Traders who were forced to shut their doors following the collapse of a building in West Port are fighting to win a rent rebate from the city council.

A book shop and printing centre were among the hardest hit by the accident, and have already lost thousands of pounds worth of business.

But they have not been given any reduction in the rent they have to pay to the city council, despite being ordered to close for up to four weeks.

Now the Federation of Small Businesses hopes to win a rebate covering the enforced closure.

Richard Brown, manager of Main Point Books, said he had lost thousands of pounds as his Lauriston Street shop was closed for two weeks. He said he had been forced to borrow money to pay the council £320 in rent a month.

He said: "I've phoned up to check but they were adamant I had to pay. I was told I couldn't have any cancellation, although I could have a deferred payment.

"It is possible to get a rebate because of hardship, but people are more concerned about loss of earnings. I've lost a big contract and thousands of pounds. I wasn't able to buy books."

He added: "After the main collapse we were completely shut for two weeks. There was still restricted access when we opened. It's a lot better now, although this area is quite neglected."

James Baxter, manager of the Edinburgh Print Centre, said his business was still experiencing difficulties. He has not heard if he will have to pay rent for the time he was closed, despite contacting the council four weeks ago.

He said: "We couldn't get into the shop for four weeks. There was no access. We couldn't get paper in, or any deliveries. There's still restricted access to the street.

"We're hoping to get a rebate but it's very slow. The difficulty is the impact on the business long-term. A lot of people are avoiding the place altogether.

"I think lots of shops are in the same position, but I don't think the big companies care."

Nigel Duncan, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, has already approached Kenmore Properties, which owns the building, to agree on the ex-gratia payment. He has now written to council leader Jenny Dawe to try to arrange a rebate on the rent for businesses forced to close.

He said: "She has assured me they will be looking sympathetically at the rent demands."

David Beckett, SNP councillor for the city centre ward, said he had spoken to local traders affected and the Federation of Small Businesses.

He said: "We are having meetings with the local businesses, and we will definitely be doing what we can to assist them."

Kenmore Properties has offered "goodwill" payments to up to 50 businesses in the area.