Cinnabon® is now able to confirm the launch date for its first Scottish outlet. We are counting down the days to Friday 26th July at The Centre, Livingston. Get there early to avoid the queues!
Visitors to the shopping centre will see branded hoarding appear from 8th July as the Cinnabon® team works its magic to transform the area to a paradise of Cinnabon’s Ooey-Gooey® goodness and the smell of warm cinnamon and frosting.
Dan Smith, Brand Manager for Cinnabon, is delighted to confirm the first of several openings across Scotland: “It certainly has been difficult keeping this launch a secret, with many people across press and social media guessing that Livingston will be Cinnabon’s first store in Scotland.
“To say we’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response is an understatement and reinforces our decision to open at The Centre, Livingston on Friday 26th July.
“We have a lot of fans in Scotland, and they have been asking us to open here, and now we’ve delivered! We’ll be there a few days earlier with the Cinnabon® bus so anyone who can’t wait to get their hands on our famous Bons, should head over to The Centre, Livingston to get a taster.”
With a promise of several more outlets over the coming months, Scotland is going to be awash in frosting from the famous American bakery chain and customers can look forward to a full selection of freshly baked Bons, including the Classic Cinnabon®, ChocoBon, Caramel PecanBon, as well as the official Biscoff Bon, and Choco bon made with OREO.
In addition, Cinnafans will be able to indulge in the latest Chillattas, the infamous homemade lemonades and a selection of premium hot drinks.
Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston commented: “We are truly delighted to welcome Cinnabon®, and already, there’s been so much excitement just from our team here at The Centre.
“Our customers will be thrilled to hear that Livingston is confirmed as the first opening on the 26th July and we’re expecting big queues!”
If you have yet to discover Cinnabon® check out the website for more information on,
Cinnabon® Classic – The world-famous cinnamon roll is made with a combination of warm dough, legendary Makara cinnamon, and signature frosting for a freshly baked, irresistible sweet treat.
PecanBon – The signature Classic Roll, topped with decadent caramel frosting and pecans for the perfect crunch.
Biscoff Bon – The signature Classic Roll, generously coated in Biscoff spread and garnished with their signature biscuit.
Choco bon made with OREO – Delicious ChocoBon, topped with frosting then fused together with chocolate sauce and topped with OREO crumbs and a delicious OREO biscuit.
Chillatta- The coolest way to enjoy a Cinnabon®. This blended frozen masterpiece comes in a variety of flavours.
And if you can’t wait for the Livingston store to open, you can still get your fix online at www.cinnabon.uk
The Edinburgh International Book Festival has revealed details of its full industry programme for 2024.
Unfolding for the first time at the Festival’s new home at Edinburgh Futures Institute, the three-day strand will be packed with panels, showcases and networking events aimed at writers, publishing professionals, programmers, and anyone curious to learn more about the book industry.
The strand kicks off on Wednesday 14 August with Global Ink, the Festival’s dedicated international industry day. Bringing together trade professionals from Scotland, the UK, and beyond, the day will begin with Trends in Global Literature: What’s Next? Run in partnership with the Global Association of Literary Festivals, literary experts and Festival Directors from across the globe will discuss the emerging trends shaping the world of literature today.
There will be insightful contributionsfrom a panel of leading global experts including Literary Curator and Agent Zoe Xie from China, Newcastle Writers Festival Director Rosemarie Milson from Australia, Macodno Literary Festival Director Anja Bengelstdorff from Kenya, and Douglas Resende, Institutional Relations Coordinator from Brazil.
Later in the day audiences can enjoy From Page to Global Stage, offering fascinating insights into the world of literature in translation chaired by writer and translator Daniel Hahn. Korean writer and Booker International shortlisted translator Anton Hur will be joined by Andrea Joyce, Rights Director for Jenny Brown Associates, and Sam McDowell, an Edinburgh-based publisher specialising in translating Latin American fiction into English. Together, they will uncover the journey of translated works and share their insights on enhancing this sector, addressing current challenges, and exploring barriers to the wider proliferation of translated literature.
Audiences can also browse the Translation Pavilion – run in partnership with Waterstones and Publishing Scotland, this dedicated display will showcase the best of literature in translation. Attendees can discover Scottish authors and current UK titles published in a variety of languages alongside English translations of both established and debut international writers.
Global Ink will round off with its Connecting Cultures event, a showcase discussion on the power of international partnerships, chaired by the Book Festival’s Director, Jenny Niven. The event will feature contributions from Moniack Mhor Director Rachel Humphries, leading author Kirsty Logan, British Council’s Literature Programme Manager Matt Beavers, and Sharmilla Beezmohun, Co-founder of Speaking Volumes Live Literature Productions.
Following this, the day will culminate with the Global Ink Social, a relaxed gathering to reflect on the day’s insights and network with fellow attendees and international partners over drinks.
On Monday 19 August the Festival hosts Book Talk: Industry Insights for Writers, a day of industry events dedicated to offering insight for early-career writers, from getting published to building a sustainable career as a writer. Anatomy of an Industry will see leading names offer an introduction to the key roles and responsibilities in publishing, including Anna Frame, Communications Director at Canongate, and Emma Paterson, Literary Agent at Aitken Alexander Associates.
You Heard it Here First:Writing for Anthologies will open the book on Scotland’s thriving indie publishing scene, with discussion chaired by Heather Parry, author and co-founder of literary magazine Extra Teeth, and featuring voices from three leading anthologies and magazines: Charlie Brinkurst-Cuff (Black Joy), Malachy Tallack (Gutter Magazine), and Andrew Wilson (Nova Scotia 2: New Speculative Fiction from Scotland).
The day will also feature Literary Lifelines, an event about making the most of funding opportunities and building a sustainable living as a writer, chaired by Laura Waddell, with contributions from Culture Ireland’s Sharon Barry, Creative Scotland’s Alan Bett, and Oriana Leckert, Director of Publishing & Comics Outreach at Kickstarter.
The industry strand concludes on Wednesday 21 August with Book Talk: Perspectives in Publishing, a day of talks and panels aimed at publishing professionals, delving into some of the talking points dominating the industry, from rethinking accessibility to the unstoppable rise of AI.
Creativity in an Inflexible World offers insight into the questions of accessible publishing, with contributors including Vidisha Biswas of Footnote Press and Caro Clarke of Portobello Literary.
This event will also be available to livestream for remote audiences on a pay-what-you-can basis. Another session sees a panel of experts discussing the potential earthquakes that emerging technologies and AI might set off in the publishing world, and how best to champion human agency in a changing world.
The panel will feature contributions from Deputy CEO of the Publishers Association, Catriona Stevenson, who has been involved in steering an industry-wide AI Taskforce, and Dr Pip Thornton of the University of Edinburgh, who has been devising radical AI interventions as part of the Writing the Wrongs of AI Project.
And Shifting the Dial: Prizes with Purpose delves into the world of literary prizes, with discussions on how to deepen their impact and secure their future with speakers from the Women’s Prize Trust and New Writing North.
Lilidh Kendrick, Programme Manager, and Kate Seiler, External Affairs Manager: “The Book Festival will welcome over 500 authors to its stages in 2024, and our industry strand – scaled up to comprise ten events over three days – is an exciting opportunity to turn the spotlight on the people behind the books. This is a space to forge creative connections; and to pause, reflect, and act on the talking points shaping the industry, both at home and internationally.
“In a nod to our Festival theme Future Tense, we are proud to be welcoming a host of talented industry professionals to share their perspectives on what the future holds for the book world. We’re delighted to be supporting the professional development of writers at different stages in their careers, and want to give thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery for making this possible.”
Foysol Choudhury, Labour list MSP for Lothian Region, has been contacted by businesses, residents, and visitors in Leith regarding the escalating issue of anti-social behavior at the Foot of the Walk in Leith.
In response, Mr Choudhury organised an urgent community meeting with Leith Labour Councillor Katrina Faccenda, Police Scotland and local businesses from the Newkirkgate Shopping Centre.
Mr Choudhury has visited the location multiple times, witnessing the anti-social behaviour and criminal activity, which local businesses report as a daily occurrence.
Reports indicate that the behavior, centred around the benches in front of the shopping centre, includes assaults, drug use and the presence of weapons.
After the community meeting, Mr. Choudhury said: “The message from local businesses is clear — urgent action is needed before things deteriorate.
“The cry from local businesses here is clear – urgent action must be taken surrounding the behaviour on these benches outside Newkirkgate Shopping Centre.
“Workers should not have to battle thefts, discarded needles and assaults on a daily basis and members of the public should not have to face intimidation and harassment whilst just trying to pick up their shopping and prescriptions.
“I’ve been liaising with local businesses to hear their concerns and alongside my colleague Cllr Faccenda, we will be pushing for actions which could deter and tackle this behaviour.
“Police Scotland have also been very helpful in providing visibility in the area and suggestions of how we can tackle these incidents.
“I’ve already raised this issue via multiple channels and will continue to do so – by working together and by developing partnerships, I hope we can improve this situation for the local community.”
One of Musselburgh Racecourse’s most popular family events returns on Tuesday (23 JUL) with the Luca’s Ice Cream Family Raceday.
On the turf seven competitive Flat races will keep the adults on their toes but off the track a whole host of fun activities will entertain younger family members.
Gates open at noon and one hour before the first race (provisionally scheduled for 2.15pm) the next generation of jockeys will compete in pony races, while a dedicated Clip Clop zone offers free fairground rides for all ages and free face painting.
Hosted with support of Honest Toun ice cream producer Luca, each child will receive a free ice cream – more than 1,200 were handed out last year.
The day will also feature the Mini Queen’s Cup which will see 5 year olds take to the track on happy hopper inflatables.
Musselburgh Racecourse’s Head of Marketing, Aisling Johnston, said: “We know the kids love to dance so we have organised a kid’s disco which will take place in between the racing throughout the day.
“For the pony loving children or those youngsters who want to try their hand at horse riding, we will also have free pony rides.”
Two of Australia’s favourite furry TV pups will also make a popular return to the East Lothian track to say “g’day” to young racegoers.
Aisling added: “Luca’s Ice Cream have kindly donated one free ice cream per child, and with free entry for children aged 17 years and under when accompanied by an adult, it really is the perfect day out for all the family.”
Gates open at noon on Tuesday, first race is scheduled for 2.15pm and the last race at 5.20pm. A courtesy bus from Wallyford and Newcraighall rail stations will take racegoers to and from the racecourse.
The British Dental Association Scotland has stressed that there can be no complacency over the future of NHS dentistry, following the first evidence from frontline dentists since the Scottish Government’s reforms rolled out in November last year.
A new poll of high street dentists shows:
While two thirds (66%) of respondents say the new system represents an improvement on the previous model, 9 in 10 (88%) say this cannot be the final destination for NHS dentistry.
Only 22% say the new system enables a move to a preventive model of dentistry. Only 7% believe it will enhance access for NHS patients, and just 5% say it will support a reduction in oral health inequality.
26% feel changes have made their practices more financially sustainable. 31% disagree. Nearly half have not formed an opinion.
34% agreed reforms met the Scottish Government’s goal of increasing clinical freedom, while 38% disagreed. On reducing bureaucracy, respondents were tied for and against on 38%.
Just over a year ago the BDA’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee and the Scottish Government entered formal negotiations on the new fee structure and Payment Reform. This moved at pace within a challenging fiscal environment. The previous funding model was unsustainable, as surging costs had left dental practices delivering some NHS care at a financial loss.
In an open letter to the Scottish Government the BDA stress the Scottish Government must show it is willing to build on these reforms, and to double down on policies to ease the workforce crisis in the NHS.
David McColl, Chair of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee, said:“Given the critical place dental services were at this verdict is welcome news, but there is absolutely no room for complacency.
“Dentists have seen improvements, but have told us reform falls short on access, inequalities and prevention. Changes might make some practices more sustainable today, but they do not provide the foundations for a 21st century service.
“The Scottish Government has set goals on improving access and sustainability. These promises must be kept.
“Scotland cannot have NHS dentistry without NHS dentists – and this service must be a place which can recruit and retain talent.”
Online survey of Scottish General Dental Practitioners, February-April 2024, 229 respondents:
Please indicate your agreement or disagreement to following statements
1. The new system means the practice I work in is better able to remain financially sustainable
Strongly agree 3%
Agree 23%
Neither agree nor disagree 27%
Disagree 21%
Strongly disagree 10%
Don’t know/not applicable 15%
Net Agree 26%
Net disagree 31%
2. The new system represents an improvement on the previous payment model
Expanded support to close the gender gap and attract the next generation of entrepreneurs
Up to £2.6 million is being invested in initiatives to make it easier for women and people from all backgrounds to start a business.
They include a pilot programme, launching initially in the South of Scotland, which will fund specialist enterprise coaches to provide a range of tailored advice and guidance to help individuals – particularly women and other under-represented groups – kick-start their business ideas.
Grants of up to £1,000 will be available to give practical help to turning business concepts into a reality.
The pilot will be delivered by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) and run alongside a new Scottish Government-administered Pathways Fund to support entrepreneurial activity across Scotland. This builds on last year’s successful Pathways Pre-Start Fund and will provide support, mentoring and advice services for people starting a company or seeking to expand a fledging business. Groups currently under-represented in the start-up community, including women, will be particularly targeted.
The two projects are to receive a total of up to £2.6 million funding this financial year and form part of the Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment to delivering the recommendations of the Pathways report on under-representation of women in entrepreneurship.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “Economic growth is one of the key priorities of the Scottish Government. Scotland has all the ingredients to be one of Europe’s fastest-growing start-up economies: an economy that is strong, successful and dynamic.
“Entrepreneurship is at the heart of a healthy, vibrant and growing economy. I am clear that the Scottish Government will play a prominent role in helping build the end-to-end support our start-up business community has to develop and grow.
“This expanded package of support for entrepreneurs at the start of their journey continues our drive to ensure everyone, from every walk of life, is given the right support and encouragement to make their business idea a reality.”
Chief Executive of SOSE Jane Morrison-Ross said: “We are absolutely delighted to be delivering the Pathways Pre-Start pilot across the South of Scotland.
“It is a region of entrepreneurs and the Pathways pilot will be key to delivering our vision for a wellbeing and inclusive economy and accelerating the fantastic entrepreneurial pathway work our Innovation and Entrepreneurship team are already doing.
“This work can now be supercharged and will be critical for economic growth, as we will be able to tap into the potential the South of Scotland has to become a rural economic powerhouse.
“During the pilot, our new enterprise coaches will focus on pre-start up stage, and support individuals to realise their entrepreneurial potential and guide them to the next stages of business whilst helping with the development of an entrepreneurial mindset. We would urge all budding entrepreneurs who want to be part of the programme to watch this space.”
Entrepreneur and Investor Ana Stewart, author of the Pathways report on under-representation of women in entrepreneurship, said: “If Scotland is really serious about building a richer, deeper and healthier entrepreneurial economy, we must widen the funnel beyond existing routes to encourage more people to set up and scale their businesses, as opposed to sticking with existing structures and systems; systems we know are not currently reaching a large majority of the population.
“Whilst there is still much more to do to achieve equal access to entrepreneurship, it’s encouraging to see the launch of the SOSE pre-start pilot in tandem with the creation of the light-touch, micro-grant funding, giving would-be founders the best chance of successfully navigating their very first steps into entrepreneurship.”
Two men have been convicted of the rape and murder of a 24-year-old man in Fife that happened in November 2021.
Dylan Brister, aged 27, and Cameron Allan (pictured below), aged 20, were found guilty yesterday (Friday, 19 July, 2024), following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh. They will be sentenced on a later date.
The body of Calum Simpson was found within a property on Herriot Crescent in Methil on 3 November, 2021.
He had been drugged and subjected to a serious sexual assault. Enquiries were carried out and the two men were arrested and charged in connection with the assault and his death.
Detective Inspector Scott Roxburgh, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “Our thoughts are very much with Calum’s family and friends and I hope that the conviction brings them some kind of closure.
“This was a particularly horrific and sickening attack on a young man who died after being drugged and sexually attacked. Both men will now face the consequences of their actions.
“I would like to thank officers who carried out enquiries as this was a complex and harrowing investigation.
“Violence has no place in our communities and Police Scotland is committed to bringing those responsible for such crimes to justice.”
Voters are calling out for a significant boost to workers’ rights, post-election polling conducted for the TUC has found
Labour’s historic election win came off the back of UK voters overwhelmingly feeling that things were getting worse.
Whether it was the economy, the NHS, public services or personal finances, people felt things were going the wrong way
For 14 years a succession of Conservative governments put workers’ rights in reverse, making it harder for people to secure decent pay and conditions.
While the number of workers in insecure work soared to 4.1m, the Tories brought in punitive trade union laws, introduced tribunal fees and doubled the qualifying period for unfair dismissal protection.
This led to a huge 63% of the electorate feeling that the Conservative party was no longer on the side of working people.
What is coming over the horizon is Labour’s positive New Deal for working people, an ambitious set of reforms that would transform the lives of all working people.
A poll of 3,000 voters commissioned by the TUC shows huge backing across the political spectrum for improving protections at work and for the fundamental policies that underpin Labour’s New Deal for working people.
The polling reveals what voters thought about Labour’s key employment right policies:
Implementing a real living wage: Three-quarters (77%) of 2024 voters support Labour’s commitment to ensure that the national minimum wage rises to be a real living wage.
Strengthening unfair dismissal: Nearly 2 in 3 (64%) of all 2024 election voters support the day one right to protection from unfair dismissal.
Making sick pay a day 1 right: Nearly 7 in 10 voters (69%) back Labour’s plan to make statutory sick pay available from the first day of sickness.
Ban on fire and rehire: Two-thirds (66%) of voters support a ban on fire and rehire.
Ban on zero hours contracts: Nearly 7 in 10 (67%) voters support banning zero-hours contracts by offering all workers a contract that reflects their normal hours of work and compensation for cancelled shifts.
And there is majority support for collective rights too, including:
Union access to workplaces: 2024 voters by a margin over two to one (46% in favour, 19% against) support giving trade unions a right to access workplaces to tell workers about the benefits of joining a trade union.
Voters across the political spectrum want work to pay and to feel secure and respected in their jobs. Labour’s workers’ rights plans are hugely popular, and this poll should give ministers confidence to get on with delivering them in full.
Working people want a government that is on their side and that will improve the quality of work in this country. After 14 years of stagnating living standards, the UK needs to turn the page on our low-rights, low-pay economy that has allowed good employers to be undercut by the bad.
Trade union campaigns and ideas formed the bedrock of the New Deal for working people. Trade unions will be working flat out with the new government to see these commitments come to fruition.
Inflationary pressures and cuts in real pay in many sectors have continued to trigger disputes across the public and private sectors in the last year according to workplace expert, Acas, in its latest annual report.
The new annual report covers the period from 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2024.
Acas Chair, Clare Chapman, said: “It has been another exceptionally demanding year for Acas and our staff have worked hard to help spread good work practice and resolve conflict in a challenging economic climate.
“The past 12 months have seen continuing inflationary pressures and a cut in real pay across the economy that are key drivers for collective disputes. Acas experts handled more than 600 of these disputes over the past year and resolved 94% of them.
“Our individual dispute resolution service also performed very strongly and helped to prevent costly and distressing court action for tens of thousands of employers and employees.
“The service dealt with over 100,000 cases during the year and over one million in the last decade. These successes have benefitted businesses and workers across Britain.”
Key facts and figures from this year’s annual report, include:
Acas was involved in 618 collective disputes between employers and groups of workers with a settlement rate of 94%. Pay was the leading cause of the disputes.
The individual dispute resolution service at Acas, which helps to resolve potential employment tribunal claims, dealt with 104,884 notifications for ‘early conciliation’. Seven out of 10 cases avoided the need for an employment tribunal. Wages were the top cause of conflict, followed by unfair dismissal and disability discrimination.
The Acas website continues to be popular for employers and employees seeking advice on workplace rights. Customers accessed its web pages 17.9 million times in 2023-24.
The Acas helpline answered 578,463 calls from employers and employees across Great Britain. Discipline, dismissal and grievance were the top topics for calls.
Acas trained over 40,000 people in good workplace practice. 93% of attendees said their course met their objectives.
Acas has made significant efficiencies in key service costs. The cost of handling a case in our collective and individual conciliation services has been reduced by 30% and 11% respectively.
A full copy of the 2023-2024 Acas Annual Report can be viewed here:
Use funding from adding VAT to private school fees to support pupils with additional support needs (ASN) in state schools
Concerns raised over impact of adding VAT for those with ASN, with increased movement of pupils into an under-resourced state sector
Near doubling in the number of pupils in state schools with additional support needs since 2013
The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist care and education to vulnerable children and young people, has called on the Scottish Government to use funding from adding VAT onto private school fees to increase support to those with ASN in state schools.
The UK Labour Government reiterated its manifesto commitment to increase VAT on school fees – at the standard rate of 20 per cent – in the recent King’s Speech. This could potentially boost Scottish Government education spend by £150 million (although it should be noted that this figure does not take account of pupils leaving the independent sector and thereby not contributing).
In addition, the SCSC has raised concerns over the impact that potential displacement of those with ASN from private schools into the state sector will have.
A high percentage of children in private education, estimated at around 9,000, have ASN, and many will have their learning disrupted, by being forced to leave their school, causing them significant problems.
Local authorities will also have to accommodate more pupils in already under-resourced schools and be required to increase funding to support these.
There has been a near doubling (96.8 per cent) between 2013 and 2023 in the number of pupils identified with ASN in state schools, from 131,593 to 259,036, amounting to 123,628 individuals. This includes those with mental health problems, learning disability, autism and dyslexia, and currentlyrepresents more than a third of all pupils (36.7 per cent).
However, this comes against a background of spending cuts and reductions in specialist support.
The Scottish Government’s annual teacher census, for example, indicates that between 2013 and 2023 the number of ASN teachers (publicly funded primary, secondary, special and centrally employed) has fallen from 3,290 to 2,898, a decrease of 392 teachers, representing a cut of 11.9 per cent.1
A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “We would urge that any additional funding that comes through adding VAT to private school fees is used to support those with ASN in our state schools, giving those who need it the care and support that they need, and supporting closing the educational attainment gap.
“However, we would urge caution when it comes to adding VAT on fees for those with ASN, as this will have a potential major impact.
“Many of these will be forced to leave school, with their learning disrupted and further exacerbating pressures on an already over-stretched state sector, which is having difficulty coping, and brings further costs to local authorities.
“Clarification is needed from the Scottish Government as to how it intends to address the issue of adding VAT to fees for those with pupils with ASN.”
1 Scottish Government, Pupil Census 2023 supplementary statistics, 19th March 2024, table 1.5.
