Category: New Town

Arusha Gallery opens digital doors of exclusive new online store

Arusha Gallery proudly opens the doors to a new online store, presenting a bespoke and exclusive curated selection of publications, limited edition prints and art objects for purchase.  

The new online store reflects the continued development of Arusha Gallery since opening its main premises in Edinburgh’s New Town in 2013.

The acclaimed contemporary art gallery runs an annual programme of exhibitions, events and fairs, both nationally and internationally, with regular collaborations with guest artists, curators, festivals and institutions.    

Offered in addition to work presented physically in the main gallery, the new online store provides audiences the opportunity to own exclusive and limited-edition items from a range of acclaimed artists represented by the gallery, alongside an exciting number of contemporary makers and designers. By no means simply an extension of the physical gallery, the online platform allows both artists and the curators to share a wider breadth of work, indeed some of their own favourite pieces.

Featured artists and makers will rotate throughout the year, those included in the opening offer include; a limited-edition Charlotte Keates Monograph ahead of her 2021 solo show, A Constant Hum which is available to pre-order for 2021 – with the limited edition including first ever hand finished print.

A striking series of gouache on Yupo paper works by Edinburgh based painter Jacob Littlejohn, each work reflecting the artist’s remarkable eye for composition and a surety of concept.

An exclusive range of candlesticks and candelabras, each one unique and hand-built by Blue Firth at Dohm Ceramics, the Nottingham based studio whose design practice works with brands and collectives whose focus is on intuitive design, sustainability and care.

Painter and printmaker, Plum Cloutman has created a series of etchings on watercolour paper, each featuring the sharp and deliberate lines the artist uses to differentiate pools of soft colour characteristics of the scenes she paints. The online store also features a small number of limited editions, lavishly illustrated publications which accompanied shows (Linger Awhile, 2018 and Beasts, 2020) at Arusha Gallery by one of Scotland’s most distinctive artists, Helen Flockhart.

Agnieszka Prendota, Creative Director at Arusha Gallery said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of the Arusha Gallery online store and hope that our customers and clients enjoy browsing through it as much as we enjoyed curating it.

“Home to an eclectic mix of publications, objet d’art and limited edition prints, the store is not simply an extension of the gallery proper, but rather a new platform from which we can shine a spotlight on a further selection of makers, artists and art forms.”

Arusha’s online store is open now via www.arushagallery.com/store

Kitchen design studio puts the business in the hands of its team

DEDICATED staff at a kitchen design business have been given full control of their futures as it becomes the first employee-owned firm of its type in the UK.

Cameron Interiors, which has a studio in Edinburgh’s Dundas Street, has become renowned throughout Scotland for luxury German kitchens – and is the country’s only Bulthaup dealer, regarded as the most exclusive kitchen brand available.

Founded in 1979 by Leonard Cameron, since 1997 it has been owned and run by Managing Director Kirsten Robeson and her husband Ian. It has since grown to a team of 12 across the two locations, supported by a dedicated and trusted installation team, some of whom have been with the business for more than 40 years.

Having initially considered a trade sale, this idea was quickly rejected and instead they chose to entrust and empower their dedicated team, who work with discerning private clients, architects and carefully selected developers such as Edinburgh based Square & Crescent.

Kirsten, who is originally from Glasgow and has been with the firm since leaving college in 1993, said: “This is my chance to ‘pay it forward’ to a brilliant team that have enabled us to cement our position in the market and allow us all to look forward to a bright future.

“Designing kitchens at this upper end of the market is a deeply personal process and the people and the service are as essential as the unwavering quality of the product.

“The notion of selling to a trade buyer was a non-starter, as so much would be put at risk. When I found out about employee-ownership I was intrigued – and huge thanks to Linzi Wilson of Consilium for guiding us through the process as smoothly as possible.”

All shares of Cameron Interiors have now been placed into an Employee Ownership Trust with all staff immediately becoming beneficiaries. In time, all employees can benefit from an annual share of any profits.

To ensure a smooth transition, Kirsten will remain MD for the medium term, fully supporting and advising the business before ultimately retiring with Ian to spend more time with their family.

She will also take a seat on the Trust Board alongside Edinburgh manager Louise Delaney, who has many years’ experience working to grow the business and has played a crucial role in its east coast expansion. Aileen Wilson will remain Glasgow store manager, having played an integral role in the management team.

Kirsten had been unaware of the employee ownership option until a conversation with her accountants, Consilium CA. Partner, Linzi Wilson introduced the idea, and as Linzi explained how the Employee Ownership Trust worked, Kirsten saw this as the ideal solution.

Linzi said: “Consilium are delighted to have advised Cameron Interiors on the successful transition to Employee Ownership.  It has been a pleasure to work with Kirsten and the team and look forward to the business flourishing under the new ownership structure. 

“It was evident from our initial discussions with Kirsten that preserving the legacy of the business and protecting the workforce and her loyal clients were significant priorities for her when considering the options for succession. 

“This is the third Employee Buyout we have advised on in recent months, all completed since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Employee Ownership can be an excellent solution for business owners who are considering their succession planning options.

Carole Leslie of Ownership Associates also advised on the deal. With demand for the succession model growing year on year, Carole has now helped more than 60 businesses achieve their goal.

Carole said: “Cameron Interiors is the embodiment of quality kitchen and interior design in Scotland – renowned not just in Glasgow and Edinburgh, but throughout the country.

“Brands like theirs are so often family affairs, making succession difficult. In becoming the first to go through employee ownership they are blazing a trail, one that I’m sure many more will follow.”

April Bingham, Head of Corporate, Bellwether Green, provided legal advice. 

April said: “It was fantastic to work with Carole and Linzi again and for the first time with the team at Cameron Interiors.

“It is obvious that Kirsten was extremely keen to find a path for the company that embraced the whole team and inspired them to participate in its onward journey.”

For more information on Cameron Interiors, visit: https://cameroninteriors.co.uk/

New Town Quarter Community Update Bulletin: December 2020

Latest Updates From The New Town Quarter Project Team

Following the consultation for our planning application which was submitted at the end of August this year, we have been liaising with the City of Edinburgh Council planning department and have agreed to make some technical design amendments to specific areas of the development proposals, in line with advice received.  

These amendments include: 

•    moving the office building further away from Fettes Row
•    reducing massing on the top floor of the northern residential blocks to improve the view from Dundonald Street 
•    increasing the use of natural stone in the office building facing Fettes Row and the building on Eyre Place, along with some of the hard landscape paving on the main route through to the King George V Park
•    design refinement to some areas of the elevations on Dundas Street and Eyre Place.

The drawings and supporting information will be with the Council by the end of this week. A further consultation period will run from 11 December to 12 January and will be available for review on the Council’s portal. You can access the link here: 

https://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/idoxpa-web/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=QE494UEWGJT00

We will be in contact with the relevant local community groups to advise them of the changes and we will make ourselves available to provide any additional information required if we can.

We hope you find the time to look at the updated proposals and provide comment. If you do have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

In the meantime, I would like to thank everyone once again for their input to the proposals so far and hope you are able to enjoy the festive season. Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Ross McNulty, Development Director at Ediston

ross.mcnulty@ediston.com
Mobile: 07651 207402

Reflecting the Very Best of Edinburgh’s New Town

Plans have been submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council for the New Town Quarter development.

Proposals include a mix of new homes, offices and public amenities on the 5.9-acre former Royal Bank of Scotland site, at the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town. We have received a huge amount of interest in our proposals – including more than 4,000 visitors to our website from Edinburgh, Scotland and across the world. 

This has become one of the largest consultations ever carried out for a city centre development and we would like to thank everyone who has contributed to it by passing on their views and comments, all of which has helped shape our final application. It is hoped that the application will be discussed at committee by the City of Edinburgh Council in the New Year. 

For more information on the New Town Quarter, please click HERE
 

Business Benefits To The City Centre

A recent survey of 32 local businesses which surround the New Town Quarter area showed overwhelming support for the development plans.  The area brings together an interesting mix of mainly independent traders – including cafes, restaurants, bars, hairdressers and guest houses.

Many of them were hit hard when RBS vacated their premises in 2017 and are now suffering further following the ongoing trading restrictions imposed by the pandemic. The New Town Quarter will bring much-needed investment to the city centre – and most importantly, bring people back to the local area to create a vibrant and exciting new destination. 

Click HERE to read some of the comments posted by local businesses who support our planning application.

Click HERE to find out how the New Town Quarter will help local businesses back on the road to recovery.

Feedback & Contact

For more information on New Town Quarter, please contact:

Ross McNulty, Development Director, Ediston.ross.mcnulty@ediston.com 

Mobile: 07651 207 402

Kintore House goes Native!

Leading UK aparthotel brand Native will be taking over management of Edinburgh’s Kintore House on Queen Street, opening on the 1st December. 

Originally constructed in the 1790s, the building is a significant part of the original fabric of Edinburgh’s New Town, an area of outstanding neo-classical and Georgian architecture and a UNESCO world heritage site.

With 82 apartments comprising studios, one-bedrooms, and ground floor leisure and co-working spaces, Native Edinburgh will build upon Native’s unique ethos of providing the flexibility and amenities of a design-led boutique hotel, coupled with the space, comfort and privacy of a home from home.

Native Edinburgh follows the successful launch of boutique aparthotels in Glasgow at the Anchorline Building off George Square in 2018 and Manchester at Ducie Street Warehouse – awarded best hotel of the North by the Sunday Times – in 2019. 

Native will also showcase their unique community-inspired ‘neighbourhood heroes’ – partnering with independent local businesses to offer guests a truly Scottish stay at Native Edinburgh.

Native CEO and founder Guy Nixon said: “After opening in Glasgow in 2018, it was a natural step to head to the wonderful city of Edinburgh, building on our commitment to bring the Native concept to wider regions of the UK.

“Following the successful launch of Native Manchester last year – which proudly won The Sunday Times Best Hotel of the North 2019 – we are excited to be operating in Scotland’s two greatest cities. 

“Even with the challenges of this year’s global Coronavirus pandemic, leisure demand for aparthotels has been buoyant in the months coming out of lockdown and we’re well placed to capture post-COVID demand. We’re looking forward to welcoming all guests back when the time is right, and everyone can expect a safe environment with the strictest safely and cleaning practices in place”.

Native Edinburgh joins Native Glasgow and Native Manchester alongside eleven sites in London including Native Bankside. Future sites under development include Leeds, York, Bristol, Oxford and London’s Soho. 

In response to Covid-19, Native operate a detailed Stay Safe commitment across all of their properties. 

Prices for a Studio at Native Edinburgh will start from £89 per night.

For more information and to book, please visit: www.nativeplaces.com.

Local salon up for Salon Awards

MARKDAVID salon based in Stockbridge, has received the news it has finalised for the Salon Awards in two categories – Best Customer Experience and for the Best New or Refurbished Salon category.

With the salon being open for only just one year, this is an incredible achievement, being the third awards the salon has finalised for since opening and during such a turbulent year.

The Salon Awards are the only virtual hair and beauty industry awards where hair and beauty can compete at a local level in their fields of expertise.

Focused on improving standards, elevating business, rewarding individuals, and showcasing the professionalism of their industry locally, and with an impressive audience and reputation with its industry peers, the Salon Awards are a fantastic platform for hair and beauty professionals with a devotion to showcasing talent and giving those the opportunity to be recognised by their industry.

To enter the awards, the MARKDAVID salon had to provide written entries showcasing passion and personality and outlining why they should win the chosen category. Questions had to be answered fully and be supported with evidence, picture and videos in the format specified.

Out of 1000’s of entries collated and judged, MARKDAVID was chosen as the finalist for two categories. The winners of each category will be announced at a virtual ceremony on Saturday 12th December through the Salon Awards portal and will include a live DJ set and a showcase of sponsors and partners.

Mark McCarthy, Owner of MARKDAVID, commented: “I am absolutely delighted our salon has been announced as the finalist for two categories in the Salon Awards. The salons design and interior means a great deal to me and is something I took a lot of time and effort to decide on to create something I knew my clients would love.

“Our customer service is something we pride ourselves on too and we are constantly trying to think of new ideas to offer our clients something new and different from other salons and thinking of ways we can go the extra mile and exceed their expectations.

“To win either or both of the awards in December would be amazing and would end the year on such a high!”

Revised plans launched for Edinburgh’s New Town Quarter

Proposal of Application Notice lodged for residential units to replace Hotel option

Plans have been submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council for the New Town Quarter development. Proposals include a mix of new homes, offices and public amenities on the 5.9-acre former Royal Bank of Scotland site, at the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town. 

We have received a huge amount of interest in our proposals – including more than 4,000 visitors to our website from Edinburgh, Scotland and across the world. This has become one of the largest consultations ever carried out for a city centre development and we would like to thank everyone who has contributed to it by passing on their views and comments, all of which has helped shape our final application.

It is hoped that the application will be discussed at committee by the City of Edinburgh Council in December 2020.

For more information on the New Town Quarter, please click HERE

Ediston and Orion Capital Managers have lodged a new Proposal of Application for the New Town Quarter, one of the largest city centre developments to come forward in Edinburgh for a generation.

Plans were originally submitted to the city council at the end of July for offices, new homes and a hotel on the 5.9 acre former Royal Bank of Scotland site on Dundas Street in the heart of the New Town.

Now, updated proposals have been brought forward to provide around 79 new residential units to replace the hotel ‘as a response to changes in the economic climate caused by the coronavirus outbreak’.

The Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) means there will now be additional public consultation for the new application – this was launched on 8th October.

Welcoming the proposals, Ross McNulty, Development Director at Ediston, said: “This is the largest brownfield site to come forward in the city centre for many years and we have worked closely with the community and local organisations to create a high quality and vibrant new mixed-use neighbourhood.

“Understandably, there is now a need to review the development mix considering the huge impact that Covid-19 has had on the Scottish and global economies.

“While we remain positive that our overall proposals are robust, the reduced activity in the hospitality sector has driven a need to consider an alternative option for the hotel element of the development.”

Ross McNulty continued: “We have already carried out one of the most extensive consultations on a development in Edinburgh, and we would like to thank all the residents and groups that have provided feedback.

“Our proposals will provide a major economic boost to the local area and to the city centre and whilst our review has shown the proposals to be robust despite the impact on the Covid-19 crisis, it has highlighted the need to consider an alternative use to the hotel.

“Edinburgh’s economy is one of the strongest and most resilient in the UK and we are encouraged that New Town Quarter remains on track.”

The PAN is to be lodged imminently with the Council and the public consultation will also be publicised and commence shortly.

The change in approach will require a separate planning application involving another public consultation programme, most likely to be held online. The overall development has already been subject to three separate consultations, the most recent of which took place online in April.

Latest research shows the New Town Quarter is poised to bring significant economic benefit to the local area, and the wider in the city centre.

The operational phase of the development the community and local organisations to create a high quality and would create more than 700 full-time jobs whilst generating an annual GVA (Gross Added Value) economic uplift of £34.4 million to the local and regional economy.

The construction phase alone would create a further £27.7 million at a regional level, creating a further 60 full time jobs. Many of the area’s local bars, restaurants, cafes, barbers, hairdressers, and shops are also set to benefit from the huge amount of business and activity that development is set to generate during construction and beyond.

For more information visit: www.newtownnorth.co.uk

New_Town_North_Community_Update_1_October_2020_v3Download

Stockbridge Salon reaches final of The Big One UK Awards

It’s a great year for local salon, MARKDAVID, based in Stockbridge, who have learned they have made the final of the Tribu-te Magazine The Big One UK Awards 2020 in The Design One Category.

The Big One UK 2020 awards are brainchild of the hairdressing industry trade magazine Tribu-te Magazine and were created to recognise UK hairdressing talent, both emerging and established.

The Design One category was open for eye-catching and chic salon design within the UK industry and to enter the salon had to submit four photographs showcasing the salons exceptional interior and décor, as well as credits of the photographs and details of the salon.

MARKDAVID was then chosen as one of seven finalists for The Design One category by a panel of judges, including editors from the international editions of Tribu-te and esteemed hairdressers and ambassadors from the awards three sponsors L’Oréal Professional, Great Lengths and Paul Mitchell.

The winners and trophies will be announced and awarded in November.

The salon, which opened in November 2019, has been an incredible success in its first year of opening with this award being the second the salon have finalised for this year with its interior design.

The salon also finalised for trade magazine, Salon Businesses Salon Business Awards in the Design Salon category, where they will find out their fate and if they have won the award in November in a digital grand final streamed live to the salon.

Mark McCarthy, owner of MARKDAVID, said: “To be a finalist for the Tribu-te The Big One Awards 2020 is incredible, I’m on such a high! I put a lot of time and effort into the design of my salon and ensuring it would be a relaxing and luxurious space for clients and enhance their experience in the salon.

“From the colours to the furnishings and the small finishing touches, I wanted everything to be perfect and the salon to have a unique and exclusive feel. For the top industry awards to recognise the effort put in and to appreciate this, it’s a great feeling.

“We are also currently expanding the salon further and I cannot wait to show everyone the new space and design!”

Indulge at Home for Autumn/Winter

by MARK McCARTHY, owner of MARK DAVID SALON in Henderson Row

With current pandemic it’s so important for us to take time for ourselves at home to relax, indulge and have some self-care time. The colder months can also play havoc on our hair and leave our hair looking dry and frizzy and therefore it’s so important that we look after our hair and ensure we are keeping it moisturised at all times.

In the salon, after you have had a treatment with us, we provide you with a hot towel with lavender, which accentuates the hair treatment and allows you really unwind and feel good. To do this at home we have put together some simple steps:

1. Wash your hair in the shower and once you come out, dry out your hair and get rid of any excess water by patting it with a hair towel (not rubbing) before getting changed into your favourite lounging outfit or dressing gown.

2. Get a hand towel and drench this with water.

3. Wring out the water and add some essential oil to the hand towel. (If you do not have any essential oil you can use a few sprays of your favourite perfume).

4. Heat your towel in the microwave to a temperature that suits (be careful as the towel can be very hot!)

5. Apply your favourite treatment to your damp hair.

6. Wrap your hair in the hot towel and set up your sofa to enjoy 15 minutes of bliss!

7. Once you’ve finished this step you can rinse and then dry your hair as normal with your hairdryer and it should feel soft and silky and the experience will have made you feel a lot more relaxed and pampered!

Follow the MARKDAVID salon on Instagram at

https://www.instagram.com/markdavidsalon/ 

and for bookings call 0131 285 0991.

Police seek witnesses to New Town collision

Officers from Edinburgh Road Policing Unit are appealing for information after a road crash on Friday (18 September, 2020).

Around 9.45pm on Friday evening, a 26-year-old man was riding his electric scooter to cross the road on Great King Street at its junction with Dundas Street, when he was struck by a vehicle that failed to stop.

The man returned home then later made his way to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he was treated for his injuries and later released.

Police were then made aware of the incident.

Inspector Roger Park said: “Since this crash was reported to us, we have been carrying out enquiries to establish more details on this incident, and we are working to identify the vehicle involved and trace its occupants.

“I would appeal to anyone who witnessed this incident, or who was driving on this road around the time of the crash on Friday evening who has dash-cam footage to get in touch, as they may have information that will help our investigation.”

Anyone with details should contact Edinburgh Road Policing Unit on 101 quoting reference number 4418 of 18 September.

Amazon supports Edinburgh children’s charities

Two Edinburgh children’s charities have received £4,000 in donations from Amazon’s Development Centre in the city. 

Amazon Development Centre Scotland donated £2,000 to Canongate Youth and £2,000 to The Yard. 

The donations were made as part of the ‘Amazon in the Community’ programme, whereby the company supports the communities around its operating locations across the UK. 

Canongate Youth supports children across Edinburgh and the Lothians, offering youth clubs, support services, advice and counselling. Amazon Development Centre Scotland has supported the charity since 2014. 

The Yard is an organisation that creates safe play areas for disabled children and their siblings, giving them the chance to experience creative, adventurous indoor and outdoor play in a well-supported environment. 

The charity plans to use the money to support more disabled children and families with online videos for early years, play ideas and relaxation, and work towards bringing more people back into the playground in line with current guidance. 

Graeme Smith, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, said: “We are pleased to offer these donations to such brilliant charities. We hope the support will help both charities continue their important work with the children of our community.” 

Amazon’s Tich Kent with Anna Robinson (left) partnership manager and Danielle Campbell play team leader. NOTE picture was pre-COVID

Jenny MacDonald, Director of Development at The Yard, added: “We are very grateful for this donation from the Amazon team and for their support of our mission to ensure every child has the right to safe and fun play. We would like to say a big thank you to Amazon for its kind support.” 

Amazon’s Development Centre in Scotland is responsible for innovations used around the world by the company, including machine learning to power Amazon’s smart features like personalised recommendations and intelligent advertising. 

Community donations is one of a number of ways in which Amazon is supporting communities across the UK during COVID-19. 

Amazon is providing disadvantaged students with online STEM courses as well as teaming up with charity partner Magic Breakfast and delivering three quarters of a million healthy breakfasts to families around the UK. 

For more information on how Amazon is supporting the UK during COVID-19, click here.