Granton Salvation Army are having a re-launch day and would love to see everyone there!
Pop down to say hello, find out about the services and grab a free burger!
Granton Salvation Army reopening event on Friday
Month: August 2021
Scottish Government launches recovery legislation consultation
A new consultation is seeking the public’s views on legislative reform to support Scotland’s recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The consultation sets out a range of proposals, including whether some beneficial temporary provisions made under Scottish and UK coronavirus legislation and due to expire in March 2022 should be maintained.
The public will have 12 weeks until the consultation period ends on 9 November to share their views on the proposals. These include:
- maintaining provisions in the UK Coronavirus Act that enable Scottish Ministers to enact measures via public health regulations for any future public health threats, in line with powers that are already in statute in England and Wales
- a change in the law that will allow a wider range of health professionals such as nurses, midwives and paramedics to give vaccinations and immunisations
- maintaining pre-eviction protocols relating to rent arrears in the private rented sector, ensuring that tenants have all the information they need about their rights, and placing more responsibility on landlords to ensure correct procedures are followed
- whether the extended statutory time-limits for criminal proceedings should temporarily remain in place to help the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service manage the backlog of cases arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure cases can continue to be heard, through greater flexibility in the programming of court business
- maintaining remote registration of deaths and still-births by phone or other methods, without the need to go to a registration office in person, in addition to a new proposal to extend this flexibility to live births
The consultation also asks people to suggest any additional measures or legislation not covered in the consultation that could support Scotland’s recovery.
Deputy First Minister and COVID Recovery Secretary John Swinney said: “This consultation focuses on reviewing the legislative powers that have supported our response to COVID-19. We want to ensure we remove measures no longer needed in order to respond to the pandemic whilst keeping those where there is demonstrable benefit to the people of Scotland.
“This is an opportunity to maintain changes that have been welcomed by people who now don’t want to lose transformations that have been innovative, beneficial, and increased access to services.
“While the pandemic has been incredibly disruptive, its urgency has forced the public services we rely on to adapt and continue and still deliver, driving the pace of digital adoption, and in some cases more efficient ways of working.
“As we enter the recovery phase, we now have a unique opportunity to reimagine how health and social care, learning and justice services can be designed and delivered around the lives and needs of the people who use them.
“I invite everyone to have their say on what this future should look like to support a fair, safe and secure recovery. Your views on these proposals will inform any future legislation to be brought forward on these topics for full scrutiny and debate in Parliament.
“We remain committed to expiring or suspending any existing provisions that are no longer necessary, and will continue to report to Parliament every two months on the use of any temporary powers.”
Transforming George Street
Councillors to discuss ‘transformational’ latest plans
Core elements of an ambitious final concept design for transforming Edinburgh’s George Street and First New Town (GNT) have been published, along with an updated future operational plan.
A final concept design for the project, which aims to create a people friendly setting, better walking, cycling and wheeling links and a more attractive environment, was unveiled in February.
A subsequent public engagement exercise in March revealed broad support for plans. Work with key stakeholder groups including Edinburgh Word Heritage, Essential Edinburgh, Living Streets, George Street Association and Spokes and consultation with the wider public has helped inform core elements and design principles to underpin final plans.
These include wider pavements on both sides of George Street, ‘greening’ and landscaping sensitive to the area’s heritage and the creation of a ‘cycling street’.
Fundamental design elements also encompass the removal of buses and all other non-essential traffic from George Street, in line with the City Mobility Plan, as well as a reduction in parking bays to free up space for walking, cycling and wheeling.
A series of proposed operational changes would support the area’s transformation and will form the basis of the development of the statutory notice process which is required to enable construction of the scheme.
There will be further development of the operational plan during the next design stage of the project, beginning in September. Proposed operational principles will be finalised in partnership with key stakeholders, local businesses and residents.
Key principles of the operational plan cover the delivery of pedestrian and cycling priority, the prioritisation of blue badge parking and removing all but essential motor traffic from George Street, amongst other operational changes.
Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “We’ve reached a key stage as we move forward with this major project to transform George Street and the surrounding areas. These fundamental elements for the design and operation of the scheme will be central to its realisation over the coming years.
“This is exactly the kind of transformational change we want to effect in Edinburgh. Not only will wider pavements, significantly improved cycling infrastructure and relaxed, landscaped areas in-keeping with the historic surroundings create a safer, welcoming environment for people to spend time in, but it will support travel by foot, bike or wheel. Facilitating sustainable transport is crucial if we are to meet our zero carbon goals and improve air quality for future generations.”
Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “We’ve worked hard to involve the community, businesses and active travel, accessibility and heritage groups in the development of these plans, and their feedback has been essential.
Now, as we progress further, we want to continue to bring all those who have contributed with us, and we’ll continue to engage with them as we take the next, exciting steps towards the project’s delivery.”
The GNT project is a key component of the Edinburgh City Centre Transformation (ECCT) strategy and delivery plan and its formation follows years of engagement and development with the community, businesses and other stakeholders. This included a year-long trial in 2014 and 15.
Its delivery will be closely linked with other major active travel schemes planned for the city centre, namely Meadows to George Street (MGS) and City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL). In addition, it aligns with the recently approved City Mobility Plan (CMP), which targets a redesign of the bus network by 2025, based on the ‘to not through’ principle, and a car-free city centre by 2030.
During the next design stage for GNT it is expected that sufficient detail will emerge from the design process to enable the commencement of the necessary statutory consents by the end of 2021, under which the power to construct the scheme would be obtained.
The project is being supported by funding of up to £20 million secured from the Sustrans Places for Everyone programme, with 100% of design costs and 70% of construction costs covered by the grant award.
Read the full report, George Street and First New Town – Final Concept Design and Operational Plan Update, on the Council website.
You can watch discussion of the report by Transport and Environment Committee live from 10am on Thursday, 19 August via webcast.
Combined paracetamol and ibuprofen medicine approved for general sale
Nuromol will become available without the need to visit a pharmacy
Following a public consultation, the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is making Nuromol, a medicine that contains 200mg of ibuprofen and 500mg of paracetamol per tablet available without the need to visit a pharmacy.
Dr Sarah Branch, Director of Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines at the MHRA, said: “This reclassification to general sales list will help people to manage their pain where paracetamol or ibuprofen alone have not provided adequate pain relief.
“Wider availability of medicinal products and improved patient access and choice remain high on the health agenda. The MHRA is committed to improving access to medicinal products for self-care where it is safe to do so.”
Nuromol is used for the temporary relief of mild to moderate pain associated with migraine, headache, backache, period pain, dental pain, rheumatic and muscular pain, pain of non-serious arthritis, cold and flu symptoms, sore throat, and fever when paracetamol or ibuprofen alone have not provided adequate pain relief.
While most people can take paracetamol, ibuprofen is not suitable for everyone, and it is also important that people do not exceed the recommended dose of 1 or 2 tablets not more than 3 times a day.
Patients are also advised not to take more than one paracetamol-containing medicine at the same time.
The MHRA’s decision to reclassify this product follows a review by the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) and a public consultation. The CHM advises ministers on the safety, efficacy and quality of medicinal products.
The consultation response is available here:
Botanic Gardens is top ten UK family-friendly eco-attraction
- Uswitch.com reveals the best family-friendly eco-attractions in the United Kingdom, ranking each attraction out of 100
- The attraction ranking in first place, with 71 points, is GreenWood Family Park based in Gwynedd, Wales
- The second-best eco-friendly attraction is Pensthorpe Natural Park in Norfolk, with a score of 64 out of 100
- Wildwood Trust in Kent, ranks third with a total score of 53 points out of 100
- A quarter (24%)[1] of all analysed reviews praised the attractions’ eco-conscious factors, such as educational information and sustainable ethos[2]
- Find out how you and your family could be more eco-friendly by reducing your personal carbon footprint with the Uswitch Carbon Footprint Calculator
The summer holidays can often be overwhelming for parents who don’t know where to take their children for a fun-filled family day out, so Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service, have analysed the best eco-friendly attractions for parents and children to enjoy.
Uswitch.com experts scraped TripAdvisor reviews for eco-friendly attractions in the UK[3], monitoring keywords and phrases that reflect having a great family visit[4]. Over 34,000 four and five-star reviews were analysed, with six categories to determine a family-friendly eco-friendly attraction – Enjoyability, Family compatibility, Food availability, Affordability, Conservation and eco-friendly components and Cleanliness[5].
Table 1: The UK’s eco-friendly attractions, ranked
| Rank | Attraction | Location | Percentage of reviews mentioning keywords and phrases in each category | Final Score | |||||
| Enjoyability | Family- friendly | Food availability | Affordability | Eco-friendly components | Cleanliness | ||||
| 1 | GreenWood Family Park | Gwynedd | 78% | 73% | 80% | 5% | 38% | 14% | 71 |
| 2 | Pensthorpe Natural Park | Norfolk | 64% | 53% | 79% | 4% | 56% | 8% | 64 |
| 3 | Wildwood Trust | Kent | 53% | 47% | 63% | 4% | 76% | 5% | 53 |
| 4 | The Eden Project | Cornwall | 43% | 27% | 63% | 7% | 23% | 3% | 40 |
| 5 | The Living Rainforest | Berkshire | 40% | 38% | 56% | 4% | 52% | 4% | 37 |
| 6 | Centre for Alternative Technology | Powys | 42% | 32% | 59% | 2% | 24% | 6% | 35 |
| 7 | Markshall Estate | Braintree | 42% | 27% | 64% | 4% | 20% | 6% | 35 |
| 8 | National Botanic Garden of Wales | Carmarthenshire | 48% | 24% | 70% | 3% | 20% | 5% | 35 |
| 9 | The Royal Botanic Gardens | London | 38% | 18% | 56% | 4% | 21% | 3% | 20 |
| 10 | Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh | Edinburgh | 26% | 11% | 43% | 1% | 15% | 2% | 6 |
Source: Uswitch.com
GreenWood Family Park in Gwynedd scored the highest of all the attractions with 71 points out of 100. This is no surprise since the park is home to two spectacular attractions: the world’s first people-powered rollercoaster, and Wales’s longest sled run.
The park’s Enjoyability factor was notable, with three quarters of reviews mentioning how fun (78%) or family-friendly the park is (73%), and even more favoured the quality of food (80%).
Norfolk’s Pensthorpe Natural Park scored 64, awarding itself second place in the eco-attraction rankings.
Four-fifths of reviews (79%) praised the quality of food, while over half (53%) cited the family-friendly nature of the attraction. In line with this, over three-fifths (64%) applauded the park for its fun factor.
The Park gained a mediocre score on affordability, with 4% of reviews showing negativity towards the cost of the attraction.
Table 2: The top-scoring attraction for each category analysed
| Category analysed | Top scoring attraction | Location | Percentage of reviews relating to the category |
| Enjoyability | GreenWood Family Park | Gwynedd | 78% |
| Family-friendly | GreenWood Family Park | Gwynedd | 73% |
| Food availability | GreenWood Family Park | Gwynedd | 80% |
| Affordability | The Eden Project | Cornwall | 7% |
| Eco-friendly components | Wildwood | Kent | 76% |
| Cleanliness | GreenWood Family Park | Gwynedd | 14% |
Source: Uswitch.com
Wildwood Trust, formerly known as Wildwood Discovery Park and located in south-east England, is ranked as the attraction with the most eco-friendly components, with over three-quarters (76%) of reviews mentioning this factor.
Overall, a quarter of reviews (24%) for all the attractions combined mentioned eco-friendly and conservation efforts made by the sites – and a further quarter (24%) noted the family-friendly elements of the attractions.
Uswitch encourages anyone interested in how eco-friendly their household is to find out their personal carbon footprint and read tips on how to lower it using the Uswitch Carbon Footprint Calculator.
Sarah Broomfield, energy expert at Uswitch.com comments: “The relatively high numbers of reviews regarding how eco-friendly the attractions are show that visitors are mindful of where they like to spend the day with their families.
“It is great to see that a majority of these eco-friendly attractions live up to their status and are excelling in customer satisfaction.
“It is unfortunate, however, that eco-friendliness seems to come at a cost; affordability is low-ranking for these attractions, which is not ideal for those with large families or low incomes.”
Find out how you could save nearly £1,000 a year with Uswitch here.
Scottish construction shows signs of strong recovery
Scotland demonstrates strong growth in the wake of pandemic and despite supply shortages
- Scotland leads post-COVID industry recovery, growing 124% on the value of project-starts compared to last year
- UK value of underlying work (less than £100 million in value) up 35% on 2020 figures but down 16% on preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis
- Nationwide, retail proves a stand-out sector with 150% growth on project-starts, and residential project starts rise by over a third on previous year
Glenigan, the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, has released the August edition of its Construction Index.
This report provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data, giving built environment professionals unique insight into results from the second quarter of 2021 and the last twelve months.
Strong growth for Scotland
Scotland has been leading the Covid-recovery, achieving strong growth of 124% on the value of project starts against the previous year, this is despite a 15% dip compared with the previous three months of this year.
UK-wide signs of increase
Despite a slight setback for underlying work (less than £100 million in value) in Q.2 of this year dropping 16% on Q.1, the construction industry is regaining its feet. A rise of 35% on figures in the same time period in 2020 show a sector on the way up.
Residential work on the rise
The value of residential work being carried out on-site is also on the rise, climbing 36% against the previous year. However, this fell 28% compared with the preceding three months (seasonally adjusted) and is down 33% on 2019 figures.
Private housing has also shown growth as one of the best-performing sectors, with the value of project-starts rising by over half (54%). Again, these figures are off the back of an initial dip, down 29% on the preceding three months of this year and 32% on 2019 levels.
Retail and offices provide boost
Retail was the stand-out sector during the period, with project-starts having increased 150% against the previous year up 34% compared with the same period in 2019. Retail-starts also increased 83% compared with the preceding three-month period.
Non-residential sectors also performed above 2020 figures, climbing 43% and increasing by 7% in Q.2 on three months previous.
Health projects show vitality
Despite a slight dip in health project starts in Q.2 of this year falling 12% on Q.1, the sector has seen a 7% rise on the previous year and a 43% increase on the same period in 2019.
Similarly, hotel and leisure project-starts have performed poorly in recent months, however, sector growth has nearly doubled against the previous year (94%) and increased 52% on Q.1 of 2021.
Improvement needed for infrastructure and civil project-starts
An area in need of improvement is underlying civil engineering project-starts which increased just 1% on 2020 but fell 41% on the preceding three months. This was also down 40% compared with the same period in 2019.
Infrastructure starts were also down 16% on the previous year and 49% compared with Q.1 of this year. The sector was also declined by 43% on the same period in 2019.
However, utilities starts show much more promise, increasing by nearly a half on 2020 (47%) but down 18% on the preceding three months of Q.1 of this year.
Strong regional performance
Yorkshire and the Humber also achieved three-digit growth on 2020 (110%) and project-starts in London climbed by over 50% against the previous year but was down 9% on Q.1
Project-starts in the East of England also rose by 58% against last year and were the only region to experience growth against the preceding three months (6%).
Rhys Gadsby, Glenigan’s Economic Analyst, commented on the latest figures: “The positive figures we’ve seen in Scotland serves as a strong indicator the construction sector recovery is not limited to London and the South East.
“However, they should be note of caution. While the value of project-starts remains substantially higher than the lockdown-affected previous year, the value has continued to decline in recent months.
“Material supply problems may have contributed to the fall; however, a decline was expected following a surge in activity, due to pent-up demand, during the first quarter.
“More positively, the speed of decline slowed during July. Main contract awards and detailed planning approval were high compared with previous years, so it is only a matter of time before this has a positive impact on project-starts.
“Furthermore, the successful vaccination roll-out, as well as the ending of restrictions on daily life, should give investors – particularly in non-residential sectors such as hotel & leisure – the confidence to progress projects to site.”
To find out more about Glenigan’s expert insight and leading market analysis click here
Scotmid customers to benefit from new digital labelling technology
Customers at Scotmid stores across Scotland are set to benefit from clearer product pricing and information thanks to investment by the convenience retailer into new electronic shelf labels (ESLs)
The integrated technology, which will display accurate pricing and promotion details – as well as extended information such as allergens and country of origin – allows customers to make easy and fully informed decisions on their product purchases.
Customers and staff at stores involved in the trialling of the ESLs, experienced increased efficiency, reduced paper wastage and an enhanced store team morale. Scotmid now plans to install the digital labels in further stores across its estate.
The investment comes at a time when Scotmid is looking to drive store change through technology and adopt sustainable practices that reduce the need for paper usage.
Allan Robertson Programme Manager, Innovation and Change at Scotmid said: “As a retailer based in the heart of communities we serve, we continually look for innovative solutions which will deliver genuine benefits for our customers as well as our colleagues.
“These electronic labels look tidy and modern and mean that we can present our price and product information more clearly for customers.”
Steven Cannon, Branch Supervisor of a trial store, said: “The feedback from our team and customers has been fantastic. Overnight updates mean the store is customer-ready as soon as we switch the system on each morning.
“Without manual price and promotion tasks to complete and check, we have more time to assist and serve customers.”
The technology is manufactured by SoluM, a Samsung invested company, with the supply and installation carried out by Cambridge based Technology Integrator Herbert Retail.
Scotmid and Herbert Retail are members of the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS).
The first Scotmid stores to install the ESLs are:
Pilrig – Edinburgh
Barnton – Edinburgh
Rannoch – Edinburgh
Old Mill Road – Uddingston
Inverkeithing
Rimbleton
South Queensferry
West Calder
Leven Street – Edinburgh
Broxburn
Uddingston
Krispy Kreme & Xbox go next level
Gaming champion Kem Cetinay at St James Quarter Meet & Eat surprise drop TONIGHT
Gaming and doughnut fans around the world have been going wild for the new Krispy Kreme x Xbox collab drop and they want more – and Krispy Kreme with Xbox are SO here for it!
New research by Krispy Kreme revealed that re-connecting since lockdown restrictions ended has been a balm to Brits, as 75% admitted they’ve made more of an effort to do so in recent weeks. To support this, Krispy Kreme and Xbox continue their collaborate with a series of incredible drops hitting Krispy Kreme stores across the nation.
Within the research, the doughnut retailer found:
- For a third of Brits, the warm, sweet smell of doughnuts is the ultimate smile-generator
- For 25% of us, simply the look of a doughnut can create a smile
- Almost half of Brits (44%) love to share food with loved ones
Gamer and doughnut fan Kem Cetinay, nominated as the ‘gamifying doughnuts master’ will be popping up at the Krispy Kreme store in St James Quarter, Edinburgh tonight to serve up doughnuts and Xbox Series S consoles, and will be on hand to share his cheeky smile for some Covid-safe customer selfies (for over 18’s or those with an adult).
It’ll be game on in stores! Fans aged over 18 or accompanied by an adult will get the chance to get on an Xbox Series S console and challenge Kem to his favourite games on Xbox Games Pass (socially distanced)… if they win, an Xbox Series S immediate win is promised to one lucky winner, as well as the glory!
Catch Kem Cetinay for the Meet & Eat surprise drop in Edinburgh between 5.30pm – 7.00pm this evening at the Krispy Kreme store in St James Quarter.
The Nexus Level Doughnuts – created specially to celebrate Xbox’s 20th anniversary will be on sale for a limited time only until 22nd August.
The campaign will see each dozen purchase of The Nexus Level Doughnuts rewarded with a complimentary 1-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Membership, plus the chance to win an Xbox Series S Console. Once they’re gone, they’re really gone so get them while you can!
The campaign will see each dozen purchase of The Nexus Level Doughnuts rewarded with a complimentary 1-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Membership, plus the chance to win an Xbox Series S Console.
Once they’re gone, they’re really gone so get them while you can!
Stay tuned to the following channels to find out when and where you can get your hands on prizes and to meet Kem:
Krispy Kreme Channels @KrispyKremeUK
Kem Cetinay @kemcetinay
Xbox @xboxuk
#KrispyKremeXbox
Reminder: Community Learning & Development planning event
Thursday 19 August, 10am – 11.45am
As the current plan comes to an end, it’s time to explore opportunities, hopes and aspirations for the next 3 years.
Help make sure the community and voluntary sector has a voice in this process, by getting involved in this discussion.
You’re invited to have a say on Edinburgh’s Community Learning and Development Plan for 2021 – 2024.
About this event
You might ask yourself what is Community Learning & Development (CLD) and why is it important for my group or organisation to have a say in future planning?
The ambition for the Edinburgh CLD plan is to make a positive difference for the citizens and communities of the City and the organisations in the community / voluntary sector work with children, young people and adults to do just that.
That means it’s essential that our sector plays a part in strategic planning in areas like adult learning, youthwork, community centres, communities and citizens who are seldom heard and so much more.
THE EVENT
Paul McCloskey (CEC Lifelong Learning Strategic Manager – CLD and Libraries), Laurene Edgar (LAYC Director and Edinburgh Community Learning and Development Partnership Chair) will lead this event.
They’ll take you through the plan and the potential for this to be a key aspect of the development of citizens and communities in Edinburgh.
You will also have the chance to join in 2 of the following themed breakout groups:
- Adult Learning
- Community Centres
- Youthwork
- Seldom Heard Communities & Voices
EVENT LINK
Registration for this event closes TODAY – Wednesday 18 August at 6pm.
You will receive an email through Eventbrite by 9am on Thu 19 Aug that includes the Zoom link for this event.
If you don’t receive this email please get in touch, but we recommend checking your email junk folder: esther.currie@evoc.org.uk
Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteer Awards ceremony date announced
We are delighted to announce that Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteer Awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday 1st September 2021.
Now in its fifteenth year, Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteer Awards reflect the exceptional range of organisations and individuals working in the city’s vibrant charity and non-profit sectors.
A wide age range was represented and awardees came from across the broad spectrum of cultures that make up our ever more diverse city.
This event is by invitation only, with numbers being limited of who can attend.
We have published all details of this event and announced winners in all special categories on our website.
Please visit our website by clicking on the link here.
If you would like to post about the awards on social media please use the hashtag #iva2021.
We also have another event on 22nd September. This is our Volunteer Recruitment Fair and details can be found by clicking on the link here.
Jason McCann
Events & Volunteer Coordinator, Volunteer Edinburgh