Tag: The Shore Business Collective

The Shore Business Collective launches campaign to welcome visitors to Leith during city centre disruption

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

SAVE THE SHORE!

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.