Edinburgh Deputy First Minister to discuss financial aid after Princes Street fire

A major fire broke out on July 9 at the former Debenhams building on Edinburgh’s Princes Street, gutting the historic structure and forcing the closure of a large stretch of the city’s main thoroughfare. Tram services have been suspended between the city centre and Leith/Newhaven and buses rerouted onto George Street, disrupting commuters, tourists and businesses during the city’s August festival season.

Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth will meet City of Edinburgh Council leader Jane Meagher next week to outline possible financial assistance for the recovery, citing the Scottish Government’s £10 million support package previously offered to Glasgow after a similar fire. A joint investigation by Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is ongoing, while limited parts of the building, such as a Boots branch, have begun to reopen under safety restrictions.