Tram works close Sony shop

Electronics giant Sony is to close one of its Edinburgh showrooms, citing the tram works as the reason.

Sony Centre is to close its Shandwick Place store on Saturday – advertisingit with a picture of the works outside its shop and the slogan “Sometimes you have to know when to quit!”

Sony has two other branches in the capital – in Stockbridge and Morningside.

Independent deli Cockburn’s was one of the first victims of the tram work and credit crunch double-whammy in 2008. Other retailers have recently pulled out of the area, including furniture chain Habitat, which went into administration last year.

The latest round tram works began last month, with Shandwick Place closed from 14 January. Some 107 firms in Edinburgh have cited the effect of the tram works alone in appealing for reduced business rates.