Tram memorabilia goes off rails with retailers

It LOOKS like the kind of business proposition that would go down like a lead balloon in the Dragon’s Den.Yet an artist hopes to make a name for himself with an un-official line in Edinburgh tram memorabilia – if he can persuade anyone to sell them.

It LOOKS like the kind of business proposition that would go down like a lead balloon in the Dragon’s Den.

Yet an artist hopes to make a name for himself with an un-official line in Edinburgh tram memorabilia – if he can persuade anyone to sell them.

Leith-based Keith Thompson has created prints, tea-towels and tote bags with his “childlike” image of one of the trams – and even a map of the truncated route – though the system is at least two years away from running on the streets of the capital.

The Edinburgh College of Art graduate, who has not approached the city council for backing for his fledgling venture, has been sent packing from shops in the city’s west end after asking if they would take some of his gifts for a trial period.

He admits he may have to wait until the arrival of the trams for his merchandise, which has been partly inspired by his seven-year-old son, Alfie, to take off.

In the meantime, the 35-year-old believes they will prove a hit as “ironic” gifts for people who are constantly complaining about tramworks.

Mr Thompson, who has previously exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy, has at least recognised how unlikely it is that at a full line will be built in the forseeable future, by cutting short his tram map featured on his merchandising in the city centre. The first route is planned to run from Edinburgh Airport to Newhaven, via Leith.

A spokesman for the city council said: “We’re tempted to say we wash our hands of this, but we applaud Mr Thompson’s enterprise.”