Leith, Edinburgh — The manager of the Roseleaf Bar Café has criticised Edinburgh City Council after fencing left the premises effectively cut off for almost eight months.
The barriers, first installed on 6 January 2025, were expected to be removed within weeks as part of the council’s Leith Connections active travel project. But as of late August, they remain in place, with pub manager Graham Parsons saying they have devastated walk-in trade.
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“It’s made it very difficult for us to attract passing trade, which in hospitality, is our lifeblood,” Parsons said. “We’ve had potential customers tell us they couldn’t actually navigate the fence. So that’s the biggest challenge for us.”
Parsons, who runs the Shore venue with his wife Kylie, said they had been told the fencing would move “down towards the bridge by the end of February.” He added: “Here we are in August and it’s still here.”
The Leith Connections project, which began in November, is designed to improve walking, wheeling and cycling routes in the area, including a new pedestrian and cycle link between the Foot of the Walk and Dock Street.
But Parsons, also a member of the Shore Business Collective, warned the prolonged disruption has had knock-on effects far beyond his bar.
“The Barologist closed two months ago. Mimi’s Bakehouse had to sell half its premises. A number of businesses in the area have had to take out loans just to survive,” he said.
He added that access was further restricted when the bus service to the Shore was suspended during January and February. “We didn’t even have a bus service to the Shore for January and February,” Parsons said.
In response, Councillor Scott Jenkinson, the city’s transport and environment convener, acknowledged the delays and apologised.
“I appreciate the concerns of this particular business and regret that these works have taken longer than initially anticipated,” he said. “The Sandport Place section of the Leith Connections project is due to be completed in the coming weeks.”
Jenkinson added: “The project team has been in regular contact with residents and local businesses since before work started and will continue to support them.”
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