BUSINESS owners who have seen trade decimated by Edinburgh’s tram works are furious after council bosses offered them a tour of the tram depot.
Traders in Edinburgh’s West End say footfall has been “reduced to zero” because of the tram works, but were offered a short ride on the trams themselves.
Grant McKeeman, of Copymade on West Maitland Street, says tram works have cost him up to £2,000 in lost trade.
He said: “I really can’t believe it to be honest. I find it hugely insulting and have phoned them to express my disgust.
“Footfall in the West End has been reduced to zero and businesses have been decimated but somehow the council thinks that a trip around the depot is something traders will be interested in.
“All I’m interested in is putting this whole mess behind me.
“I’ve been in the business for 20 years  but if the tram works had happened 10 or 15 years ago I would not have survived.”
Brian Roberts, of Shandwick Place hairdressers Headline, said: “I’d love to go on a jolly and tour the tram depot – but business is so bad I cannot afford to take the afternoon off.
“Footfall is non-existent and I estimate we’re down around £1000 a week in takings since the whole thing began.
“I’m on the phone to the council on a weekly basis about the tram works so I don’t know why they’d expect me to visit the depot.”
The council’s transport convener Lesley Hinds said: “We’ve had many requests from interested groups who want to visit the tram depot.”
