Month: November 2023

Ocean Terminal redevelopment steps up as Level X confirms new venue

Immersive gaming and entertainment leisure venue to open in 2024 

Ocean Terminal has agreed a long-term lease with Level X, the gaming and immersive entertainment provider, which will see a new purpose-built, state-of-the-art leisure venue open at the centre next year.

With a vast range of activities on offer including bowling, minigolf, table tennis, karaoke, arcade games and a virtual reality arena, the new 29,000 sq ft venue will be adjacent to the ground floor entrance of Ocean Terminal, amalgamating nine units plus the mall space between them. 

The Ocean Terminal facility will be Level X’s second Scottish venue, further to the opening of Level X St Enoch in Glasgow in September 2022 – bringing the popular gaming hospitality model to life on Edinburgh’s waterfront. Level X also opened a venue in Middlesbrough earlier this year. 

Following the extension of the Edinburgh Tram network to Newhaven, Level X forms a part of Ocean Terminal’s major redevelopment as a town centre for the local community.

Ocean Terminal’s £250 million masterplan will see the centre reconfigured, alongside new homes and public realm to maximise its unique waterfront location and fulfil local aspirations for 20-minute neighbourhoods.  

Tim Wilks, founder at Level X said: “Level X is all about merging the games you loved as a kid with cool tech elements to elevate the experience.

“We have been all over the world looking for the latest and best games, with a particular focus on tech, that will be showcased perfectly within the venue. The fit-out will be fantastic, with lots of colour, different zones, and huge attention to detail.

“We’re really looking forward to bringing Level X to Ocean Terminal – it’s a mind-bending concept, mixing virtual and real-world experiences. Level X is the future of entertainment today.” 

Chris Richardson, Managing Director of Ambassador Investment Management, the Scottish owner of Ocean Terminal, commented: “Level X embodies a new approach to entertainment by combining gaming and hospitality, creating an exciting, fun and unique offer that is enjoyed by families and adults alike.

“We are delighted to welcome Level X to Ocean Terminal as part of our major redevelopment and reimagining of the centre.

“Level X’s long-term commitment to Ocean Terminal is a huge vote of confidence for our future as a town centre for the local community – combining attractive leisure options with hospitality, shopping and community amenities.”

Donald Syme, Asset Manager, who acted for Ocean Terminal, added: “Leith is undergoing a huge regeneration and Ocean Terminal’s redevelopment is right at the centre of that.

“We’re excited to work with the team at Level X to open their second Scottish venue and make it as much of a success in Leith as it has been elsewhere in the UK.”

NHS Job Information Sessions at Muirhouse Millennium Centre

Join us for the NHS Facilities Information Event, where you can meet some of the hiring managers from various departments.

The event will be held on Wednesday 6 December 2023 and is your chance to discover a range of roles available within NHS Facilities.

We look forward to seeing you there. Please note you must have tickets for the event as we are limited to how many people we can accommodate at each session.

You can book your place here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/763393429297…

Winter Warmer: Community event at Royston Wardieburn

Winter Warmer Community Event at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre

Wednesday 29th November

Tea/coffee available from 9:15am

9:30am – 12noon – Information and advice stalls

Activities

Nearly new clothes, toys and books

Raffle

12noon – 1pm – Community lunch

Granton Community Gardeners become local landowners!

IT’S OFFICAL: We now own our Community Garden at 10 Wardieburn Road!

Our Community Asset Transfer is now complete, and we received money from the Scottish Land Fund (Scottish Government) to help enable us to purchase the land from the Council. The process has taken a wee while, but now it’s done. Thanks to everyone who’s helped along the way!

As a local community charity, we’re aiming to benefit our community as much as we can, and you’re all invited to get involved – and anyone living within our defined local area who supports our aims can become a voting member!

Today (and every Wednesday) there’s a free community lunch open to all at 2pm.

Wednesday Gardening club is an open drop-in session every week 1-3pm (winter hours).

And there’s women’s outdoor cooking club 12-2pm (with Pilton Community Health Project)

There are also other regular groups through the week even through the Winter:

Weds mornings: Wee Steps run by Stepping Stones North Edinburgh (parents/carers and under 5s)

Thurs mornings: Play Together Outdoor Adventures, with Pilton Community Health Project and Trees and Seas Outdoor Adventures (mums and under 5s)

Friday mornings: Women’s Woodwork, with Pilton Community Health Project and The Edinburgh Tool Library

For more information on our Asset Transfer, see: https://www.grantoncommunitygardeners.org/community-asset…

Pictured: Our Harvest Festival back in September

Sight Loss charities slam City of Edinburgh Council for ‘blindly ignoring deathtrap junction’

LOCAL BLACKHALL JUNCTION POSES ‘MAJOR RISK’

Sight Scotland, and Sight Scotland Veterans, have slammed a busy Edinburgh junction describing it as hazardous and inaccessible for blind and partially sighted people.

The junction between Telford Road, Hillhouse Road and Strachan Road is one of the busiest in the capital, but the pedestrian crossing facilities are not fit for purpose.

Representatives from both sight loss charities recently met with the city of Edinburgh Council to discuss this junction and were astonished to find out that it had been REMOVED (demoted) from the Council’s list of upgrades.

Caroline Hedley, a Rehabilitation and Mobility Worker with Sight Scotland, explains: “This junction poses a major risk to anybody with visual impairment, and we are extremely worried that it will take a serious accident before any action is taken.

“Due to the complicated layout of the crossings, the poor pedestrian crossing facilities and the heavy fast-moving traffic, it is dangerous and inaccessible to most blind and partially sighted people.

“The pedestrian crossings do not have audible signals or revolving cones, and some are in need of basic repair. Also, there are few protective barriers at this junction which makes me as a sighted person feel very vulnerable, so I can’t imagine how someone with vision impairment would feel. Strachan Road simply has no pedestrian crossing facility at all.

“As part of my job, I help blind and partially sighted people with their mobility, both indoor and out. We help them plan routes when going out, looking at hazards, and trying to ensure they know how to navigate the safest way to go if they have a medial appointment, for example, or just want to go to the shops.

“The biggest priority with a mobility assessment is safety. I have clients living close to this junction and I need to explain to them that the safest way to cross these roads is with sighted assistance, and this is absolutely essential for people who cannot see the red and green man. 

“What makes matters worse is that Blackhall Medical Centre is located on the Hillhouse Road side of the junction.”

Craig Spalding, Chief Executive of Sight Scotland, and Sight Scotland Veterans, adds: “We are calling on the city of Edinburgh Council to upgrade this junction now before a serious accident occurs.

“How this junction has been taken off the upgrades list is beyond me; it is highly dangerous if not impossible for blind and partially sighted people to cross these roads independently.

“Poor crossing facilities like these could mean a person is more likely to stay at home, reducing their opportunity to move around in their home area. When a person’s mobility is impacted in this way, there is a knock-on effect both physically and mentally.”

Local Inverleith Councillor Hal Osler comments: “When designing public spaces we need to think about the safety and accessibility for those most at risk; if we do this, it benefits us all.

“Unfortunately in Edinburgh we have too many junctions and crossings where the safety and accessibility of pedestrians was not considered as a design priority. It’s utterly shameful that this junction was removed from the list of upgrades and as a councillor I am appalled at the lack of thought for our most vulnerable pedestrians.

“If we truly believe in the importance of safe active travel, and that pedestrians are top of the transport hierarchy, this needs to change.”

Sight Scotland, and Sight Scotland Veterans, are asking people to join their campaign to get the city of Edinburgh Council to upgrade the crossing at Strachan Road, Hillhouse Road and Telford Road in Edinburgh.

Please follow this link to write to your local Councillor calling for the junction to be upgraded urgently: https://sightscotland.eaction.org.uk/Fix-Deathtrap-Junction

Stories and Scran!

WINTER WARMER EVENT at WEST PILTON NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE

Citizen Winter Warmer: Stories and Scran at North Edinburgh Arts

Saturday 2 December at 3pm

West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre

£5/£3 (Concession/NEA Members) including an afternoon tea

Come along to this special community celebration bringing together local voices with authors and artists from across Scotland.

Savour a sumptuous afternoon-tea provided by the Scran Academy (included with your ticket) and hear brilliant new writing from local people who have taken part in Edinburgh International Book Festival‘s ‘Citizen’ alongside special guests including Kate Forster and Doug Johnstone.

This year’s event showcases the diverse voices and creative talent from local groups including a film from the North Edinburgh Drama Group and the Book Festival’s own Adults Writing Group.

Don’t miss the event and book your tickets at:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/751709632747…

Record wage boost for nearly 3 million workers from next April

  • Biggest ever increase to the National Living Wage, worth over £1,800 a year for a full-time worker, fulfils manifesto pledge to end low pay.
  • Since 2010 the National Living Wage will have doubled in cash terms from around £10,500 to nearly £21,000 a year for a full-time worker.
  • For the first time, 21-year-olds on the National Living Wage will always earn two-thirds of average earnings.

The Chancellor will deliver a pay rise of more than £1,800 a year for a full-time worker, as he confirms that the National Living Wage will increase by over a pound an hour from April.

The almost 10% pay boost, from £10.42 to £11.44 an hour, is the biggest cash increase in the National Living Wage in more than a decade and fulfils the government’s manifesto pledge to end low pay for those on the National Living Wage.  

Eligibility for the National Living Wage will also be extended by reducing the age threshold to 21-year-olds for the first time.  A 21-year-old will get a 12.4% increase, from £10.18 this year to £11.44 next year, worth almost £2,300 a year for a full-time worker. 

National Minimum wage rates for younger workers will also increase. 18-20-year-olds will also get a wage boost to £8.60 per hour – a rise of £1.11.

The Department for Business and Trade estimate 2.7 million workers will directly benefit from the 2024 National Living Wage increase.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said: “Next April all full-time workers on the National Living Wage will get a pay rise of over £1,800 a year. That will end low pay in this country, delivering on our manifesto promise.

“The National Living Wage has helped halve the number of people on low pay since 2010, making sure work always pays.”

The minimum hourly wage for an apprentice is boosted next year, with an 18-year-old apprentice in an industry like construction seeing their minimum hourly pay increase by over 20%, going from £5.28 to £6.40 an hour.  

The National Living Wage was introduced in 2016 and currently sets the minimum hourly pay a person over the age of 23 earns when working. The new rate will now apply to 21- and 22-year-olds, and means that the government has met its ambitious target of lifting the National Living Wage to two-thirds of median earnings by 2024, ending low hourly pay for those on the National Living Wage.  

Since 2010, the proportion of workers on low hourly pay has more than halved from 21.3% to 8.9%, supported by increases to the National Living Wage. Personal tax thresholds have been doubled, meaning a working person can now earn £1,000 a month tax-free for the first time.  

Bryan Sanderson, Low Pay Commission Chair, said: “The National Living Wage has delivered an improved standard of living to thousands of people who care for our children and elderly, work in farms and shops and at many other essential jobs.

“These efforts over the lifetime of the NLW mean over £9,000 p.a. more to a full time worker without any increase in unemployment.

“This hasn’t been easy for employers, with the economy facing a range of unprecedented challenges in recent years. The high degree of political and economic uncertainty has made assessing and forecasting the performance of the economy, and therefore our task, very difficult. It is a tribute to my fellow Commissioners that we have continued to achieve consensus.

“Our new recommendation of a National Living Wage of £11.44 attempts to steer a path through this uncertainty and achieve the government target of two-thirds of the median wage, an outcome which if accepted would position the U.K. at the forefront of comparable economies.”

Getting more people into work and ensuring work pays is ‘a priority for the UK government’. The Chancellor will set out further measures in today’s Autumn Statement.

Holyrood votes for immediate Gaza ceasefire

FIRST MINISTER CALLS FOR RECOGNITION OF STATE OF PALESTINE

MSPs have voted in favour of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas, following a debate in the Scottish Parliament.

Opening the debate, First Minister Humza Yousaf said the chamber was unified in resolute condemnation of Hamas’ abhorrent terrorist attacks and the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.

This followed a letter sent by the First Minister to the Prime Minister and Sir Keir Starmer this morning, calling for the UK to officially recognise the State of Palestine in order to break the political impasse that has condemned Israelis and Palestinians to successive cycles of violence.

The First Minister said: “In Scotland, the Muslim and Jewish communities have enjoyed decades of friendship, decades of shared humanity and faith. Nowhere is that more evident than in East Renfrewshire, home of Scotland’s largest Jewish community, and a significant Muslim population too, who have lived side-by-side in harmony for many years.

“But we cannot be complacent. We must all be proactive in rooting out any hint of Islamophobia or antisemitism wherever it occurs. Presiding Officer, even though it feels impossible to look past the current horrors of war, we must ensure that this perpetual cycle of violence that we see occur far too often finally ends, once and for all, in a peaceful resolution.

“To that end, there must be a renewed, and serious international effort towards a two-state solution. Israeli and Palestinian states that can co-exist in safety, security and with equal rights for each of its citizens.

“Unfortunately, the world has not kept its promise to the Palestinian people. They have not been given a free sovereign state, along the 1967 borders, as they were promised. Quite the opposite.

“The continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank is not only illegal but works against a peaceful resolution. So it is simply not enough anymore to pay lip-service to a two-state solution, we must take steps to turn that into a reality.

“To that end, I have written to the Prime Minister, and to Sir Keir Starmer, and urged them to immediately take steps to ensure the UK recognises the State of Palestine. It is only with full recognition of Palestine, as a State in its own right, that we can truly move forward towards a two-state solution.

“To conclude, Presiding Officer, to prevent further deaths, the bombs, the rockets – they must stop. The Scottish Government continues to call for an immediate ceasefire, for the safe release of all hostages, for an end to the killing of innocent civilians in Gaza, for an end to the siege of Gaza, and for all parties to abide by international law.

“The UK government and the international community must use their influence to prevent the further loss of innocent life. Every child the world over deserves to grow old. The children of Gaza and Israel deserve nothing less. It is our moral obligation to act. Let us hope even in these, the darkest of times, that humanity prevails.”

Gaza and Israel debate: First Minister’s Speech

UK urged to use influence to end violence in Gaza  

First Minister Humza Yousaf has written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calling for the United Kingdom to officially recognise the State of Palestine to break the political impasse that has condemned Israelis and the Palestinians to successive cycles of violence.

The FM’s appeal came on the day Scotland’s MSPs voted in favour of ceasefire in Palestine.

The letter, sent ahead of a debate on the situation in the Middle East in the Scottish Parliament yesterday, has also been sent to the Leader of the Opposition in the UK Parliament Sir Keir Starmer.

The First Minister later opened the Holyrood debate on a Government motion which condemned the Hamas atrocities on 7 October, called for the release of the hostages and for all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire.

First Minister letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

First Minister letter to the Leader of the Opposition in the UK Parliament Sir Keir Starmer

RoSPA: Control your speed to save lives this season

Reduce your speed to save lives, that’s the message from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) as we head into some of the darkest months of the year.

The most recent Department for Transport (DfT) data revealed that in 2022, there were around 40,000 people injured on our roads during hours of darkness. This included 8,780 people who were seriously injured, and 737 who sadly died.

Rebecca Guy, Road Safety Manager, said: “This time of year sees a worrying combination of darker skies and poor weather conditions, which can pose unique risks to motorists and pedestrians and cyclists – these risks are amplified if someone is speeding.

“Higher speeds mean that drivers have less time to identify and react to what is happening around them, and it takes longer for the vehicle to stop, removes the driver’s safety margin and turns near misses into collisions.

“Driving at 30mph, vehicles are travelling at around three car lengths a second – one blink and the driver may fail to see the early warning brake lights; a short glance away and the movement of a child behind a parked car could be missed[i].

“With that in mind, and the poor visibility this season poses, it’s clear to see the tragic consequences speeding could have.”

RoSPA advises the following when driving in darker periods of the day:

Be prepared: As the UK experiences shorter days and longer nights, it is crucial for motorists to adjust their driving habits. The decreased visibility during early mornings and evenings demands heightened caution. RoSPA urges drivers to use dipped headlights, ensure clean windshields, and to be extra cautious when navigating poorly lit roads.

Control your speed: Darkness amplifies the risks associated with speeding. The lack of visibility, compounded by higher speeds, can lead to devastating collisions. The DfT reports that in 2022, exceeding the speed limit was deemed a contributory factor for 19% of all fatal collisions. In 9 per cent of fatal collisions, driving too fast for the conditions was deemed a contributory factor[ii]. RoSPA emphasises that adhering to speed limits and driving to the conditions is paramount, especially when daylight hours are limited.

Rebecca Guy continues: “If you must travel in the dark, I suggest leaving ample time for the journey, ensuring you can travel within the speed limit, and maintain a safe distance behind other road users.

“As we age, our ability to adapt to changing light reduces, which impacts how we see colours and contrasts in low-light conditions. It also takes longer for the eyes to recover from glare – from one second at age 15, to nine seconds at 65.”

Experiential Christmas Gifting: Weekend  Woodworking Courses

The Chippendale International  School of Furniture’s weekend woodworking courses are the  perfect choice for those seeking a unique and experiential  gift this Christmas. 

Our weekend spoon carving and woodturning courses offer an  ideal introduction to woodworking for the craft-obsessed,  located just 30 mins outside Edinburgh in the beautiful East  Lothian countryside.  

Consumers increasingly value meaningful experiences over  material possessions, with recent statistics indicating that  33% of consumers plan to treat their friends and family with  memorable experiences in 2023 (KPMG). 

Perfect for a DIY-mad partner or crafty parent who has it all,  these courses offer a one-of-a-kind gift that will leave  memories that last a lifetime – and maybe even inspire a new  hobby!  

Where: 

The Chippendale International School of Furniture, Gifford,  East Lothian, EH41 4JA 

What: 

Weekend woodturning course: A fun and informative course  designed for those who want to dip their toe into the world of  woodworking! Students will learn the basics of woodturning and  joinery, and will create a small stool/plant stand over the  two days.

Weekend spoon carving course: Louise Forbes’ renowned spoon  carving classes are the perfect quirky gift for a DIY  enthusiast! Students will carve a small salt spoon and coffee  scoop, plus salad servers or alternative spoon of their choice  over the two days. 

All tools and materials are supplied on both courses. 

Cost: 

Weekend Spoon Carving Course: £295 

Weekend Woodturning Course: £400 

Book here:  

https://chippendaleschool.com/furniture-making courses/weekend-courses/