Previously warned store turns red and green for Hallowe'en

Abid Malik has painted his Hallowe'en and Christmas shop in bright colours

Now, the new manager of a shop on Slateford Road has decided to go one better, giving it a dramatic green and red makeover.

Abid Malik, who has taken over the lease for the shop which previously operated as a factory clearance outlet, said the colours matched the theme of the store, which now sells Hallowe'en costumes and Christmas accessories.

The 24-year-old said Hallowe'en and Christmas Corner, which opened yesterday, was a seasonal shop and is expected to close around January next year.

He added: "The reason why it's so bright is to catch people's attention, because we are not going to be here for that long.

"Most people have been positive about the colour and I've only had two complaining."

The grade B-listed building is owned by Vincent Crolla - an extended member of Edinburgh's renowned Crolla food family - who found himself in hot water with council planners in November 2008 when he gave the shop a "garish" orange and white makeover, and was ordered to repaint it.

Mr Malik, who lives in Larbert, said he had "no idea" that it was a listed building until he was notified by the decorators last week, by which time part of the exterior had already been painted.

Mr Malik added: "Vincent came round and said it was really nice, but told me somebody might come round from the council about the colour. When Vincent did it orange, the council came within two days to speak to him, but nobody from the council has said anything about the red and green."

Mr Crolla had originally planned to convert the former furniture showroom to an Italian restaurant, but a restriction on his planning application in February this year meant he was not allowed to install a gas cooker. Instead, he decided to rent the building out.

Mr Malik took over the lease for the shop, which had been repainted black and white, earlier this month.

Alan Douglas, 53, owner of Just Alan's barbers on Slateford Road, which itself has a blue, white and red exterior, said: "Personally, the colour doesn't bother me - I'm just glad the shop is open."

Cathy Mercer, 80, who lives in a flat above the shop, said: "I don't like the green. A nice brown would be better."

Great-grandfather Robert Fairbairn, 81, who has lived in Slateford for more than 30 years, added: "I think it's too bright. The orange wasn't as bad as that. The green and red don't belong together."

Mr Malik said if the colour proved to be a problem, he would be willing to repaint it.

A spokesman for the city council said: "The shop frontage has been brought to our attention and we are currently investigating."