Businesses at The Shore have come together to launch a campaign reminding residents and visitors that Edinburgh’s waterfront destination remains open for business following the disruption caused by the recent fire on Princes Street.
While the partial closure of the tram line has had a significant impact on businesses at The Shore, the Shore Business Collective believes the focus should now be on encouraging people to continue supporting local businesses across Edinburgh.
The campaign will provide practical travel information alongside a coordinated programme of social media activity celebrating the people, places and experiences that make The Shore one of the city’s most distinctive destinations.
The push from the Shore Business Collective will highlight the many ways visitors can easily reach The Shore by bus, on foot, by bike, taxi and car, while showcasing everything the area has to offer – from its award-winning restaurants, cafés and bars to independent retailers, cultural attractions and picturesque waterfront, as well as highlighting the best offers from local businesses this summer.
Ashley Harley ,Chair of the Shore Business Collective, said: “Like many businesses across Edinburgh, we’ve been affected by the disruption following the fire on Princes Street. However, our priority is to look forward.
“The Shore remains open, our businesses are ready to welcome visitors, and we want people to know it’s still easy to enjoy everything this unique part of Edinburgh has to offer. Our thoughts are with everyone directly affected by the fire, including the businesses, employees and communities in the city centre.
“This campaign is about working together to support local businesses and ensuring that people continue to visit and enjoy every part of Edinburgh during what is a difficult period for many. The Shore is open, the welcome is as warm as ever, and businesses are encouraging people to make the journey and rediscover one of the city’s most vibrant waterfront communities.”
The Shore Business Collective is a community-led network of independent businesses working together to protect, champion, and bring vibrancy to The Shore in Leith.
Follow the Shore Business Collective for updates on what to do and how to get to the Shore: @theshoreedinburgh
Princes Street is expected to remain closed into August following a major fire at the former Debenhams store in the early hours of 9 July.
Work is continuing to make the building safe while ensuring its historic features are preserved as far as possible. While timescales are not yet confirmed, these works are expected to take several weeks to complete.
Princes Street remains closed between Frederick Street and South Charlotte Street to all vehicles and pedestrians, with diversions in place. Buses are currently rerouted along George Street and Queen Street, with trams to and from the airport terminating at Shandwick Place.
With the diversions set to continue into next month, including on George Street, alternative arrangements are being put in place to limit disruption to forthcoming festivals and events.
A dedicated page has been created on the council website, which includes up-to-date information and guidance, with relevant links to partner sites. This will be regularly updated as and when new information becomes available.
Council Leader Jane Meagher said:“While, of course, I’m disappointed that Princes Street is to remain closed for weeks to come, our priority must be on the safety of the public.
“Our focus continues to be on making the building safe while aiming to retain as many of its historic features as we can. This is a painstaking process and will take time.
“I’m acutely aware that we’re now entering the busiest period of the year for Edinburgh, and there will inevitably be disruption in and around the city centre. We will continue to work with bus, tram, and other transport colleagues to keep the city moving as best we can.
“We’re also in regular contact with festival and event organisers with a view to minimising the impact on our events calendar, while ensuring those attending can easily access the latest information and guidance before travelling.
“This an ever-changing situation and we will provide further updates as and when new information becomes available, including through a dedicated page on the Council website.
“I want to thank people for their patience and understanding and have no doubt that we can still look forward to a fantastic summer of festivals here in Edinburgh.”
The recent fire in Edinburgh serves as a powerful reminder of the extraordinary courage, professionalism and dedication of Scotland’s firefighters (writes FOYSOL CHOUDHURY).
I want to pay tribute to every member of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and all emergency responders who worked tirelessly, often in extremely dangerous conditions, to protect lives, homes and businesses.
Their commitment to serving our communities is nothing short of remarkable. Every day firefighters put themselves in harm’s way without hesitation, responding to fires, road traffic collisions, flooding, hazardous incidents and many other emergencies. They deserve not only our admiration and gratitude but also our full support.
Throughout my time as a Member of the Scottish Parliament, I consistently championed the work of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and repeatedly raised concerns about the impact that funding reductions and resource cuts could have on public safety.
I firmly believed then, as I do now, that public safety should never be compromised. Investment in our Fire and Rescue Service is not an expense. It is one of the most important investments any government can make.
One issue I campaigned strongly on was the proposal to remove the turntable ladder from Crewe Toll Fire Station. After meeting firefighters and hearing first hand about the operational implications, I publicly opposed the proposal, supported the Fire Brigades Union’s #CutsLeaveScars campaign and lodged a Parliamentary Motion calling on the Scottish Government to reverse the planned £11 million reduction in funding to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
The turntable ladder is a vital specialist appliance used for tackling fires in high rise buildings and carrying out complex rescues. At the time, I warned that removing this capability would leave more than 50 high rise buildings across north and west Edinburgh with reduced emergency cover.
My concern was always straightforward. Every community deserves the highest level of protection possible and firefighters deserve the equipment they need to carry out their duties safely and effectively.
My work in Parliament also focused heavily on firefighter welfare and safety.
Following the serious fire at Breadalbane Street in Edinburgh, I submitted a series of parliamentary questions seeking detailed information from the Scottish Government and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
These questions covered firefighters’ exposure to harmful contaminants, decontamination procedures following major incidents, the availability of specialist personal protective equipment, and the measures in place to protect firefighters from the long term health risks associated with repeated exposure to toxic smoke and hazardous materials.
Firefighters willingly put themselves in dangerous situations to protect others. It is only right that we do everything possible to protect them in return.
Throughout my parliamentary career, I believed it was my responsibility to scrutinise decisions affecting emergency services, ask difficult questions where necessary and ensure that the voices of frontline firefighters were heard in Parliament.
The challenges facing the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service continue to evolve. Climate change has increased the frequency of wildfires and severe weather events. Our cities continue to grow with more high rise developments and increasingly complex infrastructure.
Firefighters now respond to a far wider range of emergencies than ever before. These changing demands make sustained investment in staffing, training, specialist equipment and modern technology more important than ever.
The recent fire in Edinburgh once again demonstrates why we cannot afford to become complacent about public safety.
Our firefighters repeatedly show extraordinary bravery, professionalism and compassion under immense pressure. They run towards danger when everyone else is being told to run away.
They deserve modern equipment. They deserve appropriate staffing levels. They deserve continued investment. Above all, they deserve to know that the public and our governments stand behind them.
I remain incredibly proud to have supported Scotland’s firefighters throughout my time in Parliament. I consistently argued for greater investment in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service because I recognised that every decision on funding has real consequences for frontline services and for the safety of our communities.
Over the years I raised these issues in parliamentary debates, lodged motions, submitted written parliamentary questions and met directly with firefighters and their representatives to better understand the challenges they faced.
My commitment was always to ensure that those risking their lives on behalf of others had the resources, equipment and support they deserved. I hope this latest incident serves as a reminder to all decision makers that investing in emergency services saves lives. We should never wait for tragedy before recognising the importance of properly funding those who protect us every single day.
My thoughts remain with everyone affected by the fire. I wish those who have lost their homes or businesses every strength during this difficult time. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to every firefighter, police officer, paramedic and emergency service worker involved in bringing this incident under control.
Scotland owes you a tremendous debt of gratitude, and I will continue to support calls for sustained investment in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service so that firefighters can continue protecting our communities safely and effectively for generations to come.
Foysol Choudhury MBE
Former Member of the Scottish Parliament
Former Shadow Minister for Culture, Europe & International Development.
Emergency services remain in attendance following a fire at a disused building on Princes Street, Edinburgh.
Officers were called to assist the Scottish Fire and Rescue around 3.05am on Thursday, 9 July, 2026. There are no reported injuries.
Firefighters and officers cannot enter the building as, at this time, it is deemed not safe to enter. Work is ongoing to ensure the area is made safe and enquiries are at an early stage.
The surrounding area of Princes Street remains closed, along with Rose Street, Frederick Street and Castle Street.
Members of the public are advised to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed where possible.
A joint investigation is ongoing to establish the cause of the fire.
