Day: February 19, 2022

Hamilton & Inches is Edinburgh’s first Rolex Accredited Service Centre

Hamilton & Inches has made history this week through its appointment as a Rolex Service Centre in Edinburgh. Only the second of its kind in Scotland, the move marks a major milestone in the 155-year watchmaking history of the established luxury jewellers.

The recently refurbished fine jewellery store, which already offers high-quality watch service and repairs, has heightened its after-sales customer service offering by achieving the prestigious Rolex Service Centre status.

In line with the Rolex Service Procedure and drawing on in-house Rolex-accredited watchmakers’ invaluable expertise, this new service provides customers with an elevated experience and a guarantee that their cherished timepieces are serviced to the highest standard.

All interventions are expertly carried out by inhouse Watchmakers at Hamilton & Inches specialist watch workshops. Following a complete overhaul, all timepieces are covered by a two-year international Rolex Service Guarantee.

The introduction of this new service provides Hamilton & Inches with a unique mark of distinction. Clients will not only be able to take advantage of the new accredited Service Centre in-store, but they will have the opportunity to meet the watchmakers and see first-hand the highly skilled work that goes into luxury watchmaking.

Victoria Houghton, Hamilton & Inches CEO, said: “At Hamilton & Inches, we take immense pride in our craftsmanship and commitment to giving our clientele a bespoke experience.

“Our new Rolex Service Centre is a milestone addition to our prestigious offering. This provides us with a valuable opportunity to complete the customer journey and offer an exceptional level of after-care, in house.

“We’re delighted to be only the second Rolex Service Centre in Scotland. This is a true testament to the work and dedication of our Watchmakers, and we look forward to their continued advancements and dedication to this unique craft.”

Toby Barrett, Rolex Accredited Watchmaker at Hamilton & Inches added: “We look forward to continuing to provide our clients with the same level of service they would expect from Rolex, here in Edinburgh.

“The customer can be reassured knowing our Service Centre workshop is fully equipped with the latest Rolex tooling to fully complete their service here with Hamilton & Inches.”

To find out more, visit www.hamiltonandinches.com.

Top tips to combat Cost of Living Crisis

PRACTICAL POINTERS TO HELP BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES AGAINST SPIRALLING ENERGY COSTS

The last two years has created the perfect storm for cost-of-living problems across the UK and it’s speculated that things could get worse by April. 

As many households struggle to reach the first payday since before Christmas, we explore the measures households can take now to help make things more manageable.

New research shows that lower income households in the UK may have to spend half their income on energy. The industry regulator, Ofgem, has also announced that it will increase price caps in April, painting a bleak picture for some consumers.

UK households should double check they’ve made use of all the help available this winter such as:

·        Government schemes: research government schemes like the Winter Fuel Payment which provides £100 to £300 to help pay heating bills. Customers are eligible for the scheme if they were born on or before 26 September 1955.* Be aware that the government is also exploring options such as making payments to energy suppliers to soften the blow to consumers.

·        Switch providers: according to Ofgem, households can save around £360 every year. Switching provider doesn’t just help save money, it can also allow consumers to seek out more environmentally friendly suppliers and those with better customer service. 

·        Tax relief: check out the tax relief option, which allows anyone working at home on a regular basis to claim relief on gas and electricity bills – as well as metered water and business phone calls. HMRC are offering relief worth £312 per year with no need to provide receipts or factor in any complicated calculations. 

·        Discounts and efficiency checks:  use energy efficient lightbulbs – a relatively inexpensive solution which helps to reduce costs over a long period of time.  Also, look out for schemes such as the Warm Home Discount that provide a one off discount of £140 off the winter electricity bill between September and March.**

Greg Wilson, Founder of energy comparison website Quotezone.co.uk, comments: “Given the upcoming rise in energy price caps in April, it’s important that people get on the front foot and look for ways to save.

“If you’re eligible, making use of the government’s schemes to help with the cost of energy bills is a good start. There are many schemes out there, including the Warm Home Discount and Winter Fuel Payments scheme, that should make bills a little easier to pay. These schemes are targeted to both the elderly and those on a low-income, providing support to the most vulnerable demographics.

“But there are also many other ways to tackle increasing energy cost – one of the most effective ways is to switch provider, a process which has never been easier. By choosing an Ofgem-accredited comparison site, consumers can get an understanding of what’s on offer across a range of energy suppliers – instantly providing an overview of more competitive prices.”

Quotezone.co.uk is one of the leading price comparison websites in the UK, helping over 3 million users find more competitive deals.

Wealth in Scotland: the great divide

New statistics show average wealth remained stable while wealth inequality remained high.

According to the latest data from just before the pandemic, a typical household in Scotland had £214,000 in total wealth, similar to previous years. A typical household in the wealthiest 10% of households had £1.6 million in total wealth, whereas a typical household in the least wealthy 10% of households had £7,500.

The least wealthy households rarely own property or have any private pension savings. Their wealth is mainly made up of the value of their possessions such as cars, furniture and clothing.

Wealth inequality was more severe than income inequality: the 2% of households with the highest incomes had 9% of all income, while the wealthiest 2% of households had 15% of all wealth.

Households that tend to be wealthier than others are higher income households, pensioner couples, and home owners. In contrast, households with below average wealth tend to be low income households, lone parent and single working-age adult households, and those in rented housing.

Three out of ten households had insufficient savings to keep them above the poverty line for a month should they lose their income. Four per cent of households were in unmanageable debt. A third of households did not own any property, and a third of adults had no private pension savings.

The released figures were produced in accordance with professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics

The full statistical publication: Wealth in Scotland 2006-2020

Peace in Our Time?

Prime Minister travels to Germany today for the Munich Security Conference

  • Prime Minister will address Munich Security Conference on the importance of Western unity
  • While in Germany he will meet world leaders to discuss current tensions
  • Visit comes as allies warn that an invasion of Ukraine could take place at any moment

The Prime Minister will travel to Germany today (Saturday) for discussions with European allies amid increasing concern about the likelihood of a further Russian invasion of Ukraine.

This week the build-up of forces has continued despite Russian claims to the contrary, with 7,000 more troops arriving on Ukraine’s border in recent days. The UK and other allies have warned that military action could take place at any moment and without warning.

At the Munich Security Conference the Prime Minister will deliver a speech calling on allies to stay united in the face of Russian hostility. He will remind partners that, while there is still time to persuade President Putin to stand down Russian troops, the only prospect for this is if the western world speaks with one voice to dissuade and deter.

While in Munich, the Prime Minister will also meet a number of European partners to discuss the current response. In recent days the Prime Minister has spoken to the leaders of the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Japan, Australia and elsewhere about the ongoing crisis.

The Prime Minister said: “There is still a chance to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, but it will require an overwhelming display of western solidarity beyond anything we have seen in recent history.

“Allies need to speak with one voice to stress to President Putin the high price he will pay for any further Russian invasion of Ukraine. Diplomacy can still prevail.

“That is the message I will take to Munich today as we redouble our efforts to prevent a grave miscalculation which would devastate Ukraine, Russia and the rest of Europe.”

The Munich Security Conference is the world’s largest annual gathering of international leaders and foreign policy experts. When the Prime Minister addressed the conference last year he warned that countries like Russia who seek to act with ‘reckless abandon’ to harm our people must be met with the ‘immovable rock of trans-Atlantic solidarity’.

One year on, the Prime Minister will reiterate that message both in his speech to the conference and in meetings with world leaders.

Storm Eunice HM Coastguard urges ‘Stay away from the coast’

Three die in severe storms

HM Coastguard issues plea for people to stay away from the coast

There have been multiple reports of people at the waterline taking pictures of the waves, and even of families standing by the surf line with their children. The Met Office has issued a red ‘danger to life’ weather warning and winds of 122mph have been recorded.

HM Coastguard Tactical Commander Ben Hambling said: “The reports we are receiving are absolutely terrifying. In these conditions all it takes is one wave.

“A dramatic photograph or selfie is not worth risking your life for and those who are going to the coast to take pictures are also putting our teams at risk.

“We are urging people in the strongest possible terms to stay away from the coast.”

If you do get into trouble or believe anybody to be in difficulty at the coast or at sea, please call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

https://youtu.be/wKjsrgUukGM

Following Storm Eunice’s departure out to the east late on Friday night, an unsettled weekend of weather is to come for many.

Yellow warnings have been issued through Saturday and Sunday, highlighting the ongoing risk of wind and rain, although much less impactful than Storm Eunice.  

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Steve Ramsdale said: “Winds will decrease from their exceptionally high levels on Friday, but there’s a continued wet and windy theme for many through the weekend.  

“The south will see wet and windy conditions on Saturday, before areas to the north and west, including Northern Ireland, see some more potentially disruptive conditions on Sunday. Weather warnings have been issued but should be checked throughout the weekend for any ongoing updates.” 

Saturday’s yellow warning for wind covers much of the southwest, southern Wales and coastal areas in the south of England, where gusts of around 60mph are possible on the coasts, and around 40-50mph further inland. This will be accompanied by some persistent rain for many in the south, which will move eastwards as the day progresses.  

Police appeal after woman assaulted in Sighthill

Police are appealing for information after being called to a report of a 36-year-old woman having been seriously assaulted in Sighthill.

The incident took place on Sunday, 13 February, 2022 between 1.40am and 2am, on Calder Road near the junction with Sighthill Avenue. The woman was attacked by a man leaving her with serious facial injuries.

The woman was able to flag down a female driver for help.

Police Constable Mark McCreight said: “This woman has been seriously injured and therefore it is vital we establish exactly what happened here.

“We are looking to speak with the female driver who stopped to help as we believe she may be able to assist us with our enquiries. We would urge her to come forward.

“I would also ask anyone else who was in the area who has any further information to get in touch. Were you in the area in the early hours of Sunday morning? You may have dash-cam footage that can help us.”

Anyone with any information should contact Police via 101, quoting incident number 0444 of Sunday, 13 February, 2022. Alternatively you can contact CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.