Council updates on fire-hit building safety in Edinburgh 2026

Key Points

• “Complex and painstaking” work is underway to stabilise the fire-damaged former Debenhams building on Princes Street, Edinburgh.
• Steelwork will be fixed to the building’s facade, with internal reinforcement added to preserve the B-listed structure.
• Princes Street remains closed for the “foreseeable future”, disrupting bus and tram services, with partial reopening not expected before August.
• Work is being carried out by crane baskets due to the building’s instability, and even slight wind gusts are causing pauses.
• Council leader Jane Meagher highlighted the challenges and time required to make the building safe while minimising disruption ahead of the festival season.

Edinburgh Council (Edinburgh Daily) July 25, 2026 – The former Debenhams building on uk/local/princes-street/">Princes Street is the focus of “complex and painstaking” efforts to secure the fire-ravaged structure, following a major blaze on July 9, 2026. The City of Edinburgh Council has provided details of the ongoing safety works, which involve stabilising the upper part of the B-listed building and its facade after the fire gutted much of the structure.

As reported by Jane Meagher, leader of Edinburgh City Council, the work is complicated by the building’s unstable condition and the need to preserve its historic features. She said: “Our focus remains on making sure that the public is safe, continuing our work on the site, and keeping the city moving.” The council explained that steelwork will be secured to the facade of the building, with additional reinforcement inside, as part of the retention structure to stabilise the remaining walls.

How is the securing work being carried out and what challenges are faced?

The council revealed that due to the unstable condition of the building, much of the initial work is being done by operatives lowered in the basket of a crane, working by hand from above to remove dangerous debris and stone. This method is necessary because the structure is too dangerous to enter directly, and contractors have been engaged to carry out safety works, including the removal of debris and dangerous materials from inside the building.

Work to remove stone from the building is being carried out using a crane, but even slight gusts of wind have led to this being paused, adding to the timescale of the operation. The council stated that this work requires pieces of stonework to be removed individually, which further complicates and prolongs the process.

Jane Meagher acknowledged the challenges, saying:

“These latest details demonstrate the complex and painstaking nature of the task at hand, and why making the building safe and restoring this key piece of Edinburgh’s heritage will take time.”

She added that the council is working closely with Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses to minimise disruption as much as possible across the network, particularly with the August festival season approaching.

What impact has the closure had on transport and local businesses?

Police have already said that the section of Princes Street will remain closed for the “foreseeable future”, affecting tram and bus services for the city. The closure is expected to continue into August, with diversions in place for buses rerouted along George Street and Queen Street, and trams only operating to and from the airport and Shandwick Place.

No trams are running between Princes Street, Leith and Newhaven, and Lothian Buses has advised that many services will not run through Princes Street, with routes diverted via South Charlotte Street or Frederick Street, George Street, and Charlotte Square. Thirty-five bus services have been affected by the closure, and commuters are being warned to expect disruption and allow extra time for their journeys.

Jane Meagher said: “I’m acutely aware of the impact that the closure of Princes Street is having across the city each and every day, and I want to reassure everyone that we’re doing everything we can to ensure it reopens as soon as it’s safe to do so.” The council has been in touch with the Scottish Government about available support, and Jane Meagher has written to the first minister to discuss what more he can offer, as he did following the Union Street fire in Glasgow.

What is the current status of the fire investigation?

A joint investigation is ongoing to establish the cause of the fire, which broke out in the early hours of Thursday, July 9, 2026, at the disused building on Princes Street. At the peak of the incident, around 50 firefighters were deployed to combat the blaze at the B-listed structure after emergency services were alerted at around 3.05am.

There are no reported injuries and emergency services remain in attendance, with firefighters and officers initially unable to enter the building as it was deemed not safe to enter. Investigators from the fire unit have now been permitted to enter the building, which was previously inaccessible due to safety concerns regarding its structure.

The origin of the fire remains unknown, but an investigation is currently in progress, and authorities have not confirmed when Princes Street will fully reopen. The council and emergency services continue to advise members of the public to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed where possible.

Background of the development

The former Debenhams building on Princes Street is a B-listed structure that has been vacant since the department store chain collapsed and closed its Edinburgh branch in 2020. The building has been the subject of various redevelopment proposals in the years since, but remained unused at the time of the fire. The blaze on July 9, 2026, caused extensive damage, with photographs from the site revealing that the roof has been entirely destroyed and other sections have suffered severe damage. The fire disrupted Princes Street, one of Edinburgh’s main shopping and transport arteries, during the busy summer period leading up to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, amplifying the impact on the city centre’s economy and infrastructure.

Prediction: How this development can affect Edinburgh residents and businesses

The prolonged closure of Princes Street and the ongoing safety works are likely to continue affecting public transport users, local businesses, and residents in the city centre for weeks or possibly months. Commuters and visitors should expect continued bus diversions and limited tram services, which may lead to longer journey times and increased congestion on alternative routes such as George Street. Local businesses, particularly those reliant on footfall from Princes Street, may face reduced trade during the closure, although council support measures could mitigate some of the impact. The successful stabilisation and eventual restoration of the B-listed building will be critical for preserving Edinburgh’s architectural heritage and restoring confidence in the safety and vitality of the city centre. However, the complexity of the work and the need for careful, safe operations mean that full reopening and normalisation of services will take time, requiring patience and adaptability from the public and business community alike.