Trams chiefs anger traders after leaving meeting early

FURIOUS Leith Walk traders came face to face with tram bosses in a heated public meeting last night.

Over 150 traders from The Walk down to Constitution Street confronted TIE chief executive Willie Gallagher with tales of losses of up to 90 per cent.

Mr Gallagher, 49, failed to assure troubled traders that they would be able to survive the works.

He said: "I'd love to say that it will be all right but I can't, and if I did I would be lying to you.

"I do understand the complaints but I know this is not enough.

"There's little more we can do because of the budget we have to work with but there may be ways to stretch the way it's used."

Mr Gallagher excused himself from the meeting after only 45 minutes to tend to his ill wife.

However, there was uproar when the only two other TIE representatives – construction director Graeme Barclay and HR and corporate affairs director Colin McLauchlan – followed.

Lothian MSP Shirley Anne Somerville said: "Are all their wives ill or did they just not wish to stay? It's clear that most of the people here have little faith in what they had to say."

TIE is currently offering businesses with a rateable value of under £28000 a 20 per cent rebate with a support package of up to £4000, which they have been able to extend to off-route side streets due to a lower than expected uptake.

However, many traders said this falls far short and suggested further measures such as a freeze in rates, or a low-interest loan to tide businesses over.

Federation of Small Businesses Edinburgh chair Graham Russell seemed to rule out the possibility of rate freeze.

He said: "By law, Lothian assessor John Fowler can only reduce rates if rents are decreased. In this matter his hands are tied."

However, Edinburgh North MSP Malcolm Chisolm weighed in to contradict this claim.

He said: "I had a conversation with Finance Secretary John Swinney regarding the rates issue and he said councils have the discretion to freeze rates in cases of extreme hardship.

"Seventy-five per cent of the cost will be bourne by the local authority, and 25 per cent by the Scottish Government. I suggest the council explores this option immediately."

Hi-Fi Corner's Colin Mackenzie accused TIE of "corporate vandalism" and suggested appointing an independent loss assessor to evaluate each business' losses.

TIE has frequently declined to comment on "unsubstantiated loss claims", and refuses to be drawn on the issue of compensation.

However, several traders arrived with books and till receipts to substantiate their claims.

Hadi Seleh, 50, owner of the Baguette Bar at 255 Leith Walk said: "I brought my receipts as proof. I've spent every last penny on this business but I don't think I'll last three weeks."

The meeting was arranged by the Edinburgh Federation of Small Businesses, with the aim of setting up a new Leith Walk and Constitution Street Traders Association.

At the end of the meeting traders were invited to join the new association, in the hope that some of the ill feeling aired last night could be turned into some thing positive.

In a statement released earlier Mr Gallagher said similar traders associations had led to positive relations, and that he was "looking forward to working with the newly formed group".