Jenners masonry inspection launched

The stone fell from the third floor of the store

An inspection of Edinburgh's most famous department store is under way after a chunk of masonry fell off and narrowly missed a passer-by.

The sandstone crashed from the third floor balcony of Jenners in Princes Street. No-one was hurt.

The incident happened less than two months after Australian waitress Christine Foster, 26, was killed when stonework fell from Ryans Bar in the west end of Edinburgh.

Six weeks ago, a foot-long chunk of stone fell 12 feet from another shop on Princes Street but did not hit anyone on the crowded pavement.

Chrstine Foster was working when she was killed

In a statement, Jenners said public safety was its top priority and it was doing everything possible to avoid a repetition in the future.

The 162-year-old store has just spent £2.5m on a major renovation programme.

Masonry expert and University of Edinburgh professor Arnold Hendry warned that problems of crumbling masonry were becoming more common.

He said: "There is a degree of laxness in looking after masonry generally. I often see many old walls that in many instances are in need of repair."

On Thursday, Edinburgh City Council unanimously voted to look into re-establishing a system that would ensure obviously dilapidated and ageing buildings were inspected before they became dangerous.

Buildings repaired

The agency which was previously responsible was closed down about fours years ago.

Council members stressed such a body would not have caught either the Jenners or Ryans Bar problems as both buildings had been repaired and appeared to be in good shape.

Council leader Donald Anderson said: "It just shouldn't be happening to buildings that have been so recently refurbished.

"We need to ask some questions as to why recently refurbished buildings are having these problems.

"We have powers to take action where we're concerned about a safety issue. But in these two cases, there were no signs."