Shopping in South Edinburgh? (July 2001)

One person who believes there is much scope for improvement is Margaret McKie, Chair of Gracemount Tenants’ Association. She raised the matter at South Edinburgh Residents’ Council and subsequently organised a public meeting in South Edinburgh Local Office on Tuesday, 5th June.

WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS?

From the Gracemount point of view, those present agreed that, since the demise of the local draper and ironmonger, and in the absence of a fishmonger or butcher, it is very difficult to find what you’re looking for locally. For those who don’t drive, it’s quite an expedition to get to the big supermarkets, such as Safeways, or to bigger shopping centres, such as Cameron Toll. Others at the meeting agreed that Gracemount was by no means the only local area with such problems.

WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?

The meeting recognised that retailers will only set up where there is profit to be made. However, Neil Geddes, of the Council’s Trading Standards Section, suggested a number of steps that local people could take to improve the situation. Margaret and others want to set up a Consumer Watchdog Group; Neil agreed that, as an organised group, they would have much more chance of success than they would as individual consumers. Also, if we contact him, his Enforcement Officers can follow up any complaints about e.g. food hygiene or over-pricing.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

It was agreed to hold a second meeting which, it was hoped, would attract more people along after some publicity had been prepared, not least in the “Echo”. The meeting will consider setting up a Consumer Watchdog for South Edinburgh.If you’d like to get involved in the debate, or becoming part of the Watchdog Group, please come along to our next meeting:-

WED 1ST AUGUST @ 7 P.M.in South Edinburgh Local Office

In the meantime, if you’d like more information, please contact Scott at the S.E.R.T. Project on 529 5197 or scott@sert.southedinburgh.net.

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