‘What a feeling!’ as Scotland’s bars scoop top awards

Edinburgh pub entrepreneur Billy Lowe got an extra birthday present when he scooped the Lifetime Achievement Award at Tuesday’s Scottish Bar and Pub Awards, formerly known as the DRAM Awards, on his actual birthday! The award recognised his 35 years at the top of the licensed trade.

Said DRAM publisher Susan Young, “Billy Lowe is arguably Scotland’s most successful licensed trade entrepreneur. Having created three very successful pub companies and operated more than 30 pubs over the decades, he remains at the helm of Caledonia Inns, which includes the award-winning Black Ivy.”

The latter also won the Drinks Express Best Outdoor Area award.

He received his award in front of more than 600 industry peers at a glittering 80s Film themed awards ceremony at the Doubletree Hilton in Glasgow.

Following his win, Billy said, “It was a complete surprise, and I was delighted that the whole family was there to see it! For me, to be recognised alongside the deserving people who have won this award before, people that I truly admire, was such an honour.”

The event saw 30 awards presented to both venues and individuals from all around Scotland spanning from Our Place in Annan which picked up the Media World Casual Dining Award, to Inverness-based Prime which grabbed the ARO Procurement Customer Service Award.

Organiser Susan Young said: The Scottish licensed trade is full of successful entrepreneurs and as a result we have some of the best pubs and venues in the UK.  These awards recognise and celebrate the efforts of the owners and their employees that give Scotland a hospitality industry that is worth shouting about. I take my hat off to all of them.”

Now in their 28th year, the awards are a highlight in the hospitality industry calendar and this year over 100 finalists attended the ceremony at the Double Tree Hilton Glasgow Central – making it the biggest event yet!

There were celebrations in Aberdeen as Scott Anderson of Siberia Bar & Hotel won THE DRUM Digital Innovator of the Year, Adrian Gomes of The Tippling House won Campari Mixologist of the Year and Bryony Baxter of Meraki Bar and Restaurant was named as William Grant & Sons Bar Apprentice of the Year.

In Edinburgh there was a double celebration for the Tipsy Midgie and owner Colin Hinds who took home both Benromach’s Whisky Bar of the Year and the Deanston Whisky Guru gongs!

Hey Palu was named the Makers Mark Cocktail Bar of the Year, Stramash as Pernod Ricard Best Late-Night Venue and Brewhemia as Molson Coors Scottish Bar of the Year!

A special mention went to The Original Rosslyn Inn who were honoured with the Golden Jubilee Award for Hospitality to celebrate their 50th year of business.

Meanwhile, in Glasgow winners included local favourites St Lukes & The Winged Ox for Hi-Spirits Best Live Music Venue, the WORQ Group for Premier Card Services Independent Operator of the Year and Graham Chalmers of Radisson RED who won the inaugural Edrington UK Giving More Award for his amazing charitable contributions.

Gillian Kirkland of The Piper Whisky Bar was deservedly crowned Inspirational Woman of the Year, Rory McGinley of Two Fat Ladies at The Buttery was named HOSPO Manager of the Year and Sportsterz Pete Harvey was stunned to receive his Bar Personality of the Year award!

A special ‘Heart of Hospitality’ award was also given to Bucks Bar owner Michael Bergson for being such a great voice for the licensed trade industry.

The Lisini Pub Company were recognized for their amazing sustainability work, winning the Flor de Cana Rum Sustainability Award and Baillieston’s The East End Fox snapped up the trophy for Kopparbergs New Bar of the Year.

In Ayrshire, industry giants Buzzworks took home the Hospitality Employer of the Year gong, the Fox and Willow won Inverarity Morton Scotland’s Best Drinks Offeringand Brandon Van Rensburg, owner of the Tempura chain, walked away as Buzzworks & Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year.

Other winners from the west included Great Scots Bar in the Cameron House that were awarded Molinari’s Hotel Bar of the Year, The Oak Tree Inn in Balmaha that won Hotel Scotland Family Business of the Year, and Aberfoyle’s The Forth Inn that scooped the prize for Sheep Dog Whisky Dog Friendly Pub of the Year.

Falkirk’s Brian Flynn, owner of Behind The Wall, was named Licensee of the Year and The Scottish Hospitality Group awarded its Special Recognition Award to Caroline Louden of TLT LLP.

The full list of winners is below:

Lifetime Achievement Award

Billy Lowe – Caledonia Inns

Heart of Hospitality Award

Michael Bergson – Bucks Bar

ARO Procurement Customer Service Award

Prime Steak & Seafood – Inverness

Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year

Tipsie Midgie – Edinburgh

Buzzworks & Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year

Brandon Van Rensburg – Tempura, Ayr

Campari Mixologist of the Year

Adrian Gomes – The Tippling House, Aberdeen

Deanston Whisky Guru of the Year

Colin Hinds – Tipsy Midgie, Edinburgh

Hospitality Employer of the Year

Buzzworks – Ayrshire

Drinks Express Best Outdoor Area

Black Ivy – Edinburgh

THE DRUM Digital Innovator of the Year

Siberia Bar & Hotel – Aberdeen

‘Giving More’ Award in partnership with Edrington UK

Graham Chalmers – Radisson RED, Glasgow

Flor de Cana Rum Sustainability Award

Lisini Pub Company – Uddingston

Golden Jubilee Award for Hospitality Excellence

The Original Rosslyn Inn – Roslin

HI-SPIRITS Best Live Music Venue

St Lukes & The Winged Ox  – Glasgow

HOSPO Manager of the Year

Rory McGinley – Two Fat Ladies at The Buttery, Glasgow

Hotel Scotland Family Business of the Year

The Oak Tree Inn – Balmaha

Inspirational Woman of the Year

Gillian Kirkland – The Piper Whisky Bar,Glasgow

Inverarity Morton Scotland’s Best Drinks Offering

The Fox and Willow – Ayr

Kopparberg New Bar of the Year

The East End Fox – Baillieston

Makers Mark Cocktail Bar of the Year

Hey Palu – Edinburgh

Mediaworld Casual Dining Award

Our Place – Annan

Molinari Hotel Bar of the Year

Great Scots’ Bar – Cameron House

Molson Coors Scottish Bar of the Year

Brewhemia – Edinburgh

Pernod Ricard Best Late-Night Venue

Stramash – Edinburgh

Premier Card Services Independent Operator of the Year

WORQ Group – Glasgow

Bar Personality of the Year

Pete Harvey – Sportsterz

Sheep Dog Whisky Dog Friendly Pub of the Year

The Forth Inn – Aberfoyle

Scottish Hospitality Group Contribution to the Industry Award

Caroline Loudon – TLT LLP

DRAM Licensee of the Year 2023

Brian Flynn – Behind the Wall, Falkirk

William Grant & Sons Bar Apprentices

Bryony Baxter – Meraki Bar & Restaurant, Bridge of Don

Follow us online:

www.dramscotland.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/scottish.bar.pub.awards/ https://www.instagram.com/scottishbarpubawards/

Short-term lets licensing scheme explained

This week the Scottish Government released the first statistics on applications and granting of licences for short-term lets by councils (write Fraser of Allander Institute’s JOAO SOUSA and MAIRI SPOWAGE).

The licensing scheme came into force in October 2022 for new operators, and existing operators must apply for a licence before 1 October 2023. We’ll explore a bit more about the expected outcomes from the scheme and what the data tell us so far:

What is the idea behind the licensing scheme?

The Scottish Government committed in the 2018-19 Programme for Government to create a system that would allow local authorities to have “appropriate regulatory powers to balance the needs and concerns of their communities with wider economic and tourism interests”. There have since been three consultations (2019, 2020 and 2021) on the desirability of a scheme and its aims, with a final statutory instrument being laid in late 2021 to implement the scheme now in place.

The licensing scheme is based on provisions from the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, which allow the Scottish Government to make it a criminal offence for operators in specified markets to operate without a licence, making them subject to a fine of up to £2,500 (which the Government intends to legislate to increase to £10,000). There is also a provision for the designation of control areas by councils to manage high concentrations of secondary letting.

The Scottish Government’s stated aims in introducing the scheme are to:

  • Ensure short-term lets are safe and address issues faced by neighbours;
  • Allow local authorities to know and understand what activities are happening in their area, and to allow them to handle complaints effectively;
  • Manage high concentration areas of secondary letting where it affects the availability of residential housing or the character of a neighbourhood);
  • Restrict short-term lets in places where they deem it not appropriate; and
  • Help local authorities ensure the available housing stock is used to the best effect.

The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) has a helpful blog covering the specifics of the scheme and the legislative process that has underpinned it.

Why does the Government feel the need to intervene?

As part of the business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) process, the Scottish Government is required to justify why it feels that government intervention is appropriate. The rationale for intervention is generally a market failure, that is, a situation where market outcomes end up not being socially optimal – either because too much or too little activity happens and/or because costs are imposed on third parties that have no say in the transaction.

In the BRIA for this measure, the Scottish Government highlights two main market failures:

  • One is asymmetric information, as hosts are likely to know more about the safety and quality of a property than guests. The classic example of this in the market for used cars (George Akerlof’s Nobel Prize-winning contribution), where the asymmetry means that eventually only poor quality cars are sold. In the short-term licensing case, the Government argues that people may unwittingly stay in unsafe accommodation and that unsafe hosts will undercut safe hosts because they will not have to bear the costs of meeting safety standards. The Government then argues that the licensing scheme will provide better information, removing unsafe accommodation and providing a level playing field – and also states that increased consumer confidence might increase demand for short-term lets.
  • The other market failure described by the government is the existence of negative externalities, which mean that third parties (i.e. neither hosts nor guests) bear some of the costs of these transactions but such costs are not accounted for in the market price. The BRIA lists a number of those, including increased housing costs (to rent long term or buy) for local residents; the decrease in local amenities for long-term residents and reduced sense of community due to a high concentration of short-term lets; nuisance through noise, littering and anti-social behaviour; and potential use of accommodation for criminal purpose, with or without collusion from the host. Nuisance impacts (parking, littering, traffic and noise) were found in a 2019 survey by the Scottish Government to be a big concern, as were the impacts on the housing market through reduction in housing affordability through lower availability and higher prices for long-term residential use.

The effects on neighbourhood character, nuisance and the long-term residential housing market are especially prevalent in areas of very high concentration of short-term lets. Edinburgh City Centre and Skye are the most extreme cases, where the Scottish Government estimates that more than 10% of dwellings are used for secondary letting.

Who and what does licensing cover?

The licensing scheme casts a very wide net. It naturally applies to secondary letting – that is, the letting of a property that is not one’s main residence, so a second home or holiday let. But it also applies to those renting out a room in their property on a short-term basis while living in it, and those letting out a property while on holiday – including house swaps, even if no money is exchanged (as the legislation treats that as an in-kind payments and therefore still requiring licensing).

There are exemptions – for example, those providing a service (e.g. careworkers) while staying overnight, aparthotels and other types of accommodation (hotels, some B&Bs and guesthouses with licensed premises) which already have their own licensing scheme.

The scheme also imposes minimum safety standards, including meeting the repairing standard, providing an energy certificate, fire records and warning systems, gas supply certificates, electrical installation condition reports, portable appliance testing for all movable appliances, legionella risk assessment, and buildings and public liability insurance.

Councils are also allowed to set additional standards which go above those in the legislation. Operators will also have to pay a fee for obtaining the licence, which is to be set by local authorities on the basis of the cost they incur to administer the scheme. The SPICe blog mentions £300 to £500 as the expected level for these fees.

Is there evidence for these market failures and how well does the scheme address them?

There is some evidence in the BRIA that specific areas of Scotland have very high concentrations of short-term lets, and that such concentrations have reduce the supply of housing available for long-term residential use. This drives up prices and reduces affordability, and is especially true for second homes.

The scheme goes some way towards addressing this by imposing additional costs on secondary letting and allowing councils to set up control areas in which planning permission is required for letting out an entire second home. If the intended effect is to encourage some people at the margin who would otherwise keep letting out their second home to release it for long-term use, then it will have some effect.

It is, though, debatable how large that will be relative to the additional income earned through short-term letting. But the Government’s BRIA has made no attempt to quantify this – in fact, section E (which summaries costs and benefits) is notable for the absence of any quantification of impacts.

One clear effect of the scheme will be to increase the cost of supplying accommodation. Even if a host provides safe accommodation already, with all the formal requirements set out in the regulations, it will still have to bear the cost of the licence.

But it is unlikely that many will have no other additional costs. The question then becomes who bears these additional costs, and that depends mostly on the price elasticity of demand, that is, how price sensitive consumers are.

If guests are not very price sensitive, then we would expect them to bear most of the additional costs through higher prices, without much reduction in the quantity of accommodation purchased. But if they are very price sensitive, then more of the cost will be borne by suppliers – and if it tips some into not making a high enough return on supplying short-term accommodation, then they might exit the market altogether – leading to both higher prices and lower availability.

That may well be the Government’s intended outcome – but the BRIA does not make that clear. And by including those renting a room in their home while living there in the scheme, it’s not clear either that licensing will lead to the release of substantial amounts of property into residential use.

But rooms for short-term rental are substantially cheaper than whole dwelling accommodation, and hosts are likely to be earning considerably less – and given the fee and cost structure of complying, they are the most likely to decide not to supply short-term accommodation.

If that happens, we will be in a situation where supply is lower, prices are higher and little additional housing is available – because those most likely to exit the market were already using it for their main residence. The BRIA states that a visit to Scotland does not have a perfect substitute in visiting a different place, implying that the market would be able to bear higher prices – but that presumes that the prospective visitor has a very specific preference for visiting Scotland.

But no evidence is provided to back this up – and if consumers are instead indifferent about destinations and are instead shopping around given specific dates they have in place, their price sensitivity could be much greater.

The BRIA argues that the reduction in information asymmetry may in fact increase demand for accommodation in Scotland relative to competitor destinations. This is an unpersuasive argument.

Unlike other markets where little recourse exists – e.g. cash sales or small value items – there is a lot of information already in the market, including peer reviews on platforms which already require those reviewing to have previously purchased the service.

The platforms themselves have an incentive to maintain high quality as otherwise their reputation will suffer. And in any case in none of the consultation documents provide much evidence that the sector is currently providing much unsafe accommodation – bringing into question whether the market failure the scheme is meant to address is a significant one to begin with.

What does today’s statistics release tell us about the scheme?

Today’s release covered the first two quarters (Q4 2022 and Q1 2023) during which applications could be made for a licence, though only new operators were required to have applied already.

It is also hard to know the total number of potentially affected operators. The BRIA used the non-domestic rates valuation roll for premises registered for self-catering or B&B/guest house use, which amounted to around 18,000 in April 2021. But many of the properties covered will not be subject to non-domestic rates but instead council tax, as their main purpose is residential use. Airbnb had 35,000 properties available to let in Scotland in January 2019.

In any case, the number of applications received by 31 March 2023 was just over 2,500, indicating that probably less than a tenth of all eligible properties were in the system by then. Of the applications received, just over a third had received a decision, and not a single one had been refused. This is perhaps unsurprising at this stage – people who have already applied when compliance is only mandatory for new operators will be disproportionally likely to comply with the rules.

Numbers were especially low in urban areas: both Edinburgh and Glasgow had less than 100 applications each, and Aberdeen and Dundee had less than 50 each. With urban areas being much more likely to have home sharing, we probably should read little into the fact that the majority of applications so far have been for secondary letting of whole dwellings.

The low numbers in the system though could be something of a concern going forward. The scheme’s binding deadline was extended by six months to 1 October 2023 in December of last year, and while the First Minister has ruled out subsequent delays, local authorities might find themselves flooded with applications right before the deadline.

It also raises the issue of compliance with the scheme and of the public’s awareness of it. The Scottish Government has set up a website with information on how to comply, but given how few people have already applied, it might be required to step up its information campaign – we are not sure people are fully aware they are in theory committing a criminal offence if they do not apply for licence and continue operating.

Overall, whilst the policy imperative on second homes in some areas of Scotland is well evidenced, the breadth of this legislation to target use of primary residences seems much less so. Many will be surprised to find that it includes house swaps! It is not clear to us what policy problem the inclusion of this activity is actually trying to address.

Witness appeal following Comiston collision

About 1750 hours, Friday 11 August 2023, a small black vehicle travelling south has turned right into Comiston View from Comiston Road in Edinburgh.

At this time, a cyclist has been cycling north and, on crossing the bell mouth of the junction, has collided with the side of the vehicle, resulting in him falling off to his injury. The vehicle has not stopped. The cyclist was taken to the ERI where he required stitches to his leg. His pedal cycle was broken in three places.

The vehicle has been described as a Toyota, possibly a Yaris or Aygo, with tinted rear windows.

Anyone who was in the area around the time of the event and has witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage is encouraged to contact 101, quoting incident number 3164 of 11th August 2023.

EIS-FELA: Time running out to avert escalation of college lecturers dispute

The EIS has called on the Scottish Government and College Employers Scotland to take definitive action to ensure that college lecturers receive a fair and fully funded pay award.

College Employers Scotland have made clear to negotiators from the EIS-Further Education Lecturers Association (EIS-FELA) that their current offer would be funded through significant job losses across the publicly funded further education sector.

EIS-FELA members have been engaged in industrial action short of strike (ASOS), in the form of a resulting boycott and work to contract, since May 2023 and should have received their pay award one year ago.

Without an acceptable and fully funded offer, the EIS-FELA membership will escalate their industrial action campaign to include national and rolling strike action, alongside targeted strike action in the constituencies of key Scottish Government ministers, including the First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education.

As politicians from the Scottish Government and all other parties at Holyrood return from the summer recess, EIS-FELA intends to take the campaign for a fully funded and fair pay award directly to parliament, with a rally planned outside the Scottish Parliament to coincide with the first FMQs of the new session.

College Employers Scotland have also this week refused a request made by the EIS to extend the current industrial action mandate. In the absence of such agreement from College Employers Scotland, the EIS has continued with the implementation of a national re-ballot for both action short of strike and strike action that has opened today (Thursday 31st August 2023).

Commenting, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley, said, “Time is running out, on both the Scottish Government and College Employers Scotland, to avert the escalation of the crisis in Scotland’s colleges. No group of workers, least of all those in public sector institutions, should be told by their employers that they must sacrifice jobs to finance an already unacceptable pay offer.

“College Employers Scotland have yet to offer evidence that they have made clear to the Scottish Government that any acceptable pay award must be fully funded.

“The Scottish Government too must end its intransigence and avert this crisis by ensuring that no pay offer to hard working college lecturers is financed by job losses. EIS-FELA members are prepared to take substantial strike action, on top of action short of strike, in pursuit of a fully funded and fair pay award. They do so with the full backing of the EIS behind them.”

EIS-FELA President, Anne-Marie Harley, said, “College lecturers should have received a fair pay award a year ago and have been forced into the unacceptable situation of escalating their industrial action to a wide-ranging programme of strike action, including targeted strike action in the constituencies of Scottish Government ministers.

“We do so alongside a re-ballot of our members to ensure that we can continue this fight for fair pay for as long as it takes. EIS-FELA will never trade jobs for pay and both College Employers Scotland and the Scottish Government must act swiftly to avert strike action through providing a fully funded a fair pay award for college lecturers that does not result in job losses.”

A full programme of strike action is provided below:

  • Thursday 7th September: National strike Day.

Rolling Action Week One:

  • Monday 11th September: New College Lanarkshire and Orkney College.
  • Tuesday 12th September: Glasgow Clyde College and Sabhal Mor Ostaig.
  • Wednesday 13th September: Forth Valley College and UHI Moray.
  • Thursday 14th September: Glasgow Kelvin College and NESCoL.
  • Friday 15th September: Fife College and UHI North, West and Hebrides.

Rolling Action Week Two:

  • Monday 18th September: West College Scotland and Newbattle Abbey College.
  • Tuesday 19th September: UHI Argyle and Ayrshire College.
  • Wednesday 20th September: South Lanarkshire College and Shetland College.
  • Thursday 21st September: Dumfries & Galloway College and Dundee & Angus College.
  • Friday 22nd September: UHI Perth and Edinburgh College.

Rolling Action Week Three:

  • Monday 25th September: UHI Inverness and West Lothian College.
  • Tuesday 26th September: City of Glasgow College and Borders College.
  • Targeted Action: 2nd, 3rd and 4th October:
  • Glasgow Clyde College: First Minister’s constituency.
  • Fife College: Cabinet Secretary for Education’s constituency.
  • Dundee & Angus College: Deputy First Minister’s and Minister for FE’s constituency.

‘Slip Up’: Clarification as council underlines commitment to short-term lets legislation

Council leader ‘sorry’ for misleading comments

With one month to go until Scotland’s short term lets licence deadline, the Council has reaffirmed its commitment to the scheme and the 1 October start date.

The need for clarity over Edinburgh’s commitment to the scheme followed comments made by council leader Cammy Day where he appeared to support calls for an extension to the deadline.

At the Council meeting on 31 August, councillors agreed the following emergency motion:

Emergency Motion – Short Term Lets

Notes the deadline of 1 October 2023 for existing landlords to apply for a license for a short term let (STL).

Notes the unanimous decision of all members of the Regulatory Committee on 6 February 2023 to “regret” the Scottish Government’s decision to delay the start date for STL licensing for existing landlords from 1 April to 1 October 2023.

Believes that a proper system of licensing is important to help address the significant issues within the short-term rental market which is why there was such strong cross-party agreement for a robust system of regulation.

Therefore, regrets the comments made by the Council Leader on BBC Radio Scotland on 23 August 2023, which might have led operators to assume or believe that the Council Leader, and by extension the Council, was open to a further extension to the 1 October 2023 start date when no such position has been taken, either by the Regulatory Committee or full Council.

Believes these comments, despite further clarifications, were damaging to the ongoing hard work of officers to encourage landlords to meet the 1 October 2023 start date by suggesting a dilution of this Council’s commitment to the proper and fair regulation of the short term let market in Edinburgh.

Therefore, Council:

  • Reaffirms its existing commitment to the licensing of short term lets, expresses its opposition to any further extension to the start date for licensing of existing short term let landlords and requests that this position be communicated strongly through the Council’s communications channels.
  • Agrees that the Council Leader will write to Scottish Ministers to convey that opposition and further welcomes recent comments from the First Minister and the Economy Minister that there will be no further extension to the 1 October start date.
    Calls on all existing STL operators to ensure they submit a licensing application ahead of the 1 October 2023 start date.
  • Agrees the outstanding briefing, outlining the state of readiness of the Council to process applications by 1 October 2023, will be circulated to Councillors before the Finance and Resources Committee meeting of 21 September 2023 to align with budget considerations.
  • In addition, a draft copy of the STL Enforcement report due to be presented to the 2 October Regulatory Committee should be circulated on a confidential basis to all councillors also before 21 September Finance & Resources Committee meeting.

Moved by: Councillor Neil Ross
Seconded by: Councillor Susan Rae

Visit the Scottish Government’s website for further information on the scheme

Consultation launched into unregulated cosmetic procedures

People and businesses are invited to share their views on how to make non-surgical cosmetic procedures safer as thousands complain of ‘botched’ procedures

  • UK Government to seek views on how to make non-surgical cosmetic procedures safer for consumers
  • Calls for views from industry and people who have undergone these procedures will be used to shape regulations
  • Proposals considered include restrictions on who can perform certain high-risk procedures and age limits for those undergoing cosmetic procedures

People and businesses are being invited to share their views on how to make non-surgical cosmetic procedures – including Botox, laser hair removal and dermal fillers – safer as thousands complain of ‘botched’ procedures.

The UK Government’s first-ever consultation on treatments – also known as aesthetic procedures – will be used to shape a new licensing scheme for practitioners and cosmetic businesses which operate in England. This could include age limits and restrictions for high-risk procedures, including those involving injecting fillers into intimate parts of the body – including the breasts and buttocks.

Any new licensing scheme would protect patients from potential harm associated with poorly performed procedures. This will provide reassurance to people that wherever they go to get their treatments, they will receive the same high standards of practice.

The beauty industry is hugely important for the UK economy and is largely made up of female-owned small and medium sized businesses, with the non-surgical cosmetic industry previously being valued at an estimated £3.6 billion in the UK.

New regulations will support businesses by introducing high standards across the sector, raising the reputation and professionalism of the industry.

Minister for the Women’s Health Strategy, Maria Caulfield said: “Whether it’s Botox, dermal fillers or even a chemical peel, we have heard too many stories of people who’ve had bad experiences from getting a cosmetic procedure from someone who is inexperienced or underqualified.

“There’s no doubt that the popularity of cosmetic procedures is increasing, so it’s our role to ensure consistent standards for consumers and a level playing field for businesses and practitioners.

“We want to make sure we get this right for everyone, which is why we want to hear your opinions and experiences through our new consultation.”

An estimated 900,000 Botox injections are carried out in the UK each year. Save Face – a government approved register of accredited practitioners – received almost 3,000 complaints in 2022, with over two-thirds of those complaints relating to dermal fillers and almost a quarter relating to Botox.

Ashton Collins, director, Save Face said: “Whilst we appreciate that we are still at very early stages of any potential licensing scheme being implemented in England, we are delighted to have been invited by the government to contribute our thoughts and ideas ahead of the release of this public consultation.

“Being involved in the process has enabled Save Face to actively contribute to roundtable discussions with ministers, policy makers and key stakeholders.

“As the largest and longest established Professional Standards Authority accredited register, we are able to provide a unique level of insight based on ten years of gathering data from practitioner and clinic audits as well as patient reported complaints, adverse reactions, and complications.

“This will enable us to help develop a fit for purpose scheme that has public safety as its primary focus. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the government and key stakeholders during the next stages of the process.”

Professor David Sines CBE, Chair of the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners, said: “I warmly welcome the government’s decision to consult on this new, proposed licensing scheme. 

“It will help to ensure that people who undergo non-surgical cosmetic procedures receive treatment from practitioners who are properly trained and qualified, have the necessary insurance cover and operate from premises that are safe and hygienic.

“I would urge everybody to seize the opportunity provided by this consultation and support the move towards sensible and proportionate regulation in this important sector.”

Victoria Brownlie, Chief Policy Officer at the British Beauty Council: “Since its inception, the British Beauty Council has been working to raise the reputation of the beauty industry and we see greater checks and balances around aesthetic procedures as a key part of this.

“Having worked with the government to achieve the ban on injectables for under 18s in 2021, we are delighted that they have continued this momentum with the commitment to introduce a licensing scheme covering a raft of higher-risk aesthetic treatments, many of which are largely unregulated.

“Those seeking treatments deserve to do so with confidence that their practitioner is properly qualified in the service they’re offering, to the appropriate level of government approved educational standards.

“The Council has worked closely with the Department of Health and Social Care to get to this point, so we look forward to seeing the outcome of the consultation and helping to shape the regulatory framework as it progresses.”

The consultation will run for 8 weeks and will close on Saturday 28 October.

It follows the passing of the Health and Care Act in April 2022, which gave the Health and Social Care Secretary the power to introduce a licensing regime.

Under the proposed scheme, which will be operated by local authorities in England, practitioners will need to be licensed to perform specific procedures, and the premises from which they operate will also need to be licensed.

The government has already made it illegal for under-18s to access Botox and filler treatments for cosmetic purposes and banned TV and social media adverts targeting under-18s with cosmetic procedures.

Anyone considering a cosmetic procedure should reflect fully on the possible impact of the procedure on both their physical and mental health and, if they decide to go ahead, take the time to find a reputable, insured and qualified practitioner.

New funding to support innovation in public libraries

Libraries across Scotland can apply to the Public Library Improvement Fund to help finance creative projects and sustainable services.

Projects that could be supported under the £450,000 Scottish Government fund include tackling the cost of living crisis, bridging the digital divide, tackling the attainment gap for children and young people, or addressing sustainable development goals.

The Scottish Library and Information Council, administrators of the fund, will make awards in line with the aims and ambitions of its current strategy.

Culture Minister Christina McKelvie said: “Libraries provide much more than just access to reading material, resources and information. They play a crucial role in empowering our communities, including offering access to IT, supporting children in their early years and running programmes for older people.

“The funding awards will enable libraries to expand and improve on the services they provide with many of the projects helping to reduce inequalities, tackle social isolation and address mental health problems. Our libraries are demonstrating tremendous strength and resilience and as community hubs they have a key role to play in Scotland’s economic, social and cultural life.”

Pamela Tulloch, chief executive of the Scottish Library and Information Council, said: “Focusing on the themes of People, Place and Partnership, the Public Library Improvement Fund allows us to support those leading the way in mapping out a positive and inspiring future for our public libraries.

“A key part of the grant criteria is ensuring that the impact of these projects is sustained beyond the one-year period of the funding. At a time when Scotland’s communities are experiencing economic and environmental challenges, leaving behind a valuable legacy of skills, experience, resources and partnerships that will benefit the community for years to come has never been more important.”

The Public Library Improvement Fund 2023-24 will open for applications on Wednesday 6 September.

Music artists celebrate the finale of St James Quarter Sessions

St James Quarter Sessions artists celebrated the finale of St James Quarter Sessions – a free live music event series that took place at St James Quarter throughout August.

With an impressive line-up of over 60 live performances and DJ sets, the Quarter transformed into a music festival site with guests reserving tickets to enjoy exclusive sets from talent including Russell Stewart, Grace and the Flat Boys and Super French.

St James Quarter, Summer Sessions Fringe Busking event
St James Quarter, Summer Sessions Fringe Busking event
St James Quarter, Summer Sessions Fringe Busking event

Vote of confidence: Edinburgh Napier Uni to work with Democracy Counts to improve trust in elections

The Knowledge Transfer Programme will look at new ways to identify voters

Edinburgh Napier University and Democracy Counts, a company which runs elections around the world, are teaming up in a joint effort to give people more trust in their voting systems in the digital age.

The University’s Blockpass ID Lab will work with the firm over two years as part of a new Knowledge Transfer Programme, funded by Innovate UK.

While many electoral operators still rely on paper and pen to recognise voters, the partnership will look at developing new ways of identifying citizens, while keeping their personal information safe.

It is hoped that this will make elections more secure, transparent and reliable in future.

Professor Bill Buchanan OBE, who leads the Blockpass ID Lab at Edinburgh Napier University, said: “This collaboration will bring forward new methods, using our expertise in advanced cryptography, to properly identify voters at each of the key stages of an election.

“We will aim to replace our paper-based signatures with a more reliable and trustworthy digital approach. Through advancements like this, and digital wallets, we hope to provide more convenient and accessible ways for citizens to take part in the democratic process.”

Simon Verdon, CEO of Democracy Counts, said: “We run elections around the world, and each one differs in their scope and implementation.

“This collaboration will allow us to build the next generation of trusted voter registration and election systems which can integrate different levels of digital trust, and should make voting more transparent, more resilient, and more trustworthy.

“The opportunity is thus for the UK to continue to be an international leader in the setup of elections.”

Paul Keating, Technical Director of Democracy Counts, said: “Digital trust plays an ever-increasing role in our lives, especially as we move towards digital signing.

“As elections have to have high levels of trust and transparency, this work will bring forward the current state-of-the-art in digital trust.

“But there are challenges around using citizen data, and so the collaboration will bring forward the latest research in the preservation of privacy and make sure it has high levels of trust from citizens.”

Established in 2009, Democracy Counts is a market-leading provider of electoral management software, support services and training to the UK Government and local authorities across Scotland, England and Wales – as well as managed referendums and ballot services to public, private and community organisations.

Edinburgh Napier University’s Blockpass ID Lab has spent the last five years researching ways in which blockchain technology can protect personal data from online scammers and hackers.

Mixing it with Granton Youth

Granton Youth, who work out of Royston & Wardieburn Community Centre, have developed a very successful ‘Mixtape’ group (writes DAVID MACNAB).

This provides opportunities to learn from volunteers and tutors who come from different backgrounds but perform music. The young people get bespoke lessons such as vocals, guitar, bass guitar, piano, and drums – along with learning music production, song writing exercises, and how to play in a band environment.

The 2023 – 2024 year looks like it is going to be a defining year for the young people who get music tuition and support from Granton Youth and Mixtape.

This year five of the young acts performed at the second North Edinburgh Community Festival, attended by over 6000 people in West Pilton Park, with Granton Youth and Tinderbox partnering on the musical end.

Kat, who plays under the name “Laurent” (french pronunciation), completed her debut EP “Modern Myths” and released this to much acclaim.

Despite being only 17, they have already been named “track of the week” on BBC introducing in Scotland with the track “News to Me” and has become one of the youngest ever people to headline Sneaky Pete’s in Edinburgh. Her other singles “Paint” and “Hunting Season” are also receiving national and US airplay. 

Tonight – Friday 1st September – the Mixtape club takes over Sneaky Pete’s again, with four young Broughton High students headlining as the newly formed band “Low Tide” and having sold out the venue in advance following the release of their debit single “Between Knuckles” – all received tutelage, rehearsal time, and recording studio hours through Granton Youth.

They have also worked closely with our school workers within Broughton High, forming meaning relationships with Granton Youth which made them feel comfortable in coming to Mixtape. 

Later this year, Mixtape has these two acts performing at Dunfermline’s “Outwith” Festival – as well as our young persons covers band “Ecliptic”, has partnered with Tinderbox again to form “North By Northwest” – a free entry gig evening in Leith showcasing young and emerging talent, and will be touring it’s young acts across Scotland in the months to come with shows already scheduled in Aberdeen and Glasgow.

A great example of how youth work can really make a difference to young lives.