Arcade fights Sally Army's homeless plan

BOSSES at a city centre amusement arcade have gone head to head with the Salvation Army over plans for a new drop-in centre for the homeless.

Bluelock Ltd, owner of the Slot Casino on Clerk Street, fears it will be forced to move from the area if the neighbouring centre is given the go-ahead.

It has already relocated from South Bridge because staff were facing regular "confrontations" with street drinkers who congregated in Hunter Square.

Now the Salvation Army has submitted a planning application for a new base next door to the arcade, to eventually replace the current facility on Bread Street.

Bluelock area manager Jaclyn McMillan said the move will inevitably lead to a repeat of some of the problems they faced in the past.

She said: "We have no objection to the Salvation Army or the work that they do, but we have to ask whether this is the most sensitive location for a meeting place for people who will likely have addiction problems such as alcohol or gambling.

"There is an off-licence across the road and our casino right next door. If our staff suspect that someone has a gambling problem or is under the influence of drink or drugs, we reserve the right to refuse them entry, which will inevitably lead to confrontations with our staff.

"It happened on South Bridge and it will happen again if this drop-in is built."

Southside resident Don Jardine, of St Leonard's Street, said: "We've already got a high number of beggars in the area and some homeless people have been making dens in the closes and doorways of residential properties.

"Why would we want to encourage more of them to come to Clerk Street?"

However, Major Robert McIntyre, the Salvation Army's East Scotland divisional commander, argued that there was a need for this centre in Edinburgh.

He said: "Our aim is to relocate our programme from Bread Street to Clerk Street.

"This service, which is a 'dry' centre, not only provides hot meals, showers and clothing but is a vital link into additional services to meet some of our service users' complex needs.

"We provide hope and an island of safety for people trying to overcome some difficult problems in life; we believe we can help them achieve their potential so they can have a valued place within their families and society."

The Salvation Army would not comment on the objections to its choice of location as the planning application is at an early stage.