Category: Leith

Dockside contractor to support community groups over next three years

McAleer & Rushe supports Citadel Youth Centre

McAleer & Rushe has announced a three-year commitment to community groups in Edinburgh as part of its Dockside project, a neighbourhood of at least 338 build-to-rent homes where Goodstone Living is the developer and investment manager.

Each year McAleer & Rushe will provide a monetary donation to a community group or charity as well as ongoing support and engagement throughout the year.

The first organisation to be chosen in the Design & Build Contractor’s three year plan is Citadel Youth Centre, which has been providing community based youth work in Leith since 1980, and will receive a £5,000 donation.

As well as funding day trips for Mums and toddlers, new equipment and a Wellbeing Festival, the financial investment will support a number of the charity’s employability schemes including new laptops and personal PPE for young people entering their first new job.

This initiative from McAleer & Rushe will complement Goodstone Living’s social value strategy for the waterfront scheme, which will deliver over £2m worth of socio-economic benefits for the local community – including the creation of 60 jobs – as well as the construction of over 1.3 acres of new public realm space.

Commenting on the partnership Paul Marlow, Project Director at McAleer & Rushe said, “We are incredibly proud to be supporting Citadel Youth Centre who through their hard work and dedication are helping people within the local community via a range of programmes and educational opportunities. 

“As a company we are committed to making a positive impact to the communities in which we work to bring wider community benefits and create social value for those living in the local area and this project in Edinburgh is just one example of this.

“Enriching so many lives in the Leith community, Citadel Youth Centre really inspires and supports a range of young people from 6-18 shaping lives for the better, guiding young people into employment and making a real difference with the community.”

Willy Barr from Citadel Youth Centre said: “We would like to thank Paul and all the team at McAleer & Rushe for all of their help and support.

“The money that they have kindly donated will help us to continue to be able to deliver our youth programmes, educational schemes, family support groups and intergenerational work and will really make a difference to those in the community that use our services.”

Lee Hawkins, Construction Director, Goodstone Living, said: “Together, Goodstone Living and McAleer & Rushe will be delivering long-lasting benefits to the Leith community, with direct support for local people as well as the charities and key stakeholders making an impact here.

“In addition to the supply of high-quality and much needed rental housing, we are committed to the creation of jobs, skills and learning in a sustainable manner.”

Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry: Let’s Be Heard sessions in Leith

YMCA Edinburgh, in partnership with Bethany Christian Trust and Harbour, are organising two opportunities to share your experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic is part of the Lets Be Heard programme.

We are trying to reach as many people in Leith as possible so the voices and stories of Leiths pandemic experiences are heard.

Our sessions will be on the 24th of October at 1 p.m and 6p.m at the Harbour offices.

The events are open to anyone over 16 who live, work or volunteer in Leith and were here during lockdown.

To register to take part, email louisa@ymcaedinburgh.com or call 0793 541 9067.

ELREC: Art through Language project

*** Starting next Monday 9th October ***

ELREC are organising a very exciting workshop in partnership with Heriot-Watt University exploring people’s perception of their language and how it can be reflected in a form of art.

Join us for this very creative course. Attendance at all the sessions is not necessary, you can come along to as many sessions as you wish. All materials and food are provided😄

Need more information? email mrostami@elrec.org.uk

#art

#language

#linguistics

#community

Scotmid Community Connect cash for local charities

Two Leith-based charities – Edinburgh Young Carers and The Junction – have secured a share of a £25,000 funding pot, thanks to Scotmid’s Community Connect initiative.

The funds were allocated following a vote by Scotmid Members.

Edinburgh Young Carers has been awarded £15,000. The charity is a voluntary organisation that provides respite and support to young people between the ages of five and 25 who care for somebody at home.

It aims to improve the lives and wellbeing of young carers by raising awareness of the challenges they face and by offering emotional and practical support.

The Junction, which has secured £5,000, works with young people aged 12-21 across Leith and the North East of Edinburgh, offering access to a wide range of health-related services, education and information by providing a safe and welcoming environment.

The charity encourages social and economic inclusion and promotes long term health and wellbeing.

Margaret Murphy, Chief Executive at Edinburgh Young Carers, said: “We are over the moon to have been awarded £15,000.

“Young carers in Edinburgh face many challenges and responsibilities looking after their loved ones and this funding will provide new opportunities that they otherwise would not have.

“We are committed to offering young carers valuable respite and a place to grow their confidence and skills away from their caring responsibilities.”

The final good cause group in the East of Scotland to have been awarded £5,000 funding is Fairway Fife, a peer mentoring charity addressing the social isolation faced by most young adults with Learning Disabilities or Autism.

Keen to support local good causes? Pop into your local Scotmid and pay £1 to become a member.

Leith older people’s activity day

FREE EVENT AT EASTER ROAD STADIUM TOMORROW

HIBERNIAN Community Foundation is hosting an event at Easter Road through Older Peoples Week! The Older Peoples Activity Day is a FREE event taking place between 12pm – 4pm tomorrow (Thursday 5 October).

For further information or to book your place for this event, contact lewis@hiberniancf.org

Only way is up as Port of Leith Distillery project completes

Whisky fans are invited to scale new heights as the UK’s first vertical distillery, Port of Leith, opens its tour bookings and reveals first-look images of the finished interior ahead of opening to the public on Wednesday October 11th.

More than a decade since the ‘pipe-dream’ idea was first conceived by wine merchant Ian Stirling and finance director Paddy Fletcher over a dram in Milroy’s whisky bar, London, the £12m nine-storey distillery is complete and ready to welcome visitors.  

Bookings are now live for Port of Leith’s tour and tasting experience, with tours running 12-8pm Wednesday to Friday, 11am-7pm on Saturdays and 12pm-5pm on Sundays.

Over the course of 90 minutes fans will be guided through the story of the distillery’s unlikely conception, fill their own miniature bottle of  new make spirit and taste their way through the distillery’s production process in its purpose built Quality Control Tasting Laboratory.

Reservations are now also available for the top floor mezzanine bar, also opening on October 11th, a one of a kind space boasting panoramic 360 views over the city, a floor to ceiling back whisky bar and a menu of small plates designed to showcase Scotland’s world class ingredients.


Ian Stirling, Co-Founder of Port of Leith Distillery said: “Building a distillery of our own has been an ambition of Paddy and mine for over 10 years so to see the project finally come to fruition is a surreal moment for us.

“We never set out to build a vertical distillery – the shape and size of the building is a product of the tiny site we were able to secure. We wedged our distillery tower into Edinburgh’s historic harbour to make our building as accessible as possible to people who, like us, love whisky.

“We’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how to make the Port of Leith tour as special as we possibly can and look forward to welcoming fans across the globe to a whisky experience like no other.”  

Port of Leith is set to be the biggest tourist attraction to be built in Leith for decades, with a projected 25,000 visitors in its first year, increasing to 160,000 by 2025.

Paddy Fletcher, Co-Founder of The Port of Leith Distillery added: “Coming from Edinburgh, we were always confused as to why there were no single malt distilleries operating in the city.

“Being able to build something modern and different has been an enormous treat; hopefully it will encourage people to take a second look at Scotch whisky as there’s huge amounts of innovation and excitement going on within the industry.”

The distillery is creating up to 50 long term local jobs, with the capacity to produce one million bottles of whisky per year.

Priced at £26 per person, Port of Leith Distillery tours will be available from Wednesday 11th of October. They can be booked online here.

The Port of Leith Distillery Bar can be booked separately online here.

Funding boost for Castle Community Bank

Social Investment Scotland support for Leith credit union

CASTLE Community Bank, based in Leith, has received £1 million investment from Social Investment Scotland. 

The credit union received the £1M sub-ordinated loan to support their growth and ambition to be a ‘business of scale’, providing ethical and affordable loans and excellent returns for savers.  

Colour photo head and shoulders of bank Chief Executive Adrian Sargent

Castle Community Bank Chief Executive Adrian Sargent said: “I’m delighted that Social Investment Scotland has confidence in Castle Community Bank and has invested £1 million.

“This fantastic investment will reap benefits for not only our organisation but also the communities and members we support in Leith and beyond. This is another important step in our journey to grow the credit union sector and promote financial inclusion in the UK.”

Social Investment Scotland Head of Investments Chris Jamieson, said: “We’re very happy to be supporting Castle Community Bank and its ambitious programme of targeted growth, which will positively impact people in Leith and the surrounding area.

“We see the important role that credit unions play in building a wellbeing economy, particularly when many individuals and households are struggling with the rising cost of living.

“That’s why we are committed to supporting organisations such as Castle Community Bank, who are providing fair and affordable access to finance for the people and communities who need it most.” 

The Leith Collective launches its winter coat exchange ahead of ‘Christmas crisis’ predictions

Locals urged to donate to those struggling with the cost of living

The soaring cost of living, continuing high inflation and mounting energy bills will culminate in a ‘Christmas crisis’, predicts The Leith Collective. The Edinburgh Community Interest Company has been helping locals via a range of free clothing exchange initiatives throughout 2023, but says the coming season will likely be their toughest challenge yet.

First launched in January 2022, The Leith Collective’s winter coat exchange proved instantly popular, with more than 7,000 good quality coats donated and rehomed over the course of the year. But whilst many had hoped spiralling everyday expenses would settle in 2023, sadly the cost of living has continued to climb. According to The Leith Collective, the result of this is an even bigger number of Edinburgh residents now facing breaking point.

In response, The Leith Collective is now on a mission to distribute more coats than ever before and is appealing to local residents as well as businesses with excess old stock to donate what they can.

Speaking ahead of the launch of the 2023 winter coat exchange, founder Sara Thomson said; “We’ve had countless people telling us that last winter was unbearable. We all hoped that things would change for the better in 2023, but sadly it’s been cut back after cut back, price rise after price rise this year.

“For those people that had hoped to ‘ride out the storm’ last winter, the realisation that things have not improved since then and their struggles are likely to continue into 2024 will hit them hard this Christmas. 

“A warm and comfortable winter coat is a basic necessity, especially now that we’re seeing more and more extreme weather as a result of climate change. But for families that have been continually stretched, a coat yet another essential item that they are having to sacrifice.

“From our experience, the culminative effect of all these ongoing sacrifices can have a hugely detrimental impact on a person’s dignity and on their mental wellbeing.”

The winter coat exchange launches in all three Leith Collective stores on Sunday 1st October. Locals and businesses are being urged to donate good quality winter coats and waterproof jackets suitable for all ages and sizes. The coats will be available for anyone to collect at Ocean Terminal, Fort Kinnaird and St Enoch Centre completely free of charge, no questions asked. 

The winter coat exchange is not only a practical response to the cost of living crisis, but also to the climate crisis – a cause which lies at the heart of The Leith Collective. The winter coat exchange is a sustainable solution that aims to keep quality clothes out of landfill and in use for longer, thus promoting a circular economy and helping to reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry.

As a Community Interest Company, all profits from The Leith Collective go towards supporting the community and promoting sustainability through the arts.

The Leith Collective actively supports individuals with mental health or support needs to grow in confidence and gain experience in the workplace, and offers business mentorship to any members of the Collective.

It is hoped that by hosting the winter coat exchange in accessible locations such as Ocean Terminal, Fort Kinnaird and St Enoch Centre, those currently experiencing difficulties will be able to receive a helping hand.

Coats can be dropped off or collected at The Leith Collective at Ocean Terminal, The Leith Collective at Fort Kinnaird, and The Clydeside Collective at St Enoch Centre during opening hours.

Official launch of refurbished park tennis courts and booking system across Edinburgh

Thirteen tennis courts across four park tennis venues in Edinburgh, alongside a new booking system, have been officially launched after a £190,000 renovation.

This refurbishment was managed by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), and funded by the City of Edinburgh Council, the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation.

On Thursday (September 14) at the tennis courts in Leith Links, Culture and Communities Convener Councillor Val Walker, along with representatives from the LTA, saw in the official reopening of Edinburgh’s new courts.

There was also an opportunity for schoolchildren from the nearby Leith Primary alongside young leader pupils from Leith Academy, and other members of the local community to pick up a racket and get on court for a range of tennis sessions.

The Council contributed £33,000 towards the total investment, with the remaining £157,000 funds coming from the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation grant.

The courts have undergone extensive work to ensure viability for years to come, including resurfacing, repainting, new fencing, and a new gate system. This nationwide programme of investment is seeing thousands of existing park tennis courts in poor or unplayable condition brought back to life for the benefit of communities across the country, providing vital opportunities for children and adults to get active.

As part of the partnership, the Council’s Parks and Greenspace service will manage the courts and adopt the LTA’s Clubspark booking system to manage community access which will be connected to a smart access gate at each of the refurbished venues.

The new booking systems and gate access technology means it is now easier to get on court by booking in advance to guarantee availability. The small booking fee of £1 will ensure that the courts are maintained at their new high standard for years to come. The LTA and the Council will work together to ensure free park tennis sessions are also available on the courts providing regular opportunities for anyone to pick up a racket and play.

As well as weekly free park tennis sessions, with equipment provided, the new courts will host Local Tennis Leagues, giving people the opportunity to get involved in friendly and social local competitions.

The refurbishment works for courts at Inverleith, Victoria Park, and Leith Links have now been completed. Works at St Margaret’s Park are expected to be completed in the coming weeks.      

Residents and visitors can now begin using these courts – the online booking system launched yesterday (September 15).

Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said: “I was delighted to attend today’s launch at Leith Links and meet the local schoolchildren who will be some of the many in the community who will benefit from these newly refurbished courts.

“It is fantastic that courts at three out of four of the parks, Inverleith, Victoria Park, and Leith Links have now had works competed and have reopened, with St Margaret’s Park expected in the near future.

“We very much welcome the funding boost that the LTA project will bring to the city’s provision for tennis. Working together we’re investing in and improving four of our park tennis courts giving more opportunities for residents to get involved in the sport. I am looking forward to seeing residents and visitors take advantage of these fantastic new facilities.”

Julie Porter, Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, said: “After months of hard work, we’re delighted to see park tennis courts across Edinburgh officially back open to the public, and in better shape than ever.

“Public tennis courts are such vital facilities for getting active and we want as many people as possible, of all ages and abilities, to pick up a racket and enjoy playing tennis. Thanks to this investment the sport will be opened up to more players, for years to come.”

Stuart Andrew MP, Sports Minister, said: “We are committed to levelling up access to sport which is so important for the nation’s physical and mental health.

“The Government and the LTA are working together to deliver thousands of refurbished courts across Great Britain, supported by £30 million of investment including in £189,217 in the City of Edinburgh Council.  

“These improved tennis facilities in Edinburgh will provide the local community with fun opportunities to get active and potentially become the next Andy Murray or Emma Raducanu.”

Blane Dodds, Tennis Scotland Chief Executive, said: “With tennis participation and membership in Scotland at record levels, it’s important that we continue to invest in facilities to grow capacity.

“Park facilities are key to ensuring tennis is accessible to all, so we are delighted that these park courts in Edinburgh have opened following refurbishment.

“The appetite for tennis in Scotland has never been higher and these revamped courts, along with a number of other facilities being built and refurbished around the country, will help make sure more people are able to get access and play tennis across Scotland.”

Transformation of Leith continues with Ocean Point application

MORE STUDENT ACCOMMODATION PLANNED

Property developer S Harrison Developments has submitted a planning application for a c. £100 million residential-led development at Ocean Point 2 in Leith, adding to the ongoing transformation of the Waterfront and delivering further vibrancy to the area.

Neighbouring Ocean Point 1, the development of the brownfield site will provide two buildings and comprise a mix of build-to-rent homes (BTR), including apartments specifically for families, alongside purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), delivering a truly mixed community.

In total, 120 BTR homes are proposed, providing a mix of studio, one-bed, two-bed and three-bed apartments to meet a range of housing needs. A quarter of these are three-bed apartments, designed for families.

There are 404 PBSA beds on offer, split between cluster accommodation and studio bedrooms. The former accommodation is intended to be a mix of five and six bedrooms.

Student numbers have risen significantly in the city over recent years, with full-time student number growing by more than a quarter (25.1 per cent) between 2016/17 and 2021/22.

PBSA, of which there is little in the Leith area, has the potential to free-up much needed family homes locally currently occupied by students, says the developer.

Commercial space/co-working and amenity space are also proposed as part of Ocean Point 2, offering fantastic active frontage to Ocean Drive, with greatly enhanced public realm encouraging active lifestyles.

In addition to delivering homes, the new development will deliver significant local spend, amounting to some £5.3 million by residents and visitors annually, supporting an estimated 60 retail and leisure jobs. It has been estimated that 325 jobs will be created directly in the construction of the overall scheme.

The development neighbours Ocean Terminal, which is set to undergo a £100 million transformation, delivering a mixed-use development comprising residential, commercial, retail and hospitality.

The extension of the tram line between Edinburgh and Ocean Terminal also provides connectivity between the development and Edinburgh city centre within 20 minutes.

Harrison has a long pedigree of working in the city, ranging from delivering the Malmaison at St Andrew Square to student developments at Westfield and Gorgie and hotel development at Osborne House, Haymarket.

A spokesperson for Harrison Developments commented: “Our proposed development, if approved, will bring much-needed homes and student accommodation to an area which is undergoing a rapid transformation, delivering a truly mixed community.

“Regenerating a current brownfield site, this development boasts excellent transport links, especially with the new tram line, and will deliver a significant investment into the local community.”

Planning and development consultancy Turley provided planning services for the project with CDA acting as architects.