SHOPPERS in Portobello are to be offered money-off vouchers to help struggling traders who have seen their businesses hit by roadworks.
The city council is to pay for four sets of vouchers worth £200 each which they hope will attract customers back to the area in the run-up to Christmas.
Shoppers who spend more than £15 in participating outlets will be entered into a draw to win
the coupons, which must be spent in Portobello.
The idea is part of a range of measures to provide a shot in the arm for traders who have seen sales decline as a result of work to remove the nearby Seafield roundabout.
The city council has also paid for radio and newspaper adverts to make sure the public know that Portobello remains open for business.
However, at least one prominent local trader said he was completely unaware of the vouchers scheme.
Joe Findlay, owner of Findlays the Butcher, said: "I just wish they had told us. We have not heard a thing.
"There are lots of cars that just avoid Portobello now and we're keeping our fingers crossed about trading over Christmas. These vouchers are a good idea, but we could have done with them three months ago."
Work to replace the Seafield roundabout with traffic lights ground to a halt last month after engineers discovered that temporary traffic management measures were confusing drivers and creating a "serious risk" of collisions.
The measures were abandoned and work on the roundabout is now not expected to be completed until February or March, five months later than planned.
Planners closed Portobello High Street to traffic last month after it was discovered temporary lights were too dangerous.
Local Labour councillor Ewan Aitken said the decision to offer money-off vouchers was a "knee-jerk reaction".
He said: "It's a tiny amount and I'm not convinced people will go to Portobello on the off-chance of winning £200.
"This is a knee-jerk reaction. Clearly they had no idea about the consequences of their plan B for the traders or local residents."
Councillor Phil Wheeler, the city's transport convener, said: "The council understand and sympathise with the concerns of the Portobello traders and those of the wider community.
"We are working very hard to support them and to remind shoppers that Portobello High Street remains open for business."
He added: "On completion, the improvements will yield a far safer alternative for road users – whether they be drivers, cyclists or pedestrians."
