From tomorrow, Monday 9 August, Scotland will move beyond level 0.
But it’s important to remember that some protective measures will remain in place.
The Scottish Government has published guidance which sets out what you can and cannot do.
Make sure you know how to #StaySafe
An East Lothian entrepreneur who runs her business on the principle of leaving the planet a better place has been named Scotland’s first sustainability Food Hero.
Catherine Franks of Steampunk Coffee Roasters and Café, North Berwick, has been recognised by the visual storytelling campaign #FoodHeroScot for her commitment to positive change, doing things differently and sharing her vision of a more sustainable business model.
She wins an in-kind support package, including marketing and PR, worth over £25,000 – the first of ten such awards which will highlight the sustainability efforts of the successful brands.
Launched last month by Medialiciously and its partners, #FoodHeroScot’s mission is to put sustainability at the heart of Scotland’s recovering post-pandemic food and drink industry and create a platform to connect conscious consumers with ethical and sustainable food and drink brands, as well as helping the brands with finding sustainable food and drink suppliers.
The non-profit campaign, is supported by STV’s £1m Green Fund which champions the efforts of sustainable Scottish SME businesses by profile-raising, communicating with consumers and encouraging Scots to reduce their carbon footprint.
It is also supported by leading Scots business figures including: Alan Mahon, Founder of Brewgooder; Nick Nairn, Owner of Nairns Ltd; Carina Contini, Director at Victor & Carina Contini; Karis Gill, Co-Founder of Social Stories Club and Loral Quinn, CEO of Sustainably
Catherine Franks began Steampunk Coffee in 2012 supplying coffee and cakes from the back of a vintage camper van at events including markets and festivals with coffee roasted in her garage.
Steampunk supplied other cafes and ran pop-ups before moving to the warehouse at Kirk Ports which is the current home of their roastery and café.
Catherine is thrilled with the #FoodHeroScot award and says: “It’s such a fantastic campaign and to get this recognition is hugely appreciated. It just shows everyone can make a difference. Our ethos underpins everything we do – it’s never an add-on.”
Steampunk never serves bottled water, instead makes tap water freely available to customers and non-customers alike. Even through Covid, they promote the use of reusable cups. Catherine has long campaigned for re-usable cups and offers a discount to customers who use them.
She has a tin refilling process – temporarily suspended due to the coronavirus – which she is very anxious to resume, and her coffee comes in fully compostable or recyclable packaging. They collect their food waste and disposables for composting and aim to educate customers about the need to dispose of compostable responsibly.
“As a business we are conscious of the waste streams we produce and we want to ensure that at the end of its life the waste from any of our packaging can be recovered and put into the correct waste stream. We also recognise that it is important to give clear information to customers about how to deal with the waste to ensure this happens.
“During the last year many people had more time to think about the world we live in and how we want to change it as we come out of lockdown. I think that kind of crystallised priorities for a lot of people.”
Commenting on the first #FoodHeroScot award, Lee Fitzpatrick, Managing Director of Medialiciously and key founder of #FoodHeroScot said: “When we launched this campaign we were confident there would be great examples out there of businesses driven by sustainability and Steampunk is exactly that, a truly worthy inaugural winner.
“A number of other exciting initiatives are in the pipeline for recognition but we would encourage anyone who knows a real Food Hero to nominate them and highlight the great work being done to help the Scottish food and drink industry emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever.”
The campaign includes ten powerful mini documentaries on businesses or social enterprises that will be featured in coming months, shared on the #FoodHeroScot website and spotlighted through a media campaign delivered by STV, as part of their Green Fund commitment.
To find out more about supporting positive recovery of the industry or for more details on how to nominate businesses in the food and drink sector, visit:
To find out more about Steampunk and their efforts to promote sustainability and to contact them directly, please visit their website: https://www.steampunkcoffee.co.uk
Drinking, Dining and Dancing without face masks will be permitted from Monday 9th August.
There is no requirement to wear a mask while eating or drinking, whether seated or standing. The Government are encouraging the use of table service where possible, but this is not a requirement.
The mandatory collection of customer contact details will remain in place.
A copy of the newly updated guidance is available here.
CLARITY ON ‘VERTICAL DRINKING’
SCOTLAND’S licensed hospitality trade received confirmation yesterday that “vertical drinking” in licensed premises will be permitted from Monday.
Colin Wilkinson, managing director of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA), attended a meeting on Wednesday with the Scottish Government and other industry groups at which officials provided clarity following ‘confusing messages’ from Deputy First Minister John Swinney on BBC Radio Scotland.
Mr Wilkinson said: “It is absolutely crucial to have this clarified. Mr Swinney’s comments were both unhelpful and misinformed.”
Community councillors are already making the most of the online courses developed by the Improvement Service and The Open University in Scotland.
There have been over 700 hits on the portal where you can sign up for free courses on digital skills, business skills, finance and fundraising, and community and society.
More information here: https://www.open.edu/openlearn/skills-supportOU-CC
Community Councillors from all over Scotland have already benefited from the free online courses developed by the Improvement Service and The Open University in Scotland
Find out more and register for a free account here: https://www.open.edu/openlearn/skills-supportOU-CC
Drop-in clinics will begin to offer Pfizer vaccines to 16 and 17 year olds this weekend, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf confirmed yesterday.
The Scottish Government has written to health boards to say that this age group can now be vaccinated in drop-ins, provided staff training and information resources are in place. Availability will be advertised locally before the full national roll-out on Tuesday.
Anyone in this age group who lives in mainland Scotland can also book an appointment via the online portal at NHS Inform. Eligible young people in Shetland, Orkney and Western Isles will be contacted by their health board and invited to attend clinics.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “In line with the latest advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), those who are 16 and 17 will be offered a first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
“We know that drop-in clinics make it easier for young people to fit getting vaccinated into their busy lives. I am therefore pleased to announce that some clinics will be able to start to offer 16-17 year olds the Pfizer vaccine this weekend. Arrangements differ across the country, and you should check your local health board’s social media channels to see what is available in your local area.
“Then, from Tuesday 10 August, all drop-in clinics in Scotland that offer the Pfizer vaccine will be open to 16-17-year-olds.
“I would urge all eligible young people to take up the offer of vaccination. You can find out where your nearest drop-in clinics are by visiting NHS Inform which will direct you to the latest information from your local health board – or through your local board’s social media channels.
“Our route out of this pandemic is getting as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible, that is why I am urging young people to take up the offer of the vaccine by dropping into a clinic or by booking an appointment.”
More people than ever in Scotland will be offered the free flu vaccine to help protect as many lives as possible this winter.
Those people eligible for the free flu vaccine now include:
The flu vaccination programme will run from this September until March 2022. All those who are eligible are being urged to take up the offer as soon as possible when invited to protect themselves and others and help the NHS and social care services avoid additional pressure over the winter period.
Almost every year in Scotland thousands of people are hospitalised with flu. This winter our immunity may be even lower than usual due to lower levels of the flu virus circulating last year as a result of the crucial public health measures in place to protect the population from COVID-19. Therefore this year, more than ever, it is important to get the flu vaccine to ensure everyone is protected.
Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer has written to the healthcare professionals who will be delivering the flu vaccine to ensure they are prepared to deliver our largest ever flu programme from September.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “Flu can be extremely serious and is very infectious. With COVID-19 still circulating in the community we can best protect the people of Scotland by encouraging everyone eligible to get vaccinated against flu too.
“That’s why this flu season, we are extending the vaccination programme and offering the flu vaccine to around four million people in Scotland. This will help to protect those most at risk as well as ease pressure on our National Health Service and social care services. The vaccines are safe and the best way to help protect you, and others, from flu this winter.”
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nicola Steedman said: “The public health measures put in place to help fight against COVID-19 meant that the circulation of flu viruses was very low last season.
“As restrictions continue to lift and we get back to living our lives more normally it is important this year, more than ever, that you receive your flu vaccine if you are eligible, and before flu starts to spread widely. It only takes a few minutes to be vaccinated, and it helps to provide protection from flu for the period of time that flu is likely to be circulating in Scotland.
“The JCVI has also published interim advice on providing a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to those eligible in the autumn. Any such extension to the vaccine programme would run alongside the vital flu programme, to protect those at risk from flu this winter.
“We will take this into account while we await the final JCVI recommendations. But we urge people not to forget about flu, and to come forward for their flu vaccination this year.”
Casino staff at Grosvenor Casino Edinburgh Maybury will finally be able to celebrate hitting the jackpot at the stroke of midnight tonight when all curfew restrictions are lifted by the Scottish Government.
Grosvenor Casinos which operate five venues across Scotland in Aberdeen, Dundee Edinburgh and Glasgow, will return to normal trading hours and capacity for the first time since March 2020. More than 700 people are employed by the casino industry in Scotland which contributed £30m in tax to the UK economy last year.
The confirmation from First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, that Scotland will move beyond level 0 from midnight on Monday 9th August, with all physical distancing and limits on gatherings removed, means the team at Grosvenor Casinos can continue to welcome back guests old and new to enjoy their favourite games, such as blackjack, poker and roulette, whilst raising a glass to the easing of restrictions.
Tony Reilly, General Manager at Grosvenor Casino Edinburgh, said: “It’s been a really difficult 18 months for the hospitality industry. Despite reopening most of our venues in May, the lifting of the final restrictions by Scottish Government is a huge relief for all our team members.
“It means we can start trading normally again and at full capacity which will enable us to create the thrilling atmosphere for guests to have fun, play their favourite casino games and enjoy quality time together again.
“Whilst we must remain vigilant and will continue to have robust health and safety measures in place in line with government guidance, we can’t wait to welcome customers old and new through our doors to enjoy the great gaming and entertainment experience they know and love with Grosvenor.”
Grosvenor Casino venues which opened from May 17th in line with Scottish Government guidance include:
· Grosvenor Casino Aberdeen
· Grosvenor Casino Dundee
· Grosvenor Casino Edinburgh Maybury
· Grosvenor Casino Glasgow Merchant City
· Grosvenor Casino Glasgow Riverboat
As well as gaming, guests can savour the delicious food and drink options with a range of dishes available that will cater to every taste. Fans of sport will also be pleased to hear that live sporting events will be available to watch when they visit the casino – just in time for the start of the new football season.
Casino businesses have invested millions of pounds to ensure venues are safe for its team and customers to play. Arriving at the casino, all customers will be registered at reception before using the hand sanitiser which will be readily available, whilst regular cleaning will take place each day, including tables, chips and machines.
Every casino will continue to make screens available for customers to use on gaming tables and electronic machines, should they wish.
Grosvenor Casinos will continue to accept cash and will encourage customers to use contactless payment, where possible. There will be safety shields at all tills to protect both team members and customers, and face masks will be worn throughout.
Guests will be able to enjoy food and drink with dining seating appropriately spaced. Pre-orders can be made at their table or from their machine, either using the online app, or by placing an order with the valet service.
To find out more information visit www.grosvenorcasinos.com and please gamble responsibly: www.begambleaware.org
Physical distancing will remain in place at health care settings across Scotland from Monday (August 9) when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted elsewhere in the country.
Hospitals, GP surgeries and dentists will be among the locations which will continue to observe the current two metre distancing requirement to help control the spread of the virus.
The measure will be reviewed as the NHS remobilises safely from the pandemic.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The safety of patients and healthcare staff is paramount.
“As we move beyond level 0, we must remember that the virus has not gone away and safeguards like distancing may be needed in some settings as we learn to live with COVID-19.
“Physical distancing in our health system will remain for now as we move safely out of lockdown.
“We will keep the situation under review and will publish a plan for the safe recovery of our NHS in the coming weeks.”
Deputy Chief Nursing Officer Anne Armstrong said: “Hospitals and other health care settings have developed new ways of working to meet the challenges of the pandemic, but there is still a risk of hospitalised cases and winter threats.
“Physical distancing will help protect staff and patients as part of the ongoing management of confirmed or suspected COVID cases.”
Three men, aged 23, 22 and 21-years-old, have been arrested and charged in connection with two alleged assaults and homophobic crime following an incident involving two men on Leith Street, which happened on Friday 30 July 2021.
The men have been released on an undertaking to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
.Detective Inspector Mark McGraw said: “Any form of hate crime has a huge impact on those targeted.
“An attack on people because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race or beliefs, is abhorrent and will not be tolerated.”
A new study has revealed that the Mojito is the UK’s favourite summer cocktail.
The research by professional kitchen suppliers Maxima Kitchen Equipment analysed Google search data to find out the nation’s favourite cocktail to make at home during summer.
It revealed that the Mojito is the most popular with a 91,600 Google searches each month. The Cuban drink that combines zesty lime and mint has few ingredients making it an easy cocktail to create at home.
The Piña Colada came in second with 89,150 searches. The cocktail that contains three ingredients – coconut cream, white rum and pineapple juice – makes it an incredibly affordable cocktail in comparison to many.
The third most popular cocktail to make at home, Espresso Martini, was searched on average 82,700 times. The refreshing and energising cocktail is perfect for a long summer evening. In Britain, people drink around 95 million cups of coffee per day, so it is hardly a surprise that the alcoholic alternative to coffee is also hugely popular.
The fourth most popular cocktail was Sex on the Beach. The cocktail that combines cranberry, orange and peach flavours was searched 82,200 times a month in the UK.
The Pornstar Martini, which ranked as the fifth most searched for cocktail to make at home, was reportedly the most ordered cocktail in bars before the UK lockdown. The passion-fruit infused cocktail was searched 77,550 times a month, reflecting its popularity in bars.
During the pandemic, the industry growth of pubs and bars in the UK has decreased by 69.5% meaning the interest in homemade cocktails has risen dramatically.
However, over the lockdown period, sales in home kitchenware rose by 41% as the UK public looked to recreate their favourite food and drink at home whilst pubs and restaurants were closed.
A spokesperson from Maxima Kitchen Equipment commented: ‘The cocktail industry has grown more and more profitable over recent years however, these search numbers are bigger than anticipated, suggesting that cocktails are now a staple of British culture regardless of if they are consumed at home or at bars.’
| The nation’s most searched summer cocktails | |
| Cocktail | Number of searches |
| Mojito | 91,600 |
| Pina Colada | 89,150 |
| Espresso Martini | 82,700 |
| Sex on the Beach | 82,200 |
| Pornstar Martini | 77,550 |
| Margarita | 65,600 |
| Negroni | 63,700 |
| Old Fashioned | 60,890 |
| Long Island Iced Tea | 58,400 |
| Sangria | 53,970 |
The analysis was conducted by Maxima Kitchen Equipment which has more than 40 years of experience in the supply and maintenance of professional kitchen equipment.
