![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_CMP_SDR_080920EdinburghGrassmarketPubs_01JPG.jpg\")
Edinburgh Grassmarket pubs have hit out at SP Energy in a letter.(Image: Daily Record)<\/p>\nAt least 30 Grassmarket venues say repeated outages have cost them thousands in Christmas trade, leaving staff and customers frustrated.Edinburgh Grassmarket pubs have hit out at SP Energy in a letter.(Image: Daily Record)<\/p>\n
Businesses in Edinburgh\u2019s Old Town<\/a> say they have been \u201ccrippled\u201d by power cuts in the the Grassmarket \u2014 one of the city\u2019s busiest nightlife and hospitality hubs \u2014 with engineers scrambling to fix the problem just hours before Hogmanay.<\/p>\n At least 30 restaurants and bars have hit out after lost trade over Christmas,<\/a> with pub owners warning that the repeated blackouts are driving customers away at the busiest time of year.<\/p>\n SP Energy Networks confirmed it was dealing with intermittent issues in the area and said engineers were working \u201cto resolve the problem as quickly as possible”.<\/p>\n Pub owners say the issue has been ongoing since 2021 and have have shared a letter with the BBC <\/a>written to SP Energy Networks\u2019 chief executive, copying in City of Edinburgh Council<\/a> and local MSP Angus Robertson, to express \u201cdeep concern\u201d over the recurring outages.<\/p>\n The letter states: \u201cWhile we appreciate SP Energy Networks\u2019 apologies, the recurring nature of these outages points to systemic vulnerabilities that require urgent and permanent solutions. The current reactive approach is insufficient to safeguard businesses and customers in this critical hospitality district.\u201d<\/p>\n Some venues have faced power cuts multiple times a day, leaving Friday night and Saturday lunchtime services completely lost over one festive weekend \u2014 costing thousands of pounds in revenue.<\/p>\n \u201cMeanwhile, business costs remain. Staff must still be paid, food is wasted, and bookings are lost,\u201d the letter adds, highlighting the frustration of owners trying to operate during the holiday season.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for SP Energy Networks said: \u201cWe\u2019re experiencing intermittent issues with the power supply to the Grassmarket area of Edinburgh and would like to reassure all customers and businesses that we\u2019re doing our utmost to resolve the issue as soon as possible ahead of Hogmanay celebrations starting later.<\/p>\n \u201cYesterday\u2019s faults were the result of Low Voltage protection fuse operation due to an intermittent fault being defected, which saw customers off for an hour in the afternoon, approx. 3pm-5pm, and again from 6pm-8pm. We fully recognise the impact this will have caused at such a busy time of year, and we apologise for the inconvenience. Power tripped again midmorning today and we\u2019re currently on site and working to resolve this as soon as possible.<\/p>\n Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!<\/p>\n Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.<\/p>\n You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_A-young-couple-shop-in-the-Grassmarket-in-Edinburgh-Scotland.jpg\")
Buisnesses have said they’ve faced multiple blackouts(Image: Getty Images\/Image Source)<\/p>\n