Tonight’s Morocco clash set to deliver £2.6m boost to Scottish Pubs

Scotland’s next World Cup clash is set to deliver a major boost to pubs across the country, with an estimated 520,000 extra pints expected to be sold for Friday night’s match against Morocco – worth around £2.6 million to the trade, analysis by the Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA). 

The forecast follows a strong showing for Scotland’s opening match against Haiti, which is estimated by the SBPA and Oxford Partnership to have driven sales of at least 380,000 extra pints, worth around £1.9 million to pubs and bars across Scotland.

While Scotland’s opening game against Haiti kicked off at 2am BST on Sunday morning, Friday’s match against Morocco starts at a far more pub-friendly 11pm BST, giving licensees a significantly better opportunity to benefit from the occasion.

Paul Togneri, from the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, said: “Scotland’s return to the World Cup has given pubs a much-needed welcome boost, with early indications suggesting at least 380,000 extra pints were sold for the Haiti game despite the 2am kick-off.

“It’s an incredible result following an incredible match.

“With Friday night’s clash against Morocco starting at a much more pub-friendly 11pm we expect an even bigger boost, with over half a million extra pints to be poured in pubs and bars across the country.

“That would be worth upwards of £2.6 million to the trade, which is hugely welcome for venues still battling high costs.

“If you can’t be in Boston, there’s no better place than the pub. We’d urge supporters to get down to their local, back the team and cheer Scotland on together.”

TODAY: Free Community BBQ at Empty Kitchens Full Hearts

TODAY’s community lunch … is our annual BBQ!

We are excited to share a delicious BBQ with you. Friday’s BBQ will include meat and vegetarian options, and Halal sausages, along with homemade salads and desserts.

In true Scottish fashion, we’ll be enjoying our BBQ rain or shine – with an indoor option should the rain arrive!

Please check the boards or ask our volunteers about allergens. And just a heads-up, our food is served until it runs out!

Do come along and enjoy. Thank you!

Four men charged after lorry crashed into house in Edinburgh

Four men have been arrested and charged in connection with culpable and reckless conduct following a police operation yesterday – Thursday, 18 June.

It follows an investigation into an incident on Tuesday, 26 May, 2026, when a lorry crashed into a house on Brand Drive in Edinburgh. No-one was injured in the incident.

In the early hours of Thursday morning, officers from various departments and policing divisions executed warrants across East Ayrshire.

Six properties were searched by police in the Kilmarnock and Darvel areas resulting in the arrests and seizure of items in connection with the incident.

The men, aged 24, 31, 39 and 41 are due to appear before Edinburgh Sheriff Court today – Friday, 19 June, 2026.

Detective Inspector Gavin Howat said: “Criminality affects the lives of local people on a daily basis. Operations such as these disrupt criminal activity as well as addressing the concerns raised by local people.

” I would like to reassure everyone that we will continue with our proactive, preventative approach to tackle crime and its associated impact.”

First Minister launches £36.9m fund to reduce drug and alcohol deaths

Three-year investment to support prevention, treatment and recovery across Scotland

First Minister John Swinney will today call for a new collective approach to reduce deaths and harms from drugs and alcohol, as he addresses a summit on drugs deaths in Edinburgh.

It comes as a new Alcohol and Drugs Fund, which will provide £36.9 million to frontline services and organisations working with people affected by alcohol and drugs, is launched. 

The summit, organised by Public Health Scotland, will bring together health board chief executives, local authority leaders, justice representatives and third-sector partners alongside people with experience of drug and alcohol use, including representatives from family organisations and recovery groups.

Speaking ahead of the event, the First Minister said: “This new fund will provide more than £36 million over the next three years, supporting prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery.

“It will reach organisations of all sizes – from grassroots groups to larger partnerships – with particular emphasis on improving support for children, young people, and families. I have heard from the third sector about the need for stability and longer-term support – this multi-year funding recognises that.

“We have increased residential rehab capacity, with funded placements now close to our 1,000 target, set new treatment standards, opened The Thistle – the UK’s first safer drug consumption facility – and improved surveillance of the most potent and dangerous drugs entering circulation.

“But it is clear we now require a different collective approach and we need to go further. I am determined we make the change and new ways of working needed – and I am focused on confronting the need for reform of how our public services deliver.

“I am clear there should be a ‘no wrong door’ approach. If someone needs help, our system should be easy and quick to navigate – wrapping around the person rather than making people fit into the system.”

The fund is open to third-sector organisations and public bodies working directly with people who use alcohol and drugs, people in recovery, and their children and families.

It supports delivery of the Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan 2026–35, a joint Scottish Government and COSLA initiative backed by more than £160 million in 2026–27, which sets out a 10-year approach to reducing deaths and harms caused by alcohol and drugs.

Corra Foundation Chief Executive Carolyn Sawers said: “It is a privilege for Corra to deliver this fund on behalf of the Scottish Government. High-quality support for people affected by drugs and alcohol is vital to collective efforts to reducing harms, realising rights and supporting recovery.

“Corra looks forward to working closely alongside people with lived and living experience of drugs and alcohol as we deliver this fund.”

Preventing Harm, Promoting Recovery: Scotland’s Alcohol & Drugs Strategic Plan 2026 – 2035

Spring Clean Scotland 2026: The results are in

Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves and did a litter pick as part of #SpringCleanScotland 2026.

The results are in:

– Scotland’s largest mass litter pick event

– 34,702 people involved

– 3,340 litter picks recorded

– 46,877 bags of litter removed from polluting our country

Barry Fisher, our Chief Executive, said: “I’d like to extend our gratitude to every person who has made an effort to clean up their part of Scotland – we all have a part to play and your activity is truly appreciated by us all.”

Check out the impact report and see if you can spot your litter pick photos:

spring-clean-report-2026-final-150626Download

https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/…/spring-clean…

Man sentenced following attempted murder in Lochend

A 31-year-old man has been sentenced to more than six years for attempted murder and other offences at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Lewis Burns pleaded guilty in May this year to assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and attempted murder.

It follows an investigation into an incident which occurred on Tuesday, 3 February, 2026, when police were called to a report of a collision involving a pedestrian and a vehicle on Lochend Drive.

Detective Inspector Gavin Howat said: “Burns deliberately drove at his victim not once but twice. He used his car as a weapon that day and he is now facing the consequences of his actions.

“I hope today’s outcome affords the victim a degree of justice as they continue to move forward with their life.”

Burns was also banned from driving for more than eight years. 

Fort Kinnaird reveals major expansion plans for new retail and leisure space

Shoppers and families could soon have even more reasons to visit Fort Kinnaird, as plans have been submitted for more than 42,500 sq ft of new retail and leisure space, creating more than 60 jobs for the local area.

If approved, the centre would welcome a new food store of c.19,750 sq ft on the ground floor, alongside c.22,785 sq ftof leisure space on the first floor, supporting the continued growth of the destination’s leisure quarter and enhancing the overall visitor experience.

The new building would be located alongside Fort Kinnaird’s established leisure and food offering, including ODEON cinema, Wagamama and Nando’s.

The announcement follows last year’s refurbishment of the Eastern Terrace, which saw more than 20,000 sq ft of retail space upgraded and welcomed new stores including Lush, Rituals and Clintons.

It builds on Fort Kinnaird’s position as one of the UK’s largest retail parks, extending across more than 560,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space in total.

Liam Smith, Centre Director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “This is a really exciting time for us. We have no doubt the new development, if approved, will prove exceptionally popular with our visitors. It will offer convenience for everyday shopping but also more choice when spending quality time with family and friends.

“Beyond that, we’re really proud this project will create over 60 new jobs in the local area. The development is about strengthening Fort Kinnaird as a destination for the whole community.”

Designed with sustainability in mind, the new building would incorporate Air Source Heat Pumps and solar photovoltaic systems to help reduce energy consumption and support lower-carbon operations.

Subject to planning approval, consent is expected in November 2026, with works anticipated to begin in January 2027 and completion targeted for January 2028.

Fort Kinnaird is co-owned by retail landlord, British Land, which recently also submitted a 60,000 sq ft retail and leisure expansion at Glasgow Fort, reflecting its confidence in investing in destinations that bring together shopping, dining and entertainment.

For further details or to plan your visit to Fort Kinnaird, please visit: 

https://www.fortkinnaird.com/

One in four workers say managers and unions are failing to prevent conflict, Acas survey finds

More than one-quarter (26%) of workers feel their managers and employee representatives are ineffective at working together to prevent and resolve conflict, according to a new Acas survey.

The survey, carried out by YouGov, also found that nearly one in three (31%) workers do not have any employee representatives who could help prevent conflict.

The Employment Rights Act 2025 gives new access rights to trade unions which makes effective employer and trade union relationships critical.

The government has consulted on a Code of Practice on the new independent right of trade unions to access workplaces that is expected to come into force in October 2026. It will provide guidance on how access is requested, agreed and implemented.

Acas is calling on government, trade unions and employers to work together positively to achieve access and prevent conflict.

Kevin Rowan, Acas Director of Dispute Resolution, said: “We know there is a conflict management skills gap in Britain, and our survey shows too many cases where employee representatives and managers are not effective enough at working with each other, leading to conflict and disruption.

“Effective relationships between employee representatives and managers can help build trust, prevent disputes and contribute to productive organisations.

“I’m pleased the new draft Code recognises the valuable work that Acas collective conciliators do to build positive relationships between trade unions and employers. There is need for a balance on both sides on the right for trade union access outlined in the Code.”

Acas’s response to the Government’s consultation makes several recommendations, including how the Code should:

  • balance rights and responsibilities, clarifying that effective access arrangements be meaningful, regular and could be in-person or digital, and unions and employers should work together positively to achieve access
  • promote voluntary agreements on access between unions and employers, rather than rushing to formal procedures, and ensure the Code clearly signposts Acas services

Acas offers training, advice and a free service for managers and representatives to help prevent, manage and resolve conflict at work.

Acas collective conciliation involves working directly with employers and groups of workers or their representatives to settle a dispute. It gives both parties the chance to come to an agreement without taking legal or industrial action.

In 2024-25, Acas handled 522 collective conciliations and helped to resolve 93% of cases.

Two jailed for attempted murder following arson attack

Two men have been jailed for attempted murder following a wilful fire-raising incident on 4 April, 2025, in Hay Drive.

Kurtis Young, 42, was sentenced to 11 years in prison at the High Court in Glasgow and 19-year-old Richard Ordish was sentenced to seven years in prison on Tuesday, 16 June, 2026.

Both men pled guilty to wilful fire-raising, causing danger to life and attempted murder, in connection with serious organised crime.

The investigation was part of enquiries into violent incidents in the East and West of Scotland under Operation Portaledge.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: “This was a reckless and dangerous act and Kurtis Young and Richard Ordish will now face the consequences of their actions.

“Today’s sentence sends a message that there is no place for this type of behaviour in our communities.”

Waterfront: Community Drop-In

📣REMINDER – GRANTON WATERFRONT DROP-IN, MON 22 JUNE📣

Come along for an update on Phase 1 construction works from the Council’s Granton Waterfront team and developer Cruden.

The team will be on hand to answer your questions!

🗓Monday 22 June 2026, 4.00pm – 7.00pm

📍Granton Station