Category: Corstorphine

Bucking the beauty trend

Self-contained, separately ventilated salons offer a more controlled approach, ensuring an uplift in post-pandemic treatments

According to the National Health and Beauty Federation, the beauty industry has suffered approximately £1.75b in losses since the beginning of the pandemic*.

With government guidelines being relaxed and reintroduced daily, businesses are at a loss to know which services to offer and how to host clients safely.  However, the Salon Studios business model offers the perfect solution to post-pandemic pampering for COVID anxious and higher risk categories, as well as those who simply wish to have more control: by reducing their exposure to the masses whilst completely personalising the experience. 

A reinvention of the traditional salon ownership, Salon Studios offers self-contained, separately ventilated, move-in ready salons, for self-employed salon professionals who would like to provide a one-to-one service for clients.

This standard has allowed salonpreneurs to get back to work quicker and easier, without the massive overheads, and feel safe in their salon as they operate a one-salon-one-client model. Short leases and low weekly fees have meant an influx of interested parties contacting Salon Studios founder, Roz Colthart, so much so the first location in Corstorphine, Edinburgh, is filled and there is a significant waiting list.

Roz Colthart explained: “When the pandemic hit, we at Salon Studios, like everywhere else, were worried about how this would impact the industry.  However, the demand we have witnessed has been completely unprecedented.

“Not only have we had enquiries for new locations from over 20 cities across the country, but we have had so many more enquiries in Edinburgh  that we have started looking for another two venues within Edinburgh and Glasgow.

“As a businessperson – and someone who has worked incredibly hard to get this concept off the ground – it is hard for me to turn salonpreneurs away because we currently don’t have the space. But location is key and so until I find the right places to build our next Salon Studios location, those on the waitlist will be offered help via our Salonpreneur website and with tips and tricks from our active social media.”

Continuing to build on the success of not only the Salon Studio physical location, but also the growth of the ‘salonpreneur’ community, Roz Colthart is developing an app that will support people in the business. The app will be used in conjunction with the website which unites self-employed salon professionals, inviting them to share insight amongst each other whilst utilizing tools provided by Salon Studios.

Current salonpreneur and Salon Studios tenant, Tammy, comments on why this all works: “It is the most amazing concept I’ve ever come across and don’t know why anyone hasn’t thought of it before!

“It is so modern, bright and airy. The individually vented rooms are absolutely perfect for the safety guidelines that we have to adhere to during these strange times. I love every part of it, and what makes it even better is the amazing owner Roz! She has been so amazing from the get go! Anything I’ve needed help with, she has been there, and I appreciate every little piece of help I’ve received.”

2021 is set to be a big year with the ongoing growth of the salonpreneur community, as well as search for locations two and three. On top of this Ms Colthart is now set to offer franchising opportunities from her third-year trading, which is almost unheard of, let alone in the midst of a pandemic.

“The way our units are set up promotes luxury, wellbeing and most of all, safety; that is something we can no longer take for granted and has been the driving force in our exponential growth.”

Based in Corstorphine, each salon studio  includes  water and electricity costs, a PPL music licence, health and safety assessment, fire management program, rubbish collection, high-speed wifi, public area cleaning, CCTV security and 24-hour access as standard.

For more information visit www.salonstudios.co.uk

Lesley traced safe and well

UPDATE: Police Scotland have confirmed that Leslie Adam, 60, who had been reported missing from Edinburgh, has been traced SAFE AND WELL.

Thank you to everyone who shared our appeals and assisted in our enquiries.

Police are appealing for information to help trace a woman reported missing from Corstoprhine.

Leslie Adam, (60) was last seen at her home address in the Bughtlin area around 2am on Sunday, 16 August. She is believed to have left around 9am on the same date on foot and has not been seen or heard from since. There is growing concern for her welfare.

She is described as being 5ft 5ins tall and of a heavy build. Leslie is thought to have recently cut her white hair which is described as being a very short, shaved cut. At the time she went missing she is believed to have been wearing a dark bomber style jacket.

Inspector Keith Forrester from Corstorphine police station said: “Along with her family, we are becoming increasingly concerned for Leslie’s welfare and are keen to locate her as soon as possible.

“It is very out of character for Leslie to not keep in contact with her family, she left on foot but has limited mobility so we believe she may have used a bus or taxi to travel.

“I would urge anyone who may have seen her to contact us as soon as possible. Similarly, if Leslie is reading this, let us know you are safe and well.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident 1543 of Sunday, 16 August 2020.

Communities benefit from Covid-19 recovery fund

Support for vital schemes to support local businesses while ensuring shoppers and staff stay safe

Communities across Edinburgh and the Lothians have received a share of £1 million of grants to help town centres recover from the consequences of the coronavirus crisis.

The money nationally has come from The Towns and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) Resilience and Recovery Fund, financed by the Scottish Government and administered by Scotland’s Towns Partnership.

Among the organisations to receive support is City of Edinburgh Council which has received £40,000 towards a digital marketing campaign and other promotional material to support a campaign encouraging people to shop local.

Details of all the projects supported in the region are available here.

The fund has supported a raft of schemes to help town centres in their fightback from the Covid-19 pandemic, including helping pay for PPE supplies as well as funding local marketing campaigns urging people to support businesses in their community, highlighting that they are open for business.

Phil Prentice, Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, said: “Businesses in our town centres are showing remarkable resilience and innovation in how they are responding to the consequences of Covid-19 to best serve their customers and communities.

“From rapidly accelerating their online offerings to moving quickly to ensure that safeguards are in place to ensure that staff can work safely and customers shop responsibly, their work is playing an important part in the nation’s recovery from the pandemic. The impact they are having should not be underestimated.

“We are delighted to have been able to support projects in Edinburgh, East Lothian and West Lothian and pleased that the work will touch on so many towns as we encourage everyone to think local first – and safety first – to support the businesses and the people behind them who really are at the heart of the areas in which they live.

“Whether it be buying your groceries or enjoying a meal out, the support you give is critical as we work hard to secure a sustainable and successful future for Scotland’s town centres.”

Nationally 73 projects are being supported – 24 in full and 49 in part – covering 188 individual towns. Money has been granted to organisations including local authorities and community business groups.

Scotland’s Communities Secretary, Aileen Campbell MSP, said: “Living more of our lives locally – shopping, eating and enjoying activities in the areas we live – has never been more important.

“It has a huge role to play in supporting Scotland’s economic and social recovery from COVID-19. This fund is enabling great work to support and promote local businesses in more than 180 towns by highlighting the diverse and vibrant selection of products and services on offer

“Taking simple steps like choosing to visit a nearby shop or café, or buying goods or services from a business in your own community helps support local jobs. These actions help local economies to thrive, bring communities together and, crucially, help us to continue to suppress the virus by limiting unnecessary travel.”

The Towns and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) Resilience and Recovery Fund totals £2 million. While half of this has been used towards the current wave of grants, £700,000 will provide support to business improvement districts when current BIDs Resilience funding expires.

The remainder of the money includes support for the Scotland Loves Local campaign, a major multimedia promotion championing the message for shoppers to think local first.

Park Life project kicks off in Corstorphine

Corstorphine Community Centre has resumed youth work and from next week the venue will be different: they are moving to Gyle Park, where the Youth Work team will be on Thursday evenings throughout July and August from 6 – 8pm.

This has been posted this as a recurrent event on CCC’s Facebook Page – you might find it and share it from there.

Please show your support by adding a comment or a ‘like’ at:

  https://www.facebook.com/CorstorphineCommunityCentre/

Police appeal following local bogus caller incidents

Police are continuing enquiries and appealing for information following several bogus caller incidents in North West Edinburgh in the last few days:

1. Around 3.45 pm on Tuesday, 30 June, two men called at an elderly woman’s home in Easter Drylaw Drive. The woman paid a three figure sum for landscaping work to be carried out however the men left in a car and did not return. .

2. Around 11.30 am on Wednesday, 1 July, two men called at a house in Cramond Park stating they were there to carry out work. It was established it wasn’t prearranged work and they were asked to leave. They were driving a white van.

3. Around 1.15 pm on Thursday, 2 July, a man called at an address in Craigs Avenue offering to carry out gardening and landscaping work. The man wanted to carry out the work immediately for cash and left when the occupier refused.

Detective Sergeant Dougal Begg at Corstorphine CID said: “This type of crime is despicable and is often targeted at the elderly and vulnerable in our communities. At this time we are trying to establish whether any of these incidents are linked.

“I urge members of the public to be on guard if someone turns up unexpectedly at their home offering to carry out work, especially work that they don’t believe is required.

“Ask for identification and/or a business card so that you can make the necessary checks for verification, don’t be afraid to say no and don’t be embarrassed as genuine callers expect you to be careful.

“If you’re not sure, don’t answer the door and report the incident to police.”

Anyone who has any information relating to the above incidents or anyone who has concerns or feels that they have been a victim of a bogus crime or scam caller should contact police via telephone number 101.

Spire Healthcare signs agreement with NHS Scotland

Spire Healthcare, a leading UK independent hospital group, has signed an agreement with NHS Scotland to make the staff, facilities, equipment and services at its Murrayfield Hospital in Edinburgh available to the NHS to help in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak.

Spire Healthcare will support NHS Scotland with immediate effect, for an initial period of three months.

 Under the agreement, which is similar to those signed in England and Wales, Spire Healthcare will provide additional capacity, relieving pressure on NHS hospitals and enabling the NHS to focus on treating COVID-19 patients. 

Ken Hay, Hospital Director at Spire Edinburgh Hospitals, said: “We are proud that we will be supporting the NHS in every way we can over the next few months, to tackle this unprecedented global health crisis.” 

We are committed to supporting the NHS in combatting the COVID-19 outbreak and will update when further information is available.

Fabio’s up for sale

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has brought to the market Fabio’s, a very successful family owned Italian restaurant that has been trading since 1998.

The restaurant has long been recognised for its great menu, relaxed surroundings and unpretentious attitude.

The restaurant is situated in the residential area of Corstorphine on Glasgow Road, one of the main thoroughfares into Edinburgh City Centre and only three miles away from Edinburgh airport which attracts millions of tourists each year. Fabio’s is a staple of the local community and is popular with residents and visitors alike.

This presents a unique opportunity to purchase an established and profitable restaurant business. The property can accommodate 70 and would suit an owner operator or couple. However, it would also be a great addition to an existing portfolio.

The business has been owned by the Crolla Family for 22 years and they are now selling the lease to retire.

Pietro Crolla Jr commented: “Dad and his brother are still cooking in the kitchen in their 70s and have been in the restaurant trade since the 1960’s in Edinburgh and had quite a few restaurants over the years.

“It has been a pleasure to serve the local community, but it is time for a well-deserved retirement.”

Tony Spence, Business Agent at Christie & Co, is handling the sale. He said: “The market remains interesting with uncertainty beginning to fade out which has created an increased appetite for well performing businesses within the city. 

“We expect this appetite to remain with operators keen to expand their portfolios within the casual dining sector.”

Fabio’s is offered for sale on a leasehold basis, with an asking price of offers in the region of £150,000.