Category: city centre

Greens: Government must ensure public funding protects community assets

The Scottish Government must take responsibility for the funding it provides to Edinburgh’s Christmas and New Year celebrations and ensure that communities and public assets are protected, according to Lothian MSP Alison Johnstone.

Ms Johnstone raised the matter at Culture Questions in the Scottish Parliament yesterday, highlighting local controversy and damage to parks and public assets caused by various events in the city, and received confirmation from the Scottish Government that it provided hundreds of thousands to support these festivities.

Alison Johnstone MSP said: “The Scottish Government must take responsibility for the funding it provides and ensure this supports our communities. Serious community concerns have been repeatedly raised about the impact of Christmas and New Year events, and we must guarantee that these issues are addressed in future.

“Clearly the primary responsibility for these events lies with the City of Edinburgh Council, but Ministers must also use their influence to ensure these events don’t negatively impact our communities.

“Princes Street Gardens’ parks are much loved and sit at the heart of a world heritage site.

“We must make sure this precious community asset is protected so that local people and visitors alike are able to enjoy these celebrations.

“The First Minister recently reminded us that wellbeing should be at the heart of our economy. If government are to live up to this, they must ensure that important public places are adequately valued.”

Police issue CCTV appeal following night club assault

Police have released an image of a man they wish to speak to in connection with an assault that took place inside Garibaldi’s nightclub, in Edinburgh city centre.

The incident occurred around 2.25am on Saturday, 4 January, 2020 where a 30-year-old man was assaulted. Continue reading Police issue CCTV appeal following night club assault

City Centre Assault: police release CCTV images

Police Scotland has released images of two men they wish to speak with in connection to an ongoing investigation into a serious assault in the city centre.

Serious assault- Edinburgh City Centre- CCTV 1

Serious assault- Edinburgh City Centre- CCTV 2

Serious assault- Edinburgh City Centre- CCTV 3

The incident took place around 2.20am on Tuesday, 15 October, 2019, in St Andrew Square. A 23-year-old man was assaulted outside a restaurant on the square, close to the junction with George Street and was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he was treated for a serious facial injury.

Officers believe the men pictured may have information to assist their investigation and anyone who recognises them is urged to come forward.

The male in images one and two is described as white, aged between 18-22, of slim build with short brown hair. He is seen in the images to be wearing a black coloured polo shirt with a design on the collar, and is believed to have been wearing knee-length dark coloured shorts and white trainers.

The male in image three is also described as aged between 18-22, of slim build with short dark hair. He is seen wearing a black t-shirt with white writing to the chest and is believed to have been wearing black jeans and white trainers.

Detective Constable Tom Kerr of Gayfield CID said: “The victim was subjected to an unprovoked attack which left him with a serious facial injury that required surgical treatment in hospital.

“I would urge anyone with information as to the identity of the men pictured to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 0260 of 15th October 2019.  Alternatively please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”

Witness appeal following Princes Street incident

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was seriously assaulted in the city centre.

The incident happened between 1.40am and 1.55am yesterday (Wednesday, 8 January) at a bus stop on the south side of Princes Street, near Waverley Mall. Continue reading Witness appeal following Princes Street incident

City for Sale?

The commodification of our public places

One of the defining issues currently in front of the City of Edinburgh is how we value our public places. Should Princes Street Gardens be an oasis of green-ness and tranquillity, or should it be the city’s performance hub, the Go To place for happening events and Festival activities?

Should civic spaces be open for the unrestricted access of City dwellers and City visitors alike; or should they be a gated venue accessible only to ticket holders and promoters?

How we value public space is how we value the city overall. The Cockburn Association has been increasingly concerned about the commercialisation of our squares, our parks and our streets. We are concerned about the erosion of public investment in public places.

We are concerned that the voice of residents is decreasingly heard. We are concerned that this view is shared by many. Is this right?

As the city prepares numerous strategies and policies including City Plan 2030 (a new Local Development Plan) and a new Tourism Strategy, now is the time to galvanise opinion.

On Wednesday 22 January 2020, we will hold a Public Summit in the Central Hall, West Tollcross, open to all who share our concerns (and those who don’t too).

Save the Date. Further details will be available in early 2020.

Terry Levinthal

Director, The Cockburn Association

Edinburgh Civic Trust

 

Puppy love: canine proposal in the capital

Dachshund duo Nova and Ottis proved to be the paw-fect pair of inseparable canines as they take part in a Christmas Day proposal photoshoot at DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh City Centre.

The loved-up pups were voted as the winning fur-ever friends from a competition on the hotel’s Facebook page. The four-legged fiancées will be part of a special ceremony at SKYbar in Edinburgh on Sunday 23rd February 2020 at its annual Wedding Showcase event.

Winning couple Nova and Ottis will be given the full wedding treatment and the hotel will help plan their furry-tail ending.

You can follow the journey of Nova and Ottis on social media with #skyBARKwedding.

For more details of SKYbar Wedding Showcase please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/skybar-wedding-showcase-featuring-the-wedding-guru-and-skybarkwedding-tickets-86507366863

‘Re-imagining’ Hogmanay in Edinburgh

Let’s start from the basis that Underbelly’s events have been a disaster and should be shut down immediately (writes MIKE SMALL).

They soak up public money, refuse to be transparent about their profits, cause environmental damage to public parks, and shut down and blight open spaces held in the common good. Continue reading ‘Re-imagining’ Hogmanay in Edinburgh