THE loss of Haddington Sheriff Court could cost the town’s economy more than £300,000 a year, East Lothian Council’s chief executive has said.

Businesses in Haddington town centre are already reporting that the loss of customers is having an impact – while, at the same time, police and council staff are spending more time travelling to Edinburgh for court appearances, and waiting for cases to be heard.

Despite the courthouse only closing its doors one month ago, Angela Leitch, the local authority’s chief executive, said there were indications that its loss was being felt in the town centre.

She said: “Anecdotally, we have evidence that the impact on Haddington town centre has been more significant than traders first expected.

“We had estimated a £300,000 loss to the town centre but it could be in excess of that.” Ms Leitch said council officials were keen to look at the impact the closure was having on staff who were required to travel to Edinburgh Sheriff Court for cases.

She said the situation was being monitored and they expected to have a report on the impact brought to councillors in the near future.

Councillor John McMillan, cabinet spokesperson for economic development and tourism, said he was already hearing about businesses being hit by the loss of trade and had concerns about police officers having to spend long periods of time out of East Lothian attending court.

He said: “I have heard of businesses who say they have lost three dozen customers who worked at or attended court regularly and are no longer around.” He urged fellow councillors to support the campaign launched by Angela Craig, the president of the local Faculty of Advocates, to bring one of the Scottish Government’s planned summary courts to Haddington.

Independent councillor David Berry said he worried that offenders in East Lothian would suffer “harsh” justice when they appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court and were missing out on the support systems in place in East Lothian to stop reoffending.

He said: “It is about appropriate justice for people in East Lothian. We are investing in police action teams who work with people to keep them on the right track.

“Now they are simply transferring these cases to Edinburgh where justice is more digital and harsh – it is not helpful. It will send more criminals back to us.” And Dunbar councillor Norman Hampshire said he was already seeing the closure cause hardship in his constituency.

He said: “Travelling from East Lothian to Edinburgh is not an easy task for many people. It is particularly hard from Dunbar and can be an expensive business for people who may not have the means.” Councillor Stuart Currie, SNP opposition leader, said his party also opposed the closure of the court and their position had not changed.

However, he urged the council to look at other ways to utilise the court building, which is due to come into local authority ownership, to help boost the local economy.

He said: “The court is closed and we need to look at how to use the building for the local economic benefit of the community.” Meanwhile East Lothian’s Labour politicians launched an attack on Mr Currie for failing to sign the council’s most recent letter to Scottish Government Minister Michael Mathieson calling for a rethink on the closure of the court. Council leader Willie Innes said Mr Currie’s failure to sign was “little surprise”.

He said: “It simply reaffirms the SNP’s inability to stand up for East Lothian and our local communities.” While East Lothian MSP Iain Gray described his decision as “hugely disappointing”.

When challenged about the absence of his signature at a council meeting this week, Mr Currie said he did not sign the letter because it did not say anything new.

He said he wanted the letter to tackle the issue of the Lord President’s recent comments supporting the closures.

He said: “I felt we should have addressed the Lord President’s views. I did not think this letter added anything to the previous letters.” Mr Currie added: “The position of our group has not changed in terms of the decision to close the court.” Local businesses have told the Courier how they were counting the cost of the court’s closure.

Karen Fleming, from the neighbouring The Plough Tavern pub and restaurant, said: “We would have solicitors and people that were up for their cases coming in and having soup or a pint [before the court closed].

“We had friends and family coming for a coffee while they waited and things like that.

“I think it is not just the pubs that have been affected but cafes, Tesco and other local businesses. If people are up at court for two or three hours they will wander about.” It was a view backed by Hilary Dickson, from Hilary’s Deli.

She said there had been “quite a significant drop” in terms of early morning business.

She added: “The whole town benefited from having the court here.”