Craigleith – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

One year on, The Range at Craigleith Retail Park is now even better

Great Value Homewares, Furniture, DIY and Art Supplies alongside a fully stocked Garden Centre by Homebase – Your One-Stop Shop for Home and Leisure

A year on from its rapid reopening, The Range Superstore has stepped up once again, completing a full enhancement of the store to deliver an even bigger and better shopping experience.

With expanded departments, refreshed layouts and hundreds of new products added, customers can now enjoy even more choice across the great-value home and leisure ranges the retailer is known for.

Following last year’s swift relaunch, The Range superstore has undergone further investment over the past 12 months, strengthening its position as a true one-stop destination for home décor, creativity and outdoor living.

Shoppers will now discover broader ranges, improved in-store navigation and even more inspiration across every department.

From statement home décor and soft furnishings to lighting, mirrors, wall art and on-trend seasonal collections, the store now offers even greater choice for customers looking to refresh their space. Craft enthusiasts can explore an extensive arts and crafts department, one of The Range’s signature strengths, stocked with canvases, paints, hobby supplies and creative kits for all ages. Shoppers will also find expanded ranges across furniture, storage, kitchenware, outdoor living and family leisure, all designed to deliver style and practicality at accessible prices.

Garden lovers will also benefit from a dedicated Garden Centre by Homebase, bringing plants, compost, tools and outdoor project inspiration back to the local community. Whether updating a balcony, transforming a patio or creating a family-friendly outdoor space, customers can now browse everything they need under one roof.

The enhanced store reinforces The Range’s position as a true destination for home décor, creativity and outdoor living, offering shoppers thousands of products across multiple departments, all at great value prices.

A spokesperson for The Range Superstore said: “We’re proud to welcome shoppers back to a fully updated superstore.

“The Range is known for its breadth of choice and unbeatable value, and this refreshed store truly showcases the very best of what we offer, from home décor and arts and crafts to garden living. We’re excited for customers to come in, explore and rediscover their local store.”

The updated Craigleith Range Home & Leisure (Unit 3 Craigleith Retail Park, South Groathill Avenue, Edinburgh, EH4 2LN)is open now, with customers encouraged to visit and see what’s new.

Gas network upgrades in the pipeline for Telford Road

LOCAL TRAFFIC DISRUPTION LIKELY FOR SIX WEEKS

Gas network company SGN is upgrading the gas network in Telford Road to ensure local homes and businesses continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply.

The project involves replacing old metal mains, reaching the end of their useful lives, with new plastic pipe. This will help ensure local homes and businesses continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply long into the future.

Following close consultation with the City of Edinburgh Council, works will start on Monday 26 January and last for approximately six weeks. The project will begin in Telford Road at its junction with Groathill Road North, operating under temporary traffic lights for approximately two weeks.

The work will then progress eastbound along Telford Road under a lane closure. before progressing east under a lane closure. Please note that delays are expected during peak travel periods.

Localised road closures in Groathill Road South and Telford Drive will be required at various stages to allow traffic to flow on Telford Road. Clearly signed diversions will be in place to assist road users.

SGN spokesperson Katie Lobban said: “We’ve worked closely with the local authorities in planning this work and we will be doing everything we can to limit disruption during our essential project.

“This section of our gas main has required a number of emergency repairs in recent years, so we’ve made the decision to fully replace the pipe to reduce any further disruption to the local community and commuters.

“We appreciate that roadworks can be frustrating and would like to thank everyone affected for your patience, understanding and support as we work to improve the energy infrastructure in Edinburgh.”

Happy 15th Anniversary, NEN blog!

NEN PUBLISHED OUR FIRST BLOG POST ON THIS DAY IN 2011

The very first NEN blog post was published on this day in 2011. The post read:

Hello, and welcome to the brand new NEN blog.

For those of you not already familiar with the newspaper, we are a local community paper serving the North Edinburgh community. We’ve been here for over thirty years.

This blog, along with our new Facebook page and Twitter stream, represents our first foray into the world of social media. We really want to encourage more participation, more questions and ideas from the North Edinburgh community – both online and offline – and hope that these new tools will help us to do that.

We already have a good website, where you can always find the latest edition of the printed newspaper. The blog won’t be replacing that, but will instead be there to show people the latest news about the area, and also to help us cover the current funding crisis we are facing as an organisation.

Above all, we want to include your input on the blog – be it ideas for stories, comments, pictures and events. So get in touch!

The NEN’s website was sadly deleted when funding ceased but our social media presence continues on both Twitter and Facebook and the blog is still going strong with 10 – 12 posts daily.

2025 was the NEN blog’s busiest ever year with 36,000 visitors. As I write this we’ve published more than 38,000 posts – all of these remain accessible online – and we’re currently on a run of publishing on 2749 consecutive days.

When the NEN office in Crewe Road North closed much of the NEN archive material was lost, but thankfully some of our picture library was salvaged and can now be found at granton:hub (Madelvic House), where the volunteer archive team has also collated all remaining hard copies of the North Edinburgh News newspaper.

Hopefully, between the physical archive and the NEN blog, you can find all you need to know about our community’s rich history – and we’re adding to that history every day!

Brightness and joy as Ronaq serves up 50 per cent discount for January

Ronaq, one of Edinburgh’s leading Indian restaurants, is serving up a new year treat for customers with 50 per cent off its entire menu for the month of January.

Having introduced the offer last year, bosses have been inundated with enquiries from diners keen to know if there were plans to run something similar to kick off 2026.

The good news is that the big discount will once again be running from New Year’s Day at the Comely Bank eatery, which is also a BYOB.

Whether it’s fragrant biryanis, signature karahi dishes or Ronaq specials, customers can now enjoy it all at a fraction of the price.

“The name Ronaq means brightness and joy and we hope to bring lots of that to our customers in January with this offer,” said owner Mohammed Shoaib, who has been serving the finest Indian and Pakistani cuisine since opening in 2014.

“It was really popular last January and I lost count in recent weeks of the number of people asking if we were going to do the same this time.

“We want to give back to our loyal customers and what better way than by providing them with a memorable Ronaq dining experience at a memorable price?”

Opening times from 1 January are noon-2pm and 5pm-10pm, seven days a week

Edinburgh opticians invest £30,000 in Craigleith Retail Park store refit

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:

https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/blackhallsainsburys

or call 0131 334 8241 to speak to a member of the team.

Ronaq serving up tapas treats for lunch

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.”

Warning: Telford traffic misery to continue for a while yet

Telford Road

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.

#edintravel

City of Edinburgh Council slammed for allocating just £50K to upgrade ‘Deathtrap’ Junction

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.

Follow this link to take action: https://sightscotland.eaction.org.uk/Fix-Deathtrap-Junction.

More traffic disruption in Craigleith

SCOTTISH Water has announced that From 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.

Category: Craigleith