boyd, chief executive for Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams, said: “We welcome the news that Princes Street is due to reopen on Saturday 29 August.

“Our teams are now focused on reinstating bus and tram services along one of the city’s most important transport corridors and we encourage customers to check the latest service updates and allow extra time for travel.

“I would like to thank our customers for their patience, understanding and support throughout this period of continued disruption. We are also grateful to our colleagues, whose professionalism, flexibility and commitment continued to keep Edinburgh moving during a particularly challenging time.”

Princes Street has been closed since July 9 when the fire broke out in the former Debenhams building | Daniel Artur Woda

Reacting to the news, Dr Scott Arthur, MSP for Edinburgh South West, thanked those involved in the return to normality—along with residents, commuters and visitors for their patience.

He said: “While some temporary arrangements will remain in place as remedial work continues, reopening Princes Street is an important milestone in Edinburgh's recovery and a welcome step back towards normality.”