Office evictions threaten the future of Leith businesses
The future of Leith’s vibrant Shore community is under threat as local office tenants at Waterside House face eviction to make way for short-term holiday lets.
The Shore Business Collective has launched the ‘Save The Shore’ campaign, backed by Ben Macpherson MSP for Edinburgh Northern & Leith, to block a planning application that threatens the survival of local institutions.
The proposal by Gregor Properties (Ref: 26/00362/FULSTL) seeks to convert the offices at 46 Shore (Waterside House) into guest serviced apartments.
The Shore Business Collective warns this move will replace a steady, year-round workforce with a transient population, devastating the trade for local staples including the likes of Shore Deli, Victor Hugo Deli, and SESH Hairdressing.
The threat extends beyond footfall. The proposed apartments sit directly above the Malt & Hops, one of Leith’s most historic pubs and live music venue. Residents in short-term lets often clash with established music venues, putting the pub’s license and viability at risk.
The Shore Business Collective also cites increased security concerns and waste management issues often associated with high-turnover holiday apartments.
The Malt & Hops is a primary fundraiser for the Leith Jazz & Blues Festival, there are also concerns that impact to the pub’s trade put the future of cultural events like this at risk.
January Watson, Secretary of the Shore Business Collective and Area Manager for The Malt Group, said: “The Shore thrives because of its balance of residents, workers, and visitors. By evicting the businesses that call 46 Shore home, we are losing the very people who sustain our economy from Monday to Friday.
“Tourists don’t use local dry cleaners or hairdressers. If we lose our daytime population and see our pubs silenced by noise complaints, the unique vibrancy of Leith will vanish.”
Ben Macpherson MSP for Edinburgh Northern & Leith added: “Proposals by Gregor Properties to convert the Waterside House offices into guest serviced apartments are concerning many people locally.
“The loss of office space would not only affect those based in the building but it could also impact local hospitality units, like the Malt & Hops pub.
“I encourage people in Leith and beyond to get behind the various efforts to protect the Shore area. Together, let’s make it clear that we really value our local businesses and want them to be supported.”
The Shore Business Collective is calling on all locals and supporters of Leith to object to the change of use by emailing local councillors and the planning department and referencing: 26/00362/FULSTL
Visit bit.ly/SaveTheShore to view and comment on the planning application.