Action plan announced to boost West End during tram works

Traders had been invited to the specially arranged update with council officials to learn more about, and discuss, local tram works, their impact and the proposed mitigation strategy going forward.

The 'West End Action Plan', which includes free parking and a come-and-try session with Scotland's rugby stars, Mike Blair and David Denton, this Saturday (18 February), plus the development of a targeted marketing campaign, improved route signage and additional communications support, is being funded by the Council's 'Open for Business' budget, which will see £175,000 invested directly into driving footfall towards the West End in the coming months.

Also on the agenda at the well-attended meeting was the formation of a dedicated West End Action Group, which will assist in the delivery and monitoring of the proposed programme of activities. An invite to traders to volunteer for the group, which is also likely to include representatives from the Council, Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses, and the West End Village Association, was met with a positive response.

The overall 'OFB' budget now stands at over £600,000, available between now and March 2013, following a £100,000 injection by the city's councillors earlier this month.

Dave Anderson, the Council's Director of City Development, chaired the meeting.

He said: "Prior to last night's discussion, we had already received a number of constructive suggestions which would help West End traders. Many of these now form part of our Action Plan, which we hope will drive footfall into the area in the coming weeks and months.

"Elsewhere, we will continue to work closely with all city centre businesses and other stakeholders to ensure that we can mitigate the effects of the latest diversions and ensure that all those affected have access to the most up-to-date information."

Cllr Gordon Mackenzie, Transport Convener, City of Edinburgh Council, added:

"It's important that we work closely with businesses in the West End to get the maximum benefit out of the funding available. In boosting the 'Open For Business' budget by £100,000 this year, we were conscious of the need to build on the support already on offer and target it where it was needed most.

"What really matters now is that these proposals are delivered as soon as possible and we will pull out all the stops to make that happen."

Free parking available all day Saturday (18th) on the following streets:

Alva Street, Atholl Crescent, Chester Street, Drumsheugh Gardens, Manor Place, Melville Crescent, Melville Street, Palmerston Place, Rothesay Place/Terrace, Stafford Street, Walker Street and William Street