Edinburgh business owners say plans for short-term lets above pub will 'spell disaster' for traders

Members of the Shore Business Collective, a group of independent businesses that work to promote and drive footfall in the waterfront neighbourhood, said plans to convert the offices at Waterside House into accommodation would ‘kill the ecosystem of [the] street’ and reduce footfall.

The plans would see 15 self-catering apartments, ranging from one bedroom to three, replace the office spaces in the block.

But local traders said if plans are given the green light it would mean office workers in the area would be evicted, removing regular customers for several businesses; customers that the businesses collective said ‘are the ones who keep the lights on in the depths of winter’.

January Watson, Shore Business Collective secretary, said: “We've already lost a lot of offices in the area since Covid and the area has become quieter. A few of the blocks behind us have been already been converted from offices into short-term lets and there are two office blocks left, one above Malt & Hops and another above Victor Hugo.

“So there's a worry that if the block above Malt & Hops becomes accommodation, the next block will follow suit quite quickly. All the businesses in the area are concerned about the impact of losing that daytime trade.

January Watson, Shore Business Collective secretary, outside the Malt & Hops bar at Waterside House | Submitted

“The people in the office above the Malt & Hops have been the same neighbours for around 20 years and they don’t want to leave. They come to the bar throughout the week and every Friday without fail for drinks and the bar has been a hub for post-work pints in the sun during the summer months.”

She added that there was concern that the plans would see an increase in noise complaints as the serviced apartments sit directly above the Malt & Hops, a popular pub and music venue, putting the pub’s licence and future at risk.

“If plans do go ahead I think the immediate impact will be the loss of trade from the office workers, but there could be knock on effects if there are noise complaints from future people staying in accommodation,” she said.

“The landlords of the building reassured us that they were going to market their short-term accommodation as being above a lively pub and that they'll deal with noise complaints if they get them. But we think if they start getting bad reviews from noisy complaints that could change things.

“Leith and the Shore is a very strong community but if you've got constant transient neighbours, it doesn't do anything to build a community. But with all the development over the last 10 years we've all noticed the hollowing out the area and it makes it feel like less of a community.”

Gregor Properties, which owns Waterside House at 46 Shore, said the company had tried to meet with the Shore Business Collective to discuss the plans and the effect on the local area.

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Responding to groups concerns, Manus Gregor, of Gregor Properties, said he was “surprised to learn that the Shore Business Collective had declined to meet with [them] to discuss the economic impact [the] development will bring to the local area”.

Mr Gregor said: “Over one third of Waterside House is unoccupied, so the number of existing staff based there is relatively limited. In contrast, the proposed 15 apartments could accommodate up to 70 guests at any one time. The majority of these visitors would be dining out and socialising in local bars and restaurants, providing a significant boost to the area’s economy.

“We already operate Gregor Suites in the West End of Edinburgh, where local bars and restaurants have experienced a noticeable uplift in trade from our guests. In addition, we have offered alternative office accommodation within our building on Commercial Street to ensure tenants can continue to remain based in Leith.”

Mr Gregor added: “We remain very open to constructive dialogue and would welcome the opportunity to meet with the Shore Business Collective to discuss this further.”