A SHOP owner who stepped in to help bring a village shop back to life has described a decision by East Lothian Council not to pay to improve disabled access to the store as “disappointing”.

Kevan Potter, who runs Potter’s Deli, Tranent, took over the lease of the village shop in Elphinstone after realising the impact the shop’s closure had had on residents, and in particular the elderly.

But he was stunned when he was told that although East Lothian Council owned the property, his lease dictated he would have to pay for improvements to help his older customers climb the step at his front door.

Mr Potter, a Tranent and Elphinstone community councillor, said: “It is very disappointing. Elphinstone has a very high elderly population and many of our customers find it difficult to get into the shop because there is a step at the door. Handrails would make a huge difference to them but will cost upwards of £800 to put in and we can’t afford that as a new business.

“I had hoped the council would step in as it is an access issue but they have simply said it is my responsibility.”

Mr Potter stepped in to re-open the shop, which is now run by him and his team and has been renamed Peeptoon Store, earlier this year after it closed its doors.

At the time he carried out a survey of local residents to find out what they wanted the store to supply and to make sure it met their needs.

At that time he realised how many people living in the village were elderly and he said it was only after opening the shop that he realised the lack of a handrail was an issue.

Mr Potter said: “We don’t mind going out to help our customers into the shop but handrails would make a huge difference and allow many to come in independently. “ The council said it could not comment on individual matters but a spokesperson said: “The lease between the council and a commercial tenant differs from that between the council and a tenant of a residential property.

“Commercial tenants have a range of responsibilities within their lease, including alterations, subject to the landlord’s consent. The council continues to work closely with its commercial tenants and small businesses who want to set up and grow and offers a range of support through its estates department, economic development department and Business Gateway Service.”