Pub is forced to close while police probe extortion racket

The Gardeners Arms in Gilmerton has been boarded up after owners Scottish & Newcastle ordered its closure "in light of recent events".

Detectives quizzed its landlord and bar staff over the extortion campaign run by a member of a notorious local family and his associate.

The pair made threats against employees and demanded cash at the Drum Street pub, forcing it to close for three days last month while police investigated.

A staff member told the Evening News that the employees had refused to assist officers on the inquiry amid fears for their personal safety.

Despite the police investigation, the staff member said the two gangsters visited the Gardeners Arms at least twice more after it reopened for business, but their demands for payment were rebuffed.

The employee added: "There have been three incidents at the pub with people being threatened, but no money was handed over.

"Now the brewery has closed the pub for 30 days while they look for a new licensee.

"When this first started, we did not want to involve the police and we never notified them about what happened. We couldn't give statements because of safety issues. We're people from the local area.

"We were having our hand forced. If we didn't co-operate with the police then the pub could be shut down. The police weren't happy we didn't give statements and I'm sure they told the brewery about that. Now we're out of the job.

"The pub never gave in and handed over any money.

"But I doubt the brewery will find anyone else to take it over. Who would want to be involved with a pub where you get threatened with extortion?"

A Scottish & Newcastle Pub Company spokeswoman said: "We have taken the difficult decision to temporarily close the pub in light of recent events.

"The future of the pub is still being decided and further details will be available at a later date. We are unable to say any more at this stage due to the ongoing police investigation."

The company refused to comment on whether the landlord had been removed from running the bar.

Sources say the two gangsters involved are behind attempts to extort cash from other pubs and shops in the Gilmerton area, as well as a bid to take over the drug trade in Gilmerton, Craigmillar and Niddrie.

The pair have been trying to cement their dominance following the jailing of Mark Richardson, the leader of an Inch-based gang linked to a string of shootings. Richardson's imprisonment has led to fears of a "drug war" in Edinburgh as former rivals seek to fill the vacuum left behind.