Virgin Hotels Edinburgh opens its doors at latest concept Eve
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, the luxury lifestyle hotel brand by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, has officially launched its latest concept, Eve – an all-day dining space that will provide an array of food, beverages and entertainment.
The vibrant social space opened its doors to the public today and is set to perfectly complement Edinburgh’s enviable food and drink scene from morning lattes to lights out.
To celebrate the launch, Eve is offering all guests 50% off food for every reservation made from 7th-29th October and will be putting on a variety of live entertainment seven days a week throughout the month. Reservations can now be made directly on the hotel’s website at www.virginhotels.com/edinburgh/dine-and-drink/eve/
Situated at ground floor level, with an entrance from Cowgate, Eve holds up to 160 guests and is designed to be a playful environment to eat, drink and socialise in the heart of Edinburgh. With performance being at the core of the history of the Virgin brand, Eve will put on a diverse range of events showcasing the best of both Scottish and international culture.
From exclusive one-off activations that will firmly put Eve on the map to weekly intimate events including ‘Musical Mondays’, ‘On Demand’ and ‘Live & Unsigned’, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
Alongside the lively entertainment, guests can order up a storm with a menu perfect for sharing with friends and family on any occasion whether it’s breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner.
The menu caters to all tastes with everything from small plates – including beef brisket croquettes and Scottish salmon crudo – to large plates offering flat iron steak and charcuterie boards as well as a selection of juicy burgers, hearty sandwiches and refreshing salad bowls.
The interiors of Eve are like no other. The walls are adorned with floor-to-ceiling unique murals specifically curated by award winning Dutch graffiti artists, Studio Giftig, for the venue. Incorporating themes of space exploration, Scottish history, and Virgin legacy, these distinctive artworks create an immersive space that both celebrates and transcends the area’s rich history.
Opened until late, guests are encouraged to enjoy a post dinner cocktail from a range of bespoke creations all with locality in mind, helping to bring a sense of Scotland into each of the flavours.
From Park Bench Aperitivos such as Strong-Beau, a nod to the nation’s favourite fruity cider, to twists on classic cocktails such as the ‘Pin-Up’, a reimagining of the Pornstar Martini and East 8 Holdup, the cocktail menu brings some nostalgic flavours firmly into the 21st Century.
Scott McArdle, General Manager of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, commented:“We are delighted to announce that Eve is officially open! We have already started to see Virgin Hotels Edinburgh come to life over the last few months and Eve is going to add even more flavour to what we already offer.
“This vibrant and lively space will be at the heart of the city’s entertainment with fantastic food, unique cocktails and an array of performances – there really is something for everyone to enjoy and we can’t wait to welcome everyone in.”
Follow along on social media: Instagram @Eveedinburgh, Facebook @Evevhedinburgh
Three good causes across the East of Scotland have been awarded a share of a £25,000 funding pot, thanks to Scotmid’s Community Connect awards scheme. The awards were decided by a vote of Scotmid Members.
LoveOliver secured £15,000 in funding, with Edinburgh City Mission and The School Bank West Lothian both receiving a £5,000 award. The charities were shortlisted by the community retailer to receive the lifeline financial support helping them to continue carrying out vital work within the communities that they operate.
LoveOliver is a charity dedicated to childhood cancer research and provides practical support for families affected by the disease. The funding awarded by Scotmid will be used to hire a staff member for its drop-in café, which provides aid and support for families at a local and accessible level.
Edinburgh City Mission is a charitable organisation involved in a number of projects that support the most vulnerable in the Edinburgh community. The charity works to aid several foodbanks, a clothes bank and a family-focused weekend club aimed at supporting asylum seekers. The funding granted by Scotmid will be used to help support these projects and the people who benefit the most from them.
The School Bank West Lothian was established in 2015 and is dedicated to delivering school uniforms and other school essentials to families experiencing financial hardship. The funding provided by Scotmid will assist The School Bank West Lothian in ensuring every school child is prepared for their studies this winter.
Jennifer Gill, Charity Founder and Co-ordinator atLoveOliver, said: “We are delighted to receive £15,000 from Scotmid and want to thank everyone involved in making this happen. Our drop-in cafe at The Howat Hub has been running two days each week by our volunteers since opening in February this year.
“This funding will be used to employ a member of staff to allow the cafe to double its opening hours and be more available to families. We’re extremely grateful for this opportunity to extend our team, and to continue our work funding childhood cancer research and providing practical support to families affected by it.”
Catriona Thomas, Fundraising Manager for Edinburgh City Mission, (above) said: “Edinburgh City Mission aims to support as many vulnerable people in the city as possible, so we’re thrilled to be granted with this crucial funding from Scotmid.
“The funding will go towards hosting Soul Food, a weekly sit-down meal service for those most in need, helping us to meet our goal of ensuring that everyone in the local community has access to food.”
Abbie Stephenson, Project Worker with The School Bank West Lothian, said: “The School Bank West Lothian is thrilled to receive £5,000. Vulnerable children shouldn’t be without the basic necessities for school, so our mission is to help provide school children with the clothing and equipment they need to succeed. We look forward to helping reach more children in need.”
Harry Cairney, President of Scotmid, said:“Community Connect is one of the core ways in which we are able to support the communities we serve.
“We’re proud to support local charities and good cause groups and provide dedicated funding to support their goals. As we enter the winter months, it is important to look after one another – we’re grateful for our chosen three charities and good causes’ continued efforts to provide a lifeline to those in need within local communities.”
Police are seeking the assistance of the public in trying to locate a 28-year-old male, missing from Edinburgh.
Connor Murray was last seen around 5.30am in Longstone Street, Wester Hailes.
Connor is white with a slim build and short blond hair. He may be wearing black jogging trousers and carrying a blue rucksack.
A number of searches are under way to locate Connor, with officers also checking relevant CCTV footage from in and around the area.
Inspector Keith Scott said: “Connor’s family is understandably very worried about him and they just want him home safe and well.
“We are currently completing extensive enquiries with all his family and friends for any information which could assist us in finding him. If anyone has seen Connor or has any information as to his whereabouts, please contact us immediately.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 850 of 8 October, 2022.
UPDATE
MISSING PERSON – TRACED
We are pleased to confirm that Connor Murray has been traced safe and well. We would like to thank the public for their assistance.
A veterans support fund is now open to help improve the lives of former service personnel and their families.
A key priority for this year’s Scottish Veterans Fund is to make sure veterans and their families are supported in response to the ongoing cost of living crisis.
The fund will also target support for veterans who have left the Services early, as well as promoting collaboration between both veterans charities and non-veterans organisations.
Since the Scottish Government created the fund in 2008 almost 200 individual projects have been supported, receiving more than £2.3 million. In 2021, the annual funding provided was more than doubled to £500,000, with individual projects now able to bid for up to £50,000 a year.
Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans, Keith Brown said: “Scotland’s veterans community has given a great deal to society and it is right that we do all we can to provide the best possible care and support when they return to civilian life.
“It is important that the fund responds to issues that veterans are currently facing and this year we are looking to support projects that will help veterans and their families through the cost of living crisis.
“We will continue to target projects that provide new and innovative approaches to aiding our veterans community. In particular, bids that promote collaboration within and between the veterans charity sector and other non-veterans organisations, as well as support for early service leavers, are being prioritised.”
Scottish Veterans Commissioner Susie Hamilton, who chairs the independent panel that assesses bids for the Fund, said: “I am delighted to see the continuation of this support to those leaving the Service, veterans and their families.
“The priorities of supporting vulnerable early service leavers and those most affected by the current cost crisis are particularly welcome and important in the current difficult circumstances.
“Organisations working together can produce a powerful impact, so I hope to see collaboration and partnerships feature in this year’s applications.
“We all benefit when veterans and their families are able to prosper after military service and I look forward to seeing the range of bids that will be put forward to help make that happen.”
*Ahead of World Mental Health Day, new data from a leading UK charity reveals a worrying mental health surge.
**New video – called “The Feelings” – helps raise awareness of the suffering many frontline staff are experiencing
THE number of frontline workers seeking help with potentially suicidal thoughts has increased by over 70 per cent in the last year, the Laura Hyde Foundation has announced.
Disturbing new statistics compiled by the UK’s leading mental health charity for emergency service workers shows rising numbers of nurses, doctors, paramedics, midwives, police officers and firefighters are now seeking help.
In the first half of 2022, 946 contacted the Laura Hyde Foundation for support linked to suicidal thoughts. That’s compared to 556 people in the first half of 2021 – a leap of 70%.
The charity, set up in memory of Navy nurse Laura Hyde, says more than 220 nurses attempted to end their lives during the first year of Covid in 2020.
In a bid to raise awareness, the charity has collaborated on a new video which shines a light on the issue.
“The Feelings” aims to raise awareness of the serious difficulties that medical and emergency workers face, and how this can affect them day-to-day if they don’t seek support.
Each of the characters represents some of the actual feelings that workers from the healthcare frontline have been experiencing, including ‘rising dread’, ‘red rage’, and ‘powerless’.
The LHF says it is particularly concerned these issues could become even more pressing due to the impact the cost of living crisis could have on many in the sector, who are already struggling to cope in the aftermath of the pandemic.
They’ve been heightened further by the fact many services are currently overstretched and will face fresh difficulties in the looming Winter period.
Now, ahead of World Mental Health Day on Monday October 10, the charity is issuing an appeal to the Prime Minister, Liz Truss and Health Secretary Therese Coffey to act in this area.
Liam Barnes, the chairman of the Laura Hyde Foundation, said: “These deeply alarming figures expose what we have been growing increasingly concerned about at the Laura Hyde Foundation over recent months.
“And that’s the fact that our healthcare and emergency services are still facing a pandemic. This time however it isn’t Covid-19, it is the state of mental health and wellbeing of the workforce.
“We are yet to see the true effects of burnout, PTSD and many more conditions as a result of this testing time. Plus we now have a cost of living crisis which will only add to the burden many of our frontline workers will face.
“That’s why it is critically important that the new Prime Minister and her new Health Secretary put providing mental health support to emergency workers at the very top of their agenda.
“Sadly, the topic of mental health specifically for healthcare workers remains riddled with stigma. This simply has to end.”
Mr Barnes said there has been a sharp rise in the number of people contacting the LHF seeking support this year. The charity says the number of people contacting them in the first half of 2022 was up 39 per cent on the level seen in the first half of 2021.
Nurses, midwives, medical students and hospital doctors contacted the charities in the greatest numbers.
Of those who reached out more 54% said they needed support for suicidal thinking or activity.
Seventy-seven per cent of the contacts the Laura Hyde Foundation received were from frontline staff aged 40 or under.
The LHF collaborated with the creative agency McCann Health and production company Jelly to make its new animated film, The Feelings.
By anonymously characterising these feelings, LHF hopes it will help frontline workers – and beyond – recognise the warning signs of mental health issues and seek support.
The animation, which focuses on supporting emergency workers, has already won industry praise for its impact. The LHF is sharing and promoting “The Feelings” to help support those in need around Suicide Prevention Day.
Guy Swimer, Executive Creative Director of McCann Health, says, “We were looking for a new way to support frontline workers who’ve experienced unprecedented pressure in the last couple of years.
“Hopefully people will continue sharing “The Feelings” with those who might need to see it, so we can try to help the people who’ve been helping all of us.”
Charlie Sells, Founder and Creative Director of Jelly, added, “While the issues raised will be familiar to many of us, emergency workers in particular have been profoundly impacted in recent years.
“We are hugely proud of this campaign, which encourages our care givers to articulate and speak about their feelings in the hope that precious lives are not lost.”
CASE STUDY:
“Please seek help and do not go through this alone.”
Gemma Clay, 38, is a nurse and clinical doctorate fellow at the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. Gemma was a finalist for Nurse of the Year with Nursing Times in 2020. She will be providing quotes to support the campaign.
She said: “The leap of 70 per cent is a shocking statistic. But I am not totally surprised because as a nurse working on the frontline, I see every day the mental ill health many in the service are suffering.
“These findings underline why all organisations across the emergency services must step up and do more to ensure they are supporting frontline workers.
“When I talk to staff, many of them tell me that the cost of living crisis is having a big impact on their mental health. Large numbers are also suffering from PTSD linked to the pandemic and burnout due to the current pressures that exist within the service.
“Stigma still exists in this issue and we need to break it down as soon as possible.
“People experiencing suicidal thoughts often struggle to be heard. This could be due to myths surrounding suicide, such as the idea that talking to a suicidal person can make them even more suicidal.
“Another myth is that people who talk about suicide are attention seeking and difficult to manage, when in fact even though bringing up suicide can be very difficult, it suggests that the person wants and needs help.
“We need discussions around mental health and suicide to be a part of everyday conversations. When we acknowledge the problem it shows strength instead of weakness and encourages nurses to talk and not wait until they get into a state of crisis to get help.
“In my view, communication is vital when helping colleagues. All health professionals need to provide a culture that helps and encourages people to speak up. Knowing what to say and what to do when someone is having thoughts of suicide can save lives.
“My main advice to anyone feeling suicidal is to talk to someone. Don’t stay silent, as it is hard going through this alone. Talk to a friend, a family member or a colleague. If you do not want to talk to someone you know then contact a helpline so you can remain anonymous. But please seek help and do not go through this alone.
“Being open and honest about suicide and your mental health does not mean the end of your career. I have been promoted several times. Talking to someone and having someone listen can save a life.”
Following the success of last year’s recruitment fair, St James Quarter has partnered with retail and hospitality recruitment service FUSE to provide a new programme of career opportunities for the sector across Scotland.
The recruitment fair will be held in St James Quarter’s Level 1 unit beside Next from 10:00 – 17:00 on Tuesday 11th of October and those interested are encouraged to sign up now.
In 2021, the recruitment fair saw 300 local applicants attend on the day with 150 successful candidates invited for paid trial shifts and second interviews with many offered a job on the same day. The joint initiative is intended to provide a much needed boost for the local economy by creating new job opportunities across Edinburgh’s retail and hospitality industry.
St James Quarter is on track to sustain the target of 3,000 new job roles for the local economy with an additional 1,500 vacancies set to be created following continual expansion plans within The Quarter and the development of W Hotel. FUSE has already successfully placed 2,000 candidates within The Quarter since its opening.
This year at the recruitment fair, FUSE will be recruiting for 300 vacancies with a variety of positions from Christmas temp seasonal staff through to full and part time roles in a range of levels in retail, restaurant management, customer service and maintenance. Brands from across the Quarter such as Stradivarius, Bonnie and Wild, John Lewis & Partners, Coach, NEOM Organics and Duck & Waffle will all be looking for their newest team members.
In a commitment to support the future of retail in Scotland, St James Quarter and FUSE are continuing to work together to help boost employment in the capital after 62% of those working at The Quarter revealed in a staff survey that their previous job was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving them unemployed and struggling to find work.
Kitti Hovarth, Sales Assistant at Pull & Bear, who found work at St James Quarter through FUSE shares their experience: “During the pandemic, and like many others, I was left unemployed.
“I was unsure where I wanted to take my career and what opportunities were available to me at such an uncertain time. After finding out about FUSE and the recruitment fair, I was able to land a job at St James Quarter as a Sales Assistant.
“This opportunity has allowed me to not only gain experience and expand my skillset in customer service and teamwork, but it’s also boosted my confidence and taken a huge worry off my shoulders”
Jennifer Laseen, Hospitality and F&B Director, St James Quarter said:“We are delighted to be working with FUSE again to find the right candidates for some amazing roles we have across the Quarter.
“The team at St James Quarter are proud to continue to support our team members and nurture new talent and we are encouraging all those who are interested to sign up to the recruitment fair now to avoid any disappointment.”
Niamh Murphy, FUSE Manager, added: “The FUSE team are passionate about supporting St James Quarter and the local Edinburgh communities match employees to the right role within the Quarter.
“Our expert knowledge of the industry allows us to provide a tailored approach to recruitment and continue to support team members and employers with further training, accredited qualifications, and ongoing networking opportunities”
The team at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dunfermline made a £3,000 donation to Children’s Hospices Across Scotland and a £1,000 donation to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity as part of the company’s global Amazon Goes Gold for Kids with Cancer campaign during September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Now in its sixth year, Amazon Goes Gold for Kids with Cancer raises funds and awareness for organisations working to increase survival rates for those with childhood cancer through life-saving treatments and research.
A gold ribbon is the universal symbol for childhood cancer, so this year, Amazon employees from Dunfermline held a month-long series of gold-themed events in recognition of the international emblem.
The team also showed solidarity to children with cancer by donating £3,000 to Kinross-based charity Children’s Hospices Across Scotland and £1,000 to Edinburgh-based charity Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity.
One of the events this year at Amazon in Dunfermline was a Pyjama Day, which saw the fulfilment centre team join with colleagues across the UK to wear pyjamas to work in honour of children who spend every day in their pyjamas during treatment.
Amazon Dunfermline General Manager, Jamie Strain, said: “We are proud to support CHAS and Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity in honour of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and this year’s Amazon Goes Gold for Kids with Cancer campaign.
“We look forward to doing our bit for children with cancer every year, and hope that this donation offers encouragement to the charity’s brilliant team and the families it supports.”
One of the Amazon employees who took part in Amazon Goes Gold for Kids with Cancer is Aoife Considine. She added: “It was great to take part in Amazon in Dunfermline’s Pyjama Day and help spread awareness of the realities of childhood cancer. I’m so pleased that we could offer support to such an excellent charity.”
This year, Amazon employees in the UK also had the opportunity to support children and families affected by childhood cancer by volunteering with childhood cancer charities and organisations, or by putting together activity packs for children facing cancer, which were distributed to nearby hospitals and hospices.
Amazon Goes Gold for Kids with Cancer takes place annually as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities in and around its operating locations across the UK.
Edinburgh Castle has announced the launch of a brand-new IPA – its first collaboration with the award-winning brewery, Stewart Brewing.
The IPA is the latest addition to the Edinburgh Castle range and is brewed and bottled in the Scottish capital by Stewart Brewing. Heaped with American Hops, the beer provides notes of tangy grapefruit, balanced out by Scottish malts to create an exceptionally smooth drink.
This new, exclusive bottling celebrates Scottish history, local businesses and innovation across the industry, with the label design taking inspiration from the topology of castle rock. Capturing both modern and historic artwork, the distinctive packaging offers a great memento particularly for tourists and beer fans.
Retailing at £3.50 per bottle and bottled at 5.0% ALC, the IPA will be available to purchase from the Edinburgh Castle shops and online through the Historic Environment Scotland website.
The Queen Anne’s Tea Room at the castle will also stock the new beer where visitors can enjoy the deliciously refreshing drink while taking a break from touring the iconic landmark.
Steve Stewart, founder and managing director at Stewart Brewing said: “It’s extremely exciting to see our partnership with Historic Environment Scotland come to life with the official launch of the Edinburgh Castle IPA.
“Quality and provenance are at the heart of both Stewart Brewing and Edinburgh Castle, and our team has worked extremely hard, using the finest ingredients, to brew this delicious beer and we hope consumers enjoy drinking Edinburgh Castle IPA as much as we enjoyed crafting it.”
Natasha Troitino, head of retail at Historic Environment Scotland, which operates Edinburgh Castle, said: “We were keen to continue to expand our Edinburgh Castle range following the success of previous launches. With Scotland renowned for its leading craft beer industry, we knew we wanted to explore this further.
“The collaboration with Stewart Brewing felt like a natural partnership, using their expertise to capture the perfect flavour profile and offer something unique to our customers. It was important for us to team up with a local Edinburgh business to celebrate the very best of Scottish beer and the rich history of the castle.”
For more information and to purchase the new IPA, visit: www.stor.scot
Environmental campaigners have reacted angrily to the UK Government plans to increase exploration for new oil and gas fields despite the devastating climate impacts of burning fossil fuels.
They accused politicians of ‘sticking two fingers up’ to scientists calling for an end to fossil fuels to protect the climate. Climate science and energy experts have repeatedly warned that any new oil and gas projects will push the world well past dangerous climate limits.
The North Sea Transition Authority confirmed today that they will invite companies to apply for over 100 licences to explore for more fossil fuels in the North Sea.
The UK Committee on Climate Change said earlier this year that the timeline from the issuing of an exploration licence to production commencing ranges from under a decade to several decades, with an average of around 28 years.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon opposed the controversial Cambo oil field last year, and has since recognised that oil and gas is not a solution to the current price crisis, but has so far stopped short of opposing the Jackdaw or Rosebank fields.
Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Oil and Gas campaigner Freya Aitchison said: “By encouraging greedy fossil fuel companies to keep looking for more fossil fuels, the UK Government is denying the reality of the climate emergency.
“It is sticking two fingers up to climate scientists and energy experts who have made it clear that there should be no new oil and gas if we are to remain within agreed climate limits.
“The devastating climate impacts people are enduring with floods in Pakistan, Hurricane Ian in the US and the scorching heatwave in the UK are being driven by burning fossil fuels. The UK Government clearly doesn’t care about the impact its decisions will have on vulnerable people and communities around the world.
“Instead of new fossil fuels, we urgently need a transition to an energy system powered by renewables, and a mass rollout of energy efficiency measures to reduce energy demand. With the cost of living skyrocketing due to the volatile prices of oil and gas, it’s obvious that our current energy system is completely unfit for purpose, serving only to make oil company bosses and shareholders richer while everyone else loses out. ”
On the Scottish Government’s role:
“The Scottish Government must be willing to stand up to these reckless plans to expand fossil fuels in the North Sea. These announcements risk locking us into a climate-destroying energy system for decades to come, entrenching reliance on this volatile industry in places like Aberdeen, and leaving people all across Scotland exposed to rocketing energy bills.”
On the ‘Climate Compatibility Checkpoint’:
“The UK government’s supposed checkpoint is a worthless charade as there can be no climate compatible new oil and gas. It is a deeply cynical attempt to provide cover for reckless plans to expand the very industry that is fuelling both the climate and the cost of living crises.
As a part of this year’s #ChallengePovertyWeek, we wrote a blog where we explain why women are being hardest hit by the cost-of-living crisis & discuss actions that need to be taken to #TurnTheTide on women’s poverty.
