Category: South Side

Edinburgh charity shop in need of local support after fire

A charity shop which was left devastated after a fire broke out in the building above is calling for locals to ‘come and see them’ after struggling to regain local support since reopening at the end of last year. 

A fire broke out in the building above the South Bridge PDSA charity shop last June, causing the shop to close for five months.   

The shop located at 88-89 South Bridge, EH1 1HN, officially re-opened again at the end of last November, but has since struggled to regain the local support it had before the fire.  

PDSA Cluster Shop Manager, Fiona Lawrie, said: “Since the unavoidable closure of South Bridge, after re-opening we’re not as busy as we once were. We miss seeing all of the old familiar faces and would love to see them in store again!

“The shop is also in need of donations and would be very grateful if any locals had a ‘spring clean’ and sent some unwanted goods our way, in particular womenswear.  

“Our charity shops play a huge role in helping to fund the veterinary care in our Pet Hospitals, and the local community is truly at the centre of it! We’re so grateful to everyone who dedicates their time to helping out in our shops, as well as everyone who donates goods, or shops with us.   

“The store in South Bridge provides the lovely locals the chance to purchase high-quality, cut-price products while supporting a vital charity service. We’re hopeful the shop will once again become a staple spot for locals to enjoy.  

“We are extremely grateful to all of the people who support PDSA because they believe in what we do. It’s the generous support from donating unwanted items, making a purchase, or volunteering in our charity shops, that goes back into helping keep people and pets together in their times of need through our Pet Hospitals.”   

For anyone who wishes to browse, shop or donate, visit the store at: PDSA South Bridge shop, 88-89 South Bridge, EH1 1HN.  

The Scholar Hotel unveils a new culinary destination in the Southside

Following a refurbishment, The University of Edinburgh Hospitality & Events Collection has officially opened The Brasserie at The Scholar – offering a modern take on British cuisine, using the finest locally sourced ingredients.  

Nestled on the edge of Edinburgh’s city centre, the restaurant forms part of The Scholar Hotel and provides a welcome retreat for both guests and locals alike at its tranquil location at the foot of Arthur’s Seat.

The Scholar’s Executive Chef, Ed Fortune, introduces seasonal menus that blend traditional favourites with innovative flavours, showcasing the restaurant’s partnerships with Scottish suppliers.

As spring arrives, guests can savour delicacies like Shetland mussels, Scottish asparagus, and new season raspberries.

Meanwhile, as winter bids farewell, comforting dishes like smoked duck with Stornoway black pudding, roast cauliflower with orange and cavolo nero, and lamb rump with maple bacon, green beans, miso neeps, and tarragon are available.

Classic offerings such as fish and chips, along with a selection of sandwiches and burgers, complete the menu.

For post dinner drinks guests can enjoy a selection of expertly crafted cocktails and mocktails at the hotel’s Lounge Bar, including the Bee’s Knees – a mix of honey, lemon and gin in partnership with Summerhall’s Pickering’s Gin – and classic cocktails with a twist, like Coconut Mojito or Tiramisu Martini.

The extensive wine selection, curated in partnership with Dalgety Bay based wine merchants l’Art du Vin, includes a range of bottles made with passion and integrity by ethical artisan producers.

Gavin MacLennan, Group General Manager – Operations, The University of Edinburgh Hospitality and Events Collection said: “At The Brasserie we are passionate about seasonal produce and providing our guests the fresh and rich flavours of Scotland throughout the year.

“Moving into spring, we wanted to offer a lighter, brighter menu that captures the very best of British cuisine, collaborating with the finest local suppliers to bring each dish together.

“We look forward to welcoming local residents and visitors to Edinburgh at The Brasserie. There are exciting developments in the works at all of our hotels within the collection and we cannot wait to share them with local community in the coming months.”

For more information, please visit: www.uoecollection.com/hotels/the-scholar/the-brasserie-lounge-bar

The Causey welcomes hundreds of supporters for International Women’s Day active travel event

On Friday 8 March Causey Development Trust welcomed over 200 visitors to The Causey for ‘Our Streets’, an event that transformed the area’s iconic architecture with colourful projected imagery inspired by active travel.

To create the stunning projections, artwork made by the community was animated by award-winning artists Robert Motyka and the Beetroots Collective team and was accompanied by a soundscape designed by Marta Adamowicz.

The individual lino–print artworks created at community workshops, were displayed in an exhibition held in the Southside Community Centre in advance of the event.

Robert Motyka, part of the Beetroots Collective responsible for creating the projections, said: “It was just fantastic to see so many people turn up, despite the cold and wind, to enjoy the Our Streets event.

“Not only that, but to have both Critical Mass and the Infra Sisters finish up their rides at our event – it was an honour, and goes to show that what The Causey is trying to do resonates with people across our local community and across the city.”

On the night the Infra Sisters, a group of women campaigning for night-time cycling infrastructure that’s safe and comfortable for women and girls, cycled into the Causey around 20:45 to huge dramatic effect, before enjoying the final viewing of the evening.

Committed to transforming this soulless traffic island and traffic dominated street in The Southside, into a place that prioritises pedestrians, active travel and the coming together of community, this is just one of a series of upcoming events to be hosted by Causey Development Trust in 2024.

Causey Development Trust hopes that capital works at The Causey will begin in 2025. For more information on the plans, created by local Landscape Architects Ironside Farrar, and how the Causey Development Trust reached this point, reached this point, visit www.thecausey.org 



New Infirmary Street Hub for Festival Fringe Society

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society (EFFS) is set to develop a new festival hub after the City of Edinburgh Council agreed a long lease for one of its buildings in the city centre.

The decision to lease South Bridge Resource Centre was taken at a meeting of the Council’s Finance and Resources Committee on Thursday (14 March).

The EFFS proposals, funded from an award of up to £7m from the UK Government, would see the building completely refurbished and modernised, with an emphasis on access and carbon reduction, as it is transformed into a year-round resource.

Detailed work is ongoing to identify other venues for the current users of South Bridge Resource Centre – the majority are adult education classes with suitable alternative locations already identified – and further detailed and responsive engagement will take place as plans are finalised.

Councillor Val Walker, Culture and Communities Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Today’s decision means the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society now has a substantial city centre location for their exciting plans for a new hub.

“The proposals are for a new, year-round space which includes opportunities for local cultural organisations, artists, and communities to use as well as a Fringe Festival home. 

“The Council has a vital role to play in ensuring residents have access to creative and cultural opportunities wherever they live in our city. 

“We’re committed to regular funding, partnership working, and backing development programmes and projects. By doing this, we can support and facilitate the stability and development of our city’s exceptional array of cultural activities, venues, communities and events at every level. 

“As part of the proposals, suitable alternative locations have already been identified for the majority of groups and classes that currently use the building. Further detailed and responsive engagement will take place as we identify venues going forward.

Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: The Committee’s decision today is an important milestone in the journey towards creating a new Fringe community hub.

“We’re pleased with the decision and excited to move a step closer towards providing a flexible, functional, sustainable and accessible space to bring artists, residents, community groups and the Fringe community together.”

Appeal following serious crash in Nicolson Street

Road policing officers are appealing for information following a serious crash in Nicolson Street involving a pedestrian and a bus.

The incident happened around 8pm last night (Wednesday, 11 January, 2023).

Emergency services attended and the pedestrian, a 51-year-old man, was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where his conditions is described as critical. No one else was injured.

The road was closed for crash investigation work to be carried out and re-opened around 4am this morning (Thursday, 12 January, 2023).

Sergeant Jill Kirkpatrick said: “Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of what happened and we are asking anyone who can assist to get in touch.

“If you were in the area at the time and saw what happened or were driving and have dash-cam footage that could help with our enquiries then please make contact.”

Anyone who can help is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 3101 of Wednesday, 11 December, 2023.

Vet charity appeals for volunteers ahead of South Bridge shop launch

PDSA, the vet charity for pets in need, is calling on kind-hearted volunteers to support its life-saving work by offering a helping hand in its soon-to-be launched Edinburgh charity shop.

The store, which is set to open next month, will help to fund vital veterinary work across PDSA’s 48 Pet Hospitals – including its local centre in the city – which care for thousands of pets whose owners struggle to afford essential treatments.

Cluster Shop Manager Fiona Lawrie, who will co-ordinate the opening of the South Bridge shop, is encouraging animal lovers who can spare a few hours a week to get in touch and find out about the exciting opportunities available.

Fiona said: “The pandemic had a huge impact on PDSA’s fundraising activities which is why the support provided by the incredible people who volunteer in our shops is so important.

“We receive no government funding towards running our vital vet services and everything we do is supported by the generosity of the pet-loving public whose kind donations of time, money, and items mean we can be there for pets and their owners when they are most in need.

“Volunteering is an excellent way to assist charities and do something that makes a real difference to the lives of others, but it is also a great way to make new friends, gain confidence, and enhance your CV. 

“We’re looking for friendly and dedicated people aged 18 or over to join our team at South Bridge in Edinburgh – it doesn’t matter if you don’t have previous retail experience, we provide full training and we’ll reimburse your travel expenses so you’re not out of pocket. All you need is a few spare hours a week, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn.”

To find out about volunteering opportunities at the new store, please contact Fiona Lawrie by calling 07557 196831 or email lawrie.fiona@pdsa.org.uk.

Alternatively, visit the following link to apply for a role online: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/volunteer-south-bridge.

No pet owner should be faced with losing a beloved pet because they can no longer afford to pay for treatment. For many vulnerable pets, PDSA is there to help when there is nowhere else for their owners to turn.

PDSA encourages all supporters to sign up for Gift Aid* if they are a UK taxpayer, to help their donations go even further. Gift Aid allows PDSA to claim an additional 25 per cent of the value of each item sold.

Surgeons Quarter celebrates return of business events

Bookings surge results in venue close to matching pre-pandemic levels

ONE of Scotland’s top conference and events businesses is dispelling concerns that the industry would never return to pre-pandemic levels as it reveals a major surge in bookings.

City-centre venue Surgeons Quarter, which promotes, sells and manages all commercial activities held within The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) campus, has revealed that conference and events bookings made during the six months from April to September 2022 were close to exceeding the organisation’s record-breaking year in 2019.

With still 91 confirmed events and a further 79 internal college bookings to take place in the final quarter of the year alone.

That success is being mirrored in occupancy rates at its 129-room Ten Hill Place, which is sitting at over 98% for September and over 84% for October with encouraging figures recorded for the remainder of the year and into 2023.   

Scott Mitchell is Managing Director of Surgeons Quarter, which puts profits back into the historic college, to support RCSEd’s aims of advancing surgical care and improving patient outcomes worldwide.

He said: “Business events are central to the local and national economy – and we want to do all we can to drive that inward investment.

“We’re delighted to get back to these numbers of visitors and it’s encouraging to see such a strong picture for the rest of the year. However, with an ever-changing landscape we are mindful of ongoing industry challenges. 

“During the pandemic, it was worrying to think we may never return to in-person events at this level – which would have been a massive blow to the industry and delegates as there is only so much that can be transferred to a virtual setting. Thankfully, that hasn’t been the case and we’re back playing host to events from all across the world.

“Our venue offers bespoke set ups across sectors and specialities as required – with our teams able to accommodate and cater to hundreds of people at one time.

“The team go above and beyond for delegates and guests – it’s their dedication that sets us apart in Edinburgh and we’re exceptionally proud of their achievements during such a busy period.”

The strong performance and forecasts follow on from a successful August, with the venue hosting more than 160 Festival Fringe performances across 10 spaces – including a new venue adding a further 55 seats – resulting in thousands of fringe-goers being welcomed to the Surgeons Quarter campus throughout the month.

Surgeons Quarter has also invested in its 178-strong team with a selection of certified courses and training offered as multiskilling has been a key aspiration in response to growing demand.

Surgeons Quarter, the commercial arm of The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh [RCSEd] promotes, sells and manages all commercial activities held within the RCSEd Campus with profits supporting the charitable aims of the College: education, assessment and advancement of surgical standards worldwide.

For more information on events, conferences and meeting space at Surgeons Quarter visit: https://www.surgeonsquarter.com/conferences-meetings/

Meadows disorder: vast majority of key troublemakers traced

Here’s the latest Capital Cops column from Chief Inspector Sam Ainslie, Local Area Commander for South East Edinburgh:

The city centre and South East of Edinburgh is a diverse locality, incorporating homes, businesses and a large number of leisure facilities and visitor attractions, ranging from easily accessible green spaces to the vast majority of the city’s night-time economy.

Local Edinburgh residents welcome the responsible use of our fantastic green spaces and amenities. However, disappointingly, these areas can experience incidences of antisocial behaviour and even disorder, particularly during periods of good weather, where excessive drinking has been a contributory factor.

You may be aware of some issues within the Meadows area during the Easter weekend, and I raise it here, for a number of reasons.

First to provide reassurance, that it was obvious that a small group of individuals attended with the express purpose of causing disorder.

Second, being acutely aware of the negative impact on local communities, South East Community Improvement Partnership developed a comprehensive action plan, calling on expertise and resource from across a range of Police, voluntary organisations, and City of Edinburgh Council functions.

This multi-agency response was then utilised successfully over a number of subsequent weekends.

Third, I wish to highlight the success of our dedicated investigation team, formed to specifically target those responsible for the pockets of disorder that weekend, and I am delighted to report that 14 of 17 key individual have been traced, arrested and reported to the Procurator Fiscal and suffice to say efforts will continue to hold the remainder to account.

Please continue to use these spaces respectfully.

While Edinburgh is a safe city, we are never complacent in respect of violence or anti-social behaviour in any of its forms, and as the night-time economy gradually returns, officers are once again providing a high visibility policing presence within the city centre during weekend periods, providing reassurance to our local communities, preventing issues and robustly dealing with incidents, should they occur.

Keeping with prevention, we have started to see a rise in thefts from vehicles, homes, sheds and businesses, and as a recurring theme, these are often opportunistic in nature, with thieves capitalising on a door or window being left unlocked.

Items of choice include, purses, handbags, laptops and bikes. Police Scotland’s website www.scotland.police.uk provides lots of great security advice, so please give it a visit.

Road safety matters remain an area of focus, and with Police Scotland’s Summer Drink/ Drug Drive Campaign having started on Monday – please follow us on our social media channels for information and updates.

I want to thank you for your ongoing support and ask that you continue to contact us to report suspected criminality and relevant concerns.

Information can also be passed to local officers, 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, and as ever, we will continue to post policing updates via @EdinPolSE Twitter account.

If you haven’t already done so, please follow us to receive regular information on what’s happening in your local area.

Chief Inspector Sam Ainslie is Local Area Commander, South East Edinburgh

Edinburgh care provider logs on to virtual viewing trend

TWO Edinburgh care homes have invested in new technology to offer potential residents and their families virtual viewings from the comfort of their own homes.

Mansfield Care has produced virtual tour videos for seven of its 11 care homes across Scotland, including Belleville Lodge and Craighall House in the capital, showcasing both the interior and exterior of each to give an accurate representation of the building.

The care provider hopes the videos will allow potential residents or family members looking on their behalf to get a feel for the services without leaving their home, whilst reducing the number of people entering the premise.

Mansfield Care’s founder, Andrew Hume, said: “It is important for us to continue to adapt and innovate our processes and services as the care industry becomes more digital.

“On top of this, virtual viewings are a way to keep our current staff and residents safe, whilst making the process easier for those looking to make the move to one of our homes.

“Virtual viewings will allow potential residents to see the apartment almost in person from the comfort of their own home for convenience, safety and to enable people who cannot travel easily to conduct a viewing.”

Personalised virtual viewings can be arranged for those interested in moving into a care home with one of Mansfield Care’s staff on hand to answer questions, and provide more information about the home and its care services. 

Mansfield Care specialise in small, friendly residential care homes in Edinburgh, Borders and west of Scotland; each designed to an exceptional standard with state-of-the-art facilities.

The Mansfield Care ethos is inspired by the kind of care we would wish for ourselves in later life – supportive, friendly, bright, positive, empathetic, respectful and homely.

News from the Fringe

We are pleased to announce that show registration for Fringe 2021 will open on Wednesday 05 May. 

Artists and venues will be able to register Fringe shows right up until the end of the festival. The Fringe’s world-class programme will be available to browse and book at edfringe.com, with tickets going on sale for audiences in early summer.

As Scotland navigates its roadmap out of lockdown, much is still unknown about what the Fringe will look like this August. However, a range of scenarios are being prepared for, from socially distanced live events to digital offerings. 

The Fringe Society is supporting artists and audiences to find and book work online across a range of platforms, including the brand-new Fringe Player.

This online platform aims to bring some festival magic into homes across the world, while providing a secure platform for artists, companies and venues to host their shows. The platform is available to any registered 2021 Fringe show or venue to use if they wish.

Any live performance registered as part of the 2021 Fringe will be expected to adhere to public health guidance from the Scottish Government. 

Audiences can search, browse and buy tickets to both online and in-person work through edfringe.com. More details on individual shows and Fringe 2021 will be available in early summer.

Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Fringe Society, said: “We’re delighted to be able to open registration for 2021. Of course, we’re still very much in planning mode as we await further updates from the Scottish Government, but this feels like a hugely positive step in the right direction.

“Through the work being created across the various digital platforms, including the Fringe Player, artists have a brilliant opportunity to reach audiences and communities all over the world. I look forward to seeing how our Fringe creatives use these platforms in 2021 and beyond.”

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe will take place from 06 – 30 August 2021.