Edinburgh pub ‘fenced in for 232 days’ as landlord says ‘people have given up.
An Edinburgh pub landlord has decided ‘enough is enough’ after’months of being walled in’ by roadworks. Graham Parsons, who owns Roseleaf Bar Cafe in Leith with wife Kylie, believes their business has been influenced by his work for Leith Connections.
The project, which began in November of last year, is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, according to Edinburgh Council.
The pub has been ‘walled in’ throughout the construction, making it difficult for customers to enter. Graham claims that several customers have ‘given up and gone away after being unable to locate a way in’.
Graham concedes that firms are’struggling’ due to increased prices, and he believes the roadworks ‘couldn’t have come at a worse time’.
The Parsons allege they were first assured the work would be completed by March, but Graham believes there is ‘no sign’ of it being done soon.
Leith Connections features a protected cycle route, ‘enhanced’ pavements, renovated crossings, new trees and plants, and ‘better’ public areas. While Graham supports the ideas, he believes they have’made life harder for businesses’.
When asked for response, Transport and Environment Convener Stephen Jenkinson expressed apologies for the delay and confirmed that the work would be completed within the ‘next several weeks’.
Graham told Edinburgh Live: “This appeared on January 6.” We received very little notice, a flyer on the final day of operations before Christmas. “We have been in discussions with the council ever since.
I am a member of The Shore Business Collective, and we have met with very high-ranking members of the council.
“We have significant overheads right now, and they have thrown this at us at a time when we are already struggling. There are several businesses that have closed around here, such as The Barologist, which went out of business few months ago.
“The first two months of the year, there was no public transport. Our customers have a difficult time reaching us. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters to receive more headlines directly to your inbox.
“You had to go on a wild goose chase to get into the pub.” We would have been pleased to be inconvenienced for a brief length of time, and we have been kind and patient with the council.
“They haven’t finished this, and they’re continuing to dig up other parts without finishing what they’ve done.”
While they were previously informed that the work would be completed by March, they have ‘no idea’ when it will be finished. Graham continued, “We keep hearing that the work would be completed this week or next week, and then nothing.
So, we have no clue when it will be completed. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s still here in January. We were quite fortunate to be featured on a handful of television shows last year, since this resulted in a lot of publicity.
People find us through our online presence and reviews, but when it comes to passing trade, things are different. “Or for people in wheelchairs, or with buggies, it’s a struggle.”
While a space has now been made in the works for customers to access the pub, Graham says this only came after he ‘put pressure on’.
He went on to say, “This wasn’t truly open until a couple of weeks ago; it opened at the end of July because I explicitly placed pressure on the project manager and told him that we needed access.
“But otherwise, from January to the end of July, there was just one way down. So it doesn’t seem like they’re listening to the folks that live here.
“They’re just pursuing this agenda to create cycle paths, and I am all in favour of making things more green – but they’ve made it hard for us.” Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “I understand the concerns of this specific business, and I regret that these improvements have taken longer than expected.
They have my continued gratitude for their patience. The construction at Sandport Place is expected to be completed in the next weeks.
“Since before construction began, the Leith Connections project team has communicated with local residents and businesses, as well as other essential stakeholders.
Our site teams communicate with local businesses on a daily basis and will continue to support them in any manner they can.
“We will continue to market the Shore, Leith, and the north of Edinburgh as a terrific place to live, work, visit, and conduct business.
Since the Trams to Newhaven project was completed, we have witnessed tremendous economic, social, and environmental advantages for the communities along the route.
“The wider project is about making it easier and safer for walking, wheeling and cycling in the north of our city – whilst improving our streets and community spaces for the benefit of all.”
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