Edinburgh brewery calls train strikes 'a double-edged sword' as hospitality hit
| Published date | 21 June 2022 |
Only three services will be running from Edinburgh Waverley as 40,000 RMT members including signallers have walked out over a dispute pay and potential job cuts - making it the biggest strike in 30 years.
READ MORE- Rail strikes: Edinburgh drivers warned to expect severe traffic jams as services cancelled
Nearly 90 per cent of ScotRail services will be cancelled on Tuesday 21, Thursday 23 and Saturday 25 June, with city centre venues set to bear the brunt of the knock-on impact of the strikes.
One of Scotland's leading wholesalers, Dunns Food and Drinks have warned the strikes will be "another blow" Edinburgh.
It comes at an already difficult time for Scotland's city centres, as the figures from the Scottish Retail Consortium show sales growth continued to stall last month as people cut spending amid the cost of living crisis.
UK Hospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls told BBC Radio 4's Today programme firms were feeling "the impact of the rail strike both in terms of their workers not being able to get into work - but more importantly their customers not being able to travel".
Nathan Rowan, business to consumer director at Dunns Food and Drinks, believes some hospitality businesses could be forced to close during the action as staff struggle to get to work.
He said: "In general terms, the rail strikes represent yet another blow to city centres.
"A lot of the premises we supply see reasonable business up until around 8pm, however city centres are emptying rapidly and early. We have even seen reductions in our distribution vehicle weights, as city-centre venues prepare for a drop in customers this week.
"More people will be working from home on the affected days, so lunchtime trade in office areas could struggle. I wouldn't be surprised if some even close on the days on the strike as staff will be unable to get to work.
"There are still a large number of home workers, but a reduced train timetable coupled with this week's strikes means city centre venues will undoubtedly feel a more significant impact."
Edinburgh-based brewers Vault City Brewing – who operate the Wee Vault tasting room and bottleshop on Maitland Street, next to Haymarket train station – are expecting to see a drop in footfall as a direct result of the strike action.
Co-founder Steven Smith Hay said it is like a 'double...
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