THE Scottish Government will provide a £5 million support package to the City of Edinburgh Council after a fire on Princes Street caused widespread disruption.
The council will be tasked with distributing this funding to support local businesses which have suffered decreased footfall, transport operators which have seen services disrupted, and festival companies impacted by the closure and disruption.
The announcement came as the Deputy First Minister, Jenny Gilruth, made a visit alongside council leader Jane Meagher to the site of the fire, the former Debenhams store on the capital's famous shopping street.
The blaze, which started on July 9, caused the shell of the building to develop structural problems. An exclusion zone has been in place since.
This has prevented trams and buses from using much of Princes Street, with large diversions in place for bus routes, and trams terminating at Shandwick Place. This has left communities and businesses in Leith and Newhaven without the key connection.
Pop-up fringe venues which have previously occupied much of the historic George Street in Edinburgh's New Town have also been relocated to the nearby St Andrew Square to accommodate diverted bus routes now moving down the street.
The council has warned businesses and locals that disruption is likely to continue for at least another three weeks.
Gilruth said: “This fire has caused widespread difficulties in Edinburgh, not just in the city centre but extending north into Leith and Newhaven, as business and commuters adjust to the disruption caused by the fire.
“The Scottish Government has been determined from the start to ensure that we are ready to support the council in assisting those affected and the funding being set out today will help to keep the city moving and to adapt, while also enabling long term recovery.
“The impact in the capital has been significant at a time when the August festivals are getting underway.
"The Scottish Government is committed to working urgently with partners to ensure there is the fullest possible recovery, including the reopening of Princes Street as soon as is safely possible.”
Gilruth also said work is underway to confirm additional support being made available to Highland Council to support its recovery from a major wildfire incident in the Cairngorms.
