THE partners at Specsavers opticians and audiologists within Blackhall Sainsbury’s have made a five-figure cash commitment to the local area as they continue to invest in the store and colleagues.
Led by directors Stuart Miller and Adam Gordon, the store has recently undergone a £30,000 refit, which included the shop floor and consulting rooms being freshly painted and installing a variety of new lit frame displays for children’s glasses, sunglasses, and designer brands such as Vivienne Westwood and Hugo Boss.
Located within Craigleith Retail Park, Specsavers is the only dedicated opticians in the park, with the store currently having two optometrists qualified as independent prescribers with an additional two optometrists currently training to achieve this level of qualification, with an aim of easing pressure on the NHS.
Specsavers Blackhall’s recent overhaul is another positive piece of news for the retail park, which has already seen an exciting start to 2025, with the addition of beloved retail giant ‘The Range’ joining the lineup of businesses.
Stuart, retail director at Specsavers Blackhall, said: ‘Our store refit has been warmly welcomed, not only by our customers, but also the team as its equally important that they have a nice environment to work in – they were thrilled when they saw the design plans.
‘As a team, we aim to offer the best possible customer experience to all who visit the store, however, as directors, Adam and I are also committed to helping our staff members progress in their careers. So, we are delighted that we not only have two members of the team on their way to becoming independent prescribing optometrists, but we will also have a fully qualified dispensing optician by the summer.
‘We’re looking forward to customers, current and new coming to visit the store and seeing what’s new.’
Craigleith has a vast array of businesses that call it home, including Lidl, Starbucks, Superdrug, and PureGym. It’s the closest retail park to the city centre and is easily accessible by bus as well as having plenty of parking available.
To book an appointment or speak to a member of the team at the Specsavers Blackhall store within Sainsbury’s, visit:
Ronaq, one of Edinburgh’s most popular Indian restaurants, is spicing things up with the launch of a lunchtime tapas menu.
Available from this weekend (Saturday, 1 February), the new menu at the Comely Bank BYOB will feature four sections – starter, mains, accompaniments and afters.
The usual traditional classics such as pakora, chicken biryani, lamb jalfrazi and vegetable korma will all be featured alongside an array of other mouth-watering meals, while fans of fish curry won’t be disappointed by the Machli Balti, haddock cooked with green peppers, coriander, cumin, cardamoms, pimento and cinnamon.
Diners can choose one dish from each section for £9.95.
There is also a children’s menu offering chicken tikka, chicken curry, chicken korma and fish fingers from £6.95.
The tapas will be served from 12-2pm Monday-Friday, and from 2pm-5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
“We’re excited to introduce this new lunchtime offering for our customers,” said owner Mohammed Shoaib.
“Tapas are a fun way to enjoy a number of different dishes and there is something for everybody on the menu. It’s an ideal way to taste a variety of the flavours which we are renowned for.
“They can also be served quite quickly, ideal for people who may be on their lunch break from work and a little short of time.”
TWO-way temporary traffic lights at the top of Groathill Avenue from 7am on Tuesday 24 September for ongoing power cable renewal works – expected until 11 October.
Closures on Groathill Avenue and Groathill Road South remain in place for a few more weeks.
Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans are calling on the City of Edinburgh Council to clarify how the funds allocated for improving the junction of Telford Road, Hillhouse Road, and Strachan Road will enhance pedestrian safety.
Labelled ‘Deathtrap Junction,’ this is one of the busiest junctions in the capital, yet its pedestrian crossing facilities are woefully inadequate. The complex layout, coupled with fast-moving traffic, makes it dangerous and inaccessible for all pedestrians and nearly impossible to navigate for most blind and partially sighted individuals.
The pedestrian crossings lack audible signals and revolving cones, with many in need of basic repairs. The limited protective barriers at the junction increase the vulnerability of all pedestrians, while Strachan Road is particularly hazardous, as it has no pedestrian crossing facilities at all despite the constant flow of fast-moving traffic.
The charities, along with local Inverleith Ward Councillors, are concerned that the limited budget allocated for improvements will do nothing to enhance pedestrian safety.
Caroline Hedley, a Rehabilitation and Mobility Worker with Sight Scotland, expressed her concerns: “While we appreciate the Council’s acknowledgment that the junction needs upgrading, I am left very disappointed by the limited funding being allocated.
“I struggle to see how this will significantly improve safety for pedestrians, especially those with vision impairments. We’re talking about people’s lives here. This is a densely populated area where residents need to cross these roads to reach the only local doctor’s and then again to get to the chemist for prescriptions.
“With schools and a mosque nearby, it’s clear that upgrading this junction is essential, even if it’s costly and causes traffic congestion.
“People’s safety should never be compromised, and I worry that the Council is prioritising traffic flow over pedestrian safety. I have clients living close to this junction and I need to explain to them that it’s just not safe for them to cross on their own, which is unacceptable.”
Local Inverleith Cllr Hal Osler (Lib Dem) expressed appreciation to Sight Scotland for bringing attention to the well-documented issues at the Farmers junction: “The Council must do better and prioritise projects like this, as providing safe, accessible crossings for the most vulnerable benefits everyone in our society.
“The funding allocated for this upgrade is far too low, and more must be done. While the Council claims to prioritise pedestrians over traffic, their actions don’t reflect this commitment.
“Ensuring that everyone can safely navigate this junction shouldn’t be up for debate—it’s a necessity. It’s great the Sight Scotland campaign has made the Council start listening, but it’s not enough, and once again, the most vulnerable are being overlooked.”
Fellow local councillor Cllr Max Mitchell (Conservative) adds: “I have been proud to support Sight Scotland’s campaign, and while the inclusion of this junction among the prioritised projects is a step in the right direction, it’s also a clear acknowledgment of the significant safety issues here.
“Although I welcome the funding allocated to address some aspects of Strachan Road, I am deeply concerned that the £40-50k budget will barely make a difference given the numerous dangers across the entire junction.
“People with vision impairments cannot cross this junction safely, and by failing to address these issues adequately, we are once again excluding them from our community. Safety must be our top priority, and it cannot be compromised.”
Craig Spalding, Chief Executive of Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, adds: “We recognise that a full upgrade of the junction will require more funding in the long term, but immediate interim measures—such as installing tactile paving, cones, audible signals, and light boxes, particularly at Strachan Road—are essential and must be implemented as soon as possible.
“There are blind and partially sighted people in the local area who we support who are currently not able to get about independently because of this junction. It is simply too dangerous to cross. Without basic upgrades, we’re risking people being left housebound.”
Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans are urging people to join their campaign to push the City of Edinburgh Council to upgrade the crossing at Strachan Road, Hillhouse Road, and Telford Road.
You can support this campaign by writing to your local Councillor and calling for urgent action to fix this dangerous junction.
Scottish Power / Excalon move back to Craigleith on Monday (19 August) with Groathill Avenue closed between Telford Road and Sainsbury’s garage for around 5 weeks.
Groathill Road South will also be closed at Telford Road with local access retained via South Groathill Avenue.
SCOTTISH Water has announced thatFrom Monday 15th July, Craigleith Hill Avenue will be temporarily closed to facilitate the replacement of a section of water pipe. This essential work is expected to last approximately 7 weeks:
We are planning a temporary road closure on Craigleith Hill Avenue from Monday 15th July to replace a section of water pipe.
The works are expected to last for approximately 7 weeks, during which Craigleith Hill Avenue and Carrington Road will be closed at the junction with Crewe Road South, with no through traffic permitted. Access will be maintained for pedestrians and emergency vehicles only.
Crewe Road South will remain open with two-way temporary traffic lights in place for the duration of the work.
Parking restrictions will be in place at the bottom of Craigleith Hill Crescent near the junction of the B900 Craigleith Road, to help with traffic flow through the diversion route.
The work will involve replacing a section of water pipe to ensure customers continue to enjoy fresh, clear drinking water.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation during these improvements, and we are committed to minimising disruption.
Our contractor MacKenzie will carry out these works on our behalf.
Fidra is set to help Edinburgh pupils reduce anxiety levels and will be on hand to help around the upcoming exam period
Therapy dogs in schools are working wonders across Scotland – not least at Fettes College.
The Edinburgh school recently introduced its first four-legged member of staff, who took up a new role at the beginning of the summer term to help improve student wellbeing and reduce anxiety levels.
Two-year-old Fidra is no stranger to Fettes College, having grown up with over 50 girls in the school’s College West Boarding House. She recently qualified as a therapy dog after being assessed by Therapet®, which is run by Canine Concern Scotland Trust.
Therapet® is a voluntary service that allows assessed and registered dogs and owners to provide pet therapy to places including hospitals, care homes, hospices, and schools. Studies have shown that therapy dogs help humans to release endorphins – the happy hormone – and so can reduce stress and anxiety levels.
As well as providing emotional support, therapy dogs also help schoolchildren build confidence with activities like reading and speaking in front of their classmates.
Mel Hughes, Chief Executive Officer, Canine Concern Scotland:“Our Therapets® have been supporting people around Scotland for 36 years, so the benefits of human and animal interaction are not new and can be positively lifechanging.
“Central to the visits is the wellbeing of each Therapet® and we have strict policies in place to ensure that our Therapets® do not become over-tired or stressed, particularly in busy school environments.
“Fidra has a unique knowledge and love of the school, and we’re looking forward to hearing how her visits progress and the benefit that the school community receives from these visits.”
Sue Bruce, Head of Wellbeing at Fettes College, said:“Research has shown the endless benefits of therapy animals in educational settings. Dogs are excellent listeners, which is a huge help when it comes to building up confidence in young people.”
Fidra will support students in both Fettes’ Prep and Senior school. As well as helping teach students about caring for animals, Fidra will be available for walks in Fettes’ grounds, and will also be on hand in the medical centre and in the classroom to provide support.
Fettes College student, Isla H, said: “Fidra is an enthusiastic and loveable dog, so I’m never scared to go up and play with her.
“She always looks like she has a little smile on her face, and she is so welcoming.”
Sue continued:“With her calming presence and affectionate nature, we’re sure Fidra will serve as a valuable resource in promoting emotional wellness among students and staff, provided her favourite treat – sausages – are in abundance.”
Road Policing officers are appealing for information after a pedestrian was seriously injured in a crash on South Groathill Avenue at Queensferry Road South.
The incident, which happened around 7.10am on Wednesday, 17 April, 2024, involved a red and white DAF truck and a pedestrian.
Emergency services attended and a 58-year-old woman, the pedestrian, was taken by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Her condition has been described as critical but stable.
The road was closed for around two hours to allow for investigations to take place.
Sergeant Louise Birrell said: “Our enquiries into this collision are ongoing and we would like to ask anyone that was in the area at the time who has not already spoken to us to please get in touch.
“We would also be keen to see any dashcam or private CCTV footage from the area around the time of the crash. In particular, there was a blue BMW X2 which was stationary at the time and may have information which could assist.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0487 of 17 April.
South Groathill Avenue has re-opened following a report of a crash involving a lorry and a female pedestrian made around 7.10am this morning (Wednesday, 17 April).
Emergency services attended and a 58-year-old woman was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment to serious injuries.
Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with any information or dash cam footage is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 0487 of 17 April, 2024.
