Adviser to help shops stay open

SHOPS that operate along Edinburgh's proposed tram route are to be given free advice from a new business champion.

Dany Brewer has been recruited as a 'street representative' by the Open for Business group - set up to help businesses during the tram work.

She will give advice on everything from improving shop fronts to making sure they have a good website.

Graham Birse, deputy chief executive of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and chairman of Open for Business, said: "The role was requested by the businesses.

"At the moment, many businesses - especially smaller ones - find it difficult to get engaged with public sector funding and they find it difficult to benefit from the web and think it is expensive. It is for these reasons that we have created this new role."