Key facts
- Edinburgh's Princes Street fully reopens Saturday, seven weeks after a major fire.
- The fire occurred at the B-listed former Debenhams building on July 9.
- Businesses reported substantial financial losses due to the closure and disruption.
- Tram services will resume along the full route after safety testing.
- Part of the pavement outside the former store will remain closed for ongoing work.
Edinburgh's Princes Street is set to fully reopen on Saturday, seven weeks after a major fire at the former Debenhams department store forced its closure. The blaze, which occurred in the early hours of July 9, gutted the B-listed building, which was undergoing transformation into Scotland's first Zedwell hotel. The closure significantly impacted businesses, particularly during the city's usually lucrative festival season, due to diverted bus routes and limited tram services. Businesses reported substantial financial losses, with some seeing revenues drop by as much as 50% during what should have been their busiest period. Council teams undertook extensive work to stabilize the building's facade, using steel beams, and removed "several tonnes" of debris. Tram services are expected to resume along the full route after safety testing, though a section of the pavement directly outside the former store will remain closed for ongoing remedial work. City leaders expressed relief at the reopening, acknowledging the difficult period for the city and its businesses.