Category: South Side

Haste Ye Back! theSpaceUK rounds off a vibrant 2025 Festival Fringe

With 469 shows, 3,357 artists, and 188,000 tickets, theSpaceUK has helped new artists and audiences experience the Fringe

theSpaceUK is one of the largest venues at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with 19 theatres across 6 venues. Every genre in the Fringe programme is represented, with a strong focus on new-writing and new companies, alongside a wide range of support provided for artists bringing work to the Fringe for the first time.

187,913 tickets were issued for shows at theSpaceUK this year, demonstrating both the resilience of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the strong platform of shows at theSpaceUK.

This year saw 469 shows featuring 3357 artists at theSpaceUK, representing over 13 different countries. Each day of the 2025 Fringe saw an average of over 8162 audience members watching shows at theSpaceUK with an average of 54% of seats filled per show. 

Two artists at theSpaceUK garnered critical acclaim and were awarded the prestigious Broadway Baby Bobby Award; Sam Sherman’s Kaddish (How to be a Sanctuary), a reflection on Jewish-American life, and Baffin Productions’ In the Black, which subtly navigated systemic and institutional conflicts. 

The latter was also shortlisted for the BBC’s Popcorn Award for outstanding new writing and won the Binge Fringe’s Black Performers’ Award.

Our Asian Arts season was also celebrated for its diverse range of exciting work, with Cathy Lamb’s Dots and Ah-Ma being nominated for the Holden Street Theatres Award and the Brighton Fringe Award, respectively. Sole to Soul from the We ART together Foundation and The Boy From Bantay from Bantay Productions were also awarded Asian Arts Awards.

Artists at theSpaceUK were recognised for their work with Cornermen winning the coveted Theatre Scotland Bright Spark Award. Ghosted! A New Musical and I was a Teenage She-Devil, were the winners and runners up of Best Musical for this year’s Spookies, from The Edinburgh Horror Festival. Roadkill Bambi by Mal MacKenzie picked up the Queer Writing Award at Binge Fringe’s Queer Performers’ Awards, or ‘Queeries‘, which celebrate excellence in shows that champion LGBTQIA+ perspectives.

Finally, Here Comes Gudong by Roarrr Theatre is a sensory-rich puppetry adventure and won Theatre Weekly’s Best Family Show, whilst Entertainment Now WoW Award for Best Theatre has been awarded to When We Were Young by Geezabreak Productions. This production was acclaimed for it’s powerful and hilarious story about the realities of gang culture in Glasgow during the 90s. 

Charles Pamment, Artistic Director of theSpaceUK said: “In contrast to much of the concerns pre this year’s festival theSpaceUK has again enjoyed a fabulous month. Presenting a record number of shows, entertaining near on 200,000 audience members and boasting an array of major festival awards. 

“Our unrivalled locations, focus on programming work from across all genres, sensible and affordable ticket prices, all driven by the ethos of this festival as a platform for all, will continue to give those visiting this fabulous event the experiences they will want to repeat year on year.

“Thank you to all who participated in and watched shows at our venues. We look forward to hosting you all again in 2026 and beyond!”

Underbelly Raises Over £15,000 From 7th Annual Big Brain Tumour Benefit

  • The seventh annual Big Brain Tumour Benefit has raised £15,203 adding to the previously raised amount of £700,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity.
  • 9 acts performed for the Big Brain Tumour Benefit: Ivo Graham, David O’Doherty, Michelle Wolf, Abandoman, Celya AB, Emmanuel Sonubi, Garry Starr, Ahir Shah and Bella Hull.

Underbelly today announces the 7th Annual Big Brain Tumour Benefit has raised £15,203 for The Brain Tumour Charity, the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally.

A stand-out in Underbelly’s 25th Anniversary programme, the one-off show hosted by Ivo Graham featured performances from O’Doherty, Michelle Wolf, Celya AB, Emmanuel Sonubi, Garry Starr, Ahir Shah, Bella Hull and Abandoman in his only Fringe performance of 2025. 100% of profits (ticket income less box office commissions and other costs related to the event) from this promotional venture will be donated to The Brain Tumour Charity.

The Big Brain Tumour Benefit was created by Underbelly in 2017 following the diagnosis of an aggressive and rare form of brain cancer called Ependymoma in Alfie Bartlam, the son of Underbelly’s co-founder Ed Bartlam. At the end of August in 2019, Alfie sadly died, aged 7.

Ed Bartlam, Underbelly’s co-founder said: “I’d like to extend a massive thank you to everyone who performed in, and attended Underbelly’s 7th annual Big Brain Tumour Benefit last night.

“It makes me immensely proud that together we have raised more than £15,000 with donations going to a specific research project to find new treatments for some of the most aggressive forms of paediatric brain tumours.

“Our goal is to raise £1.5 million for this project through a series of special fundraising events such as Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit. Together we can continue to raise vital funds for research and awareness so that nobody’s life expectancy is dictated by their tumour.”

Sally King, Corporate Partnerships Manager at The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “We’re thrilled that this year’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit has raised over £15,000 and want to thank everyone for their incredible support and generosity.

“This event is a true highlight of Edinburgh Fringe 2025 –  uniting us in comedy to raise awareness and vital funds – and we are hugely grateful to the team at Underbelly for their unwavering commitment to helping us defeat brain tumours.”

Brain tumours are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children and adults under 40. They shorten life expectancy by an average of 27 years, the most of any cancer. Despite this, brain tumour research is underfunded compared to many other cancers.

Research into brain tumours is severely underfunded in the UK and yet represents the biggest cancer killer for under 40s. Around 500 children and young people in the UK are diagnosed each year but diagnosis times of childhood brain tumours are longer in the UK than in many other countries.

The Brain Tumour Charity is committed to improving the lives of everyone affected by a brain tumour diagnosis.

To find out more about the vital work that they do and to get help from their support services, please visit www.thebraintumrcharity.org or call their Information and support line on 0808 800 0004.

Further donations to the fund are welcome by visiting the link here: 

https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QVV19ZDB?utm_campaign=pdf&utm_medium=print&utm_source=qr

Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit is a one-night-only show.

For more information on the wider programme for the remainder of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, please visit the website here.

Four thieves arrested and charged for retail crimes across Edinburgh

Four men have been charged with more than 30 retail crime offences following enforcement carried out in Edinburgh.

On Tuesday (4 August) local officers, acting on intelligence gathered by the Retail Crime Taskforce, arrested a 45-year-old and 37-year-old in connection with 21 shoplifting incidents from supermarkets and convenience stores in Causewayside and Marchmont.

A 36-year-old man was also arrested for five shopliftings that took place at supermarkets in Gorgie and Chesser, while a 41-year-old was arrested in connection with five separate warrants that were all in relation to shoplifting offences in the Chesser and Gorgie areas.

Inspector David Duthie said: “These arrests are further example of the successful collaboration between divisional officers and Retail Crime Taskforce colleagues to address retail crime within the Capital.

“All reports of retail crime are treated with the utmost seriousness, and whether it’s one shoplifting incident, or several, we will use all resources at our disposal to bring offenders to justice.”

Arrests following drugs recovery in Newington

Three men, two aged 25 and one aged 26, have been arrested following the recovery of drugs and cash in the Newington area.

Around 11.15pm on Tuesday, 5 August, Summer City officers on foot patrol in the Lutton Place area observed three men acting suspiciously within a vehicle.

Following a search of the vehicle, a quantity of cocaine and £1,000 in cash were seized.

The two 25-year-old men have been released pending further enquiries. Enquiries are ongoing.

#SummerCity

#CommunityPolicing

Festival venue takes bold step towards greener Fringe

Sustainable souvenir scheme tackles single-use cup waste

FRINGE-GOERS picking up a drink at one of the capital’s busiest venues are being asked to make a small change with a big impact – as part of a bold new drive to reduce waste and support charitable causes.

In a new initiative Surgeons Quarter, the commercial arm of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, has introduced a £2 reusable cup policy, replacing throwaway plastic with souvenir-style cups that support good causes.

Customers pay a one-time £2 charge for a reusable cup, which is theirs to keep. When returning for another drink, they’ll receive a fresh, clean replacement cup at no extra cost.

Surgeons Quarter has a longstanding reputation for leading with innovation through environmental initiatives and investing heavily in the wellbeing of its staff.

Ten Hill Place Hotel, part of the Surgeons Quarter portfolio, was first awarded a Green Tourism Gold Award in 2008 and has proudly retained this accolade for 17 consecutive years.

One of the hotel’s many sustainable efforts has been the removal of single-use plastic bottles from guest bedrooms. It’s a change which has saved over 100,000 bottles to date. In their place, guests are gifted Scottish wildflower seed packets to take home, encouraging biodiversity in their own gardens and extending memories of their stay at the hotel.

Other green initiatives have included a £20,000 investment for installation of EV charging stations at the hotel, as well as a £60,000 investment in new staff members uniforms made from

recycled plastic bottles with each uniform preventing 45 bottles from reaching landfills or oceans.

But sustainability is only part of the picture. Surgeons Quarter also goes above and beyond for its team.

Recognised by the Living Wage Foundation (LWF), it ensures all staff, regardless of age, are paid above the LWF Living Wage. In addition, all employees contribute at least 12% of their salary toward their pension, with 7.5% of that contributed by the employer, more than double the required minimum.

Scott Mitchell, Managing Director at Surgeons Quarter said: “We’re always looking at how we can help improve the planet, improve the guest experience and also improve the working environment for our team.

“That’s why we continually invest in initiatives prioritising long-term sustainability and staff wellbeing. We believe these aspects go hand in hand.”

The reusable cup policy reflects this commitment. Surgeons Quarter invested over £20,000 in the upfront cost of the cups, making the £2 charge fair and necessary, so it can continue running operations that pay staff fairly, reduce environmental impact and maintain the support for its local charity partners.

Scott added: “This step is a part of a wider commitment to doing what’s right, even when it costs more. That’s why we’re asking the public to support the reusable cup chaange as it helps us improve standards across the board.”

Some of the reusable and dishwasher safe cups feature the striking silhouette of the iconic Playfair Hall, while others are branded with the logos of theSpaceUK, which hosts the largest and most diverse programme at the Festival Fringe, and Surgeons Quarter itself.

The variety of designs provides visitors with eye-catching tangible reminders of their Festival experience as well as supporting the drive to reduce single-use waste.

Scott said: “After testing the concept in 2024, we’ve streamlined the system and are excited to launch the full initiative.

“We’re trying to shift the mindset. Rather than something disposable, we want people to see these as souvenirs that do good.

“We know some will be resistant to change but when it’s a minimal cost for an item that supports local and global causes, we hope people will get on board.’’

A portion of proceeds from cup sales will support three key causes: carbon offsetting initiatives through Ecologi; a special Supper Soirée hosted by Surgeons Quarter in support of Cyrenians, the homelessness charity tackling isolation and homelessness; and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh’s global efforts to improve patient outcomes around the world.

Under the new guidelines, festivalgoers are welcome to bring their own clean reusable cups for wine, spirits, bottled beer and soft drinks only — provided the cup is visibly clean.

However, if the cup is not SQ-branded, it is your responsibility to ensure it is hygienic, as staff are unable to wash or handle personal cups. Single-use plastic cups, including supermarket-style cups, will not be accepted.

Scott added: “This isn’t about jumping on a trend. It’s a long-term commitment to reducing our footprint and boosting our social impact.

“A single-use plastic cup has an impact of 0.07kg CO2e, and a reusable equivalent has an impact of 0.0084kg CO2e per use. Every cup that isn’t thrown away is a small win for the environment and every cup that helps someone in need makes that win even sweeter.”

Surgeons Quarter promotes, sells, and manages all commercial activities held within the RCSEd campus.

These include facilities for conferences, meetings, private events, parties, and weddings, as well as its own four-star hotel, Ten Hill Place, Café 1505, and SQ Travel.

To find out more about Surgeons Quarter, visit: 

https://www.surgeonsquarter.com/festival-fringe-2025/

Tomorrow: Edinburgh to host The Great British Care Cycle Relay

Cycling adventure begins at Glencairn Care Home to shine a light on the care services at the heart of every community

The Great British Care Cycle Relay, which celebrates the care services at the heart of every community, is set kick off at Glencairn Care Home in The Grange, Edinburgh at 9.00am tomorrow – Thursday 12 June.

It includes five individual, day-long cycle rides in Scotland, England and Wales totalling around 500km, with colleagues, supporters and families of all ages and abilities taking part and visiting care services enroute.

Eleven cyclists, including one from Renaissance Care, are taking part in the Scottish leg of the relay. The group will cycle a 123km loop, passing through Stenhousemuir and Winchburgh and visiting care homes such as Canmore Lodge Care Home in Dunfermline, Caledonian Court in Larbert and Linlithgow Care Home. The cyclists will also stop off at Alzheimer Scotland’s new and expanded facilities in the city.

The Great British Care Cycle Relay also takes in a 94km York route through North Yorkshire, a 103km Nottingham route in the Midlands, a 125km route through Cardiff and South Wales and a 110km finale from Brighton to London on 16 June. By the end, Championing Social Care expects over 70 cyclists to have been involved.

The end of the relay marks the start of Care Home Open Week 2025 (16 to 22 June), which aims to highlight the amazing work that is modern care.

Ian Condie from Dunfermline is taking part in the race with his wife Jenny, he said: “We’re looking forward to the cycle, but with a little trepidation!

“At 123 kilometres, it’ll be the longest distance we’ve ridden on our tandem this year, although as part of the route goes through Fife, it will be familiar territory for us.

“This is a cause close to our hearts, as having lost my 98-year-old mum in January after a short illness, we’ve had first-hand experience of the fantastic job those involved in the care sector do for both those receiving care and their families. Mum as a resident at Orchardhead Care Home in Rosyth for the last couple of years and had been happy and well looked after there. It’s good to give something back.”

Organiser of The Great British Care Cycle Relay, Championing Social Care, is encouraging those people who want to take part, but are not cyclists, to instead to cheer the riders on as pass by or help give them a warm reception when they visit care homes enroute.

The care home gatherings will provide an opportunity for the cyclists to connect with fellow colleagues, share stories, and enjoy the contagious enthusiasm that radiates throughout the relay.

Championing Social Care Trustee and Founder and Chair of the Great British Care Cycle Relay, Vishal Shah said: “The Great British Care Cycle Race is a fabulous precursor to Care Home Open Week.

“It’s now its third year and our largest one yet. It connects the joy of cycling with visiting the incredible care services at the heart of communities up and down the country. The aim is to bring more of the general public closer to understanding what it’s actually like to live and work in care and help dispel the negative narratives that often are shared.

“As a keen cyclist, any opportunity to get on a bike is always taken, but this relay is particularly special. My motivation for taking part stems from a deeply personal connection, as my grandmother lived with dementia and received incredible support from social care, which enabled her to live a life of quality and purpose.

“We were supported as family to not only navigate this journey but also enjoy the special connections and memories that we continued to create and share together.”

Robert Kilgour, Chairman of Renaissance Care said: “We’re proud to host the launch event here at Glencairn Care Home. Care homes play a vital role within communities delivering essential support to older adults and easing pressure on the wider health and social care system. 

“Every day, our dedicated staff bring compassion, expertise, and commitment to promoting the physical and emotional wellbeing of our residents. We’re extremely proud of the work they do, and this event is a welcomed opportunity to shine a light on the outstanding work happening across the social care sector.”

In 2024, over 5,500 care services took part in Care Home Open Week, which represents around a third of the total number of homes in the country. It is hoped this year’s event will have even higher participation from care services, communities and government ministers.

Disabled activists lay siege to Scottish Secretary’s constituency office

Disability rights campaigners held a protest outside Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray’s constituency office in 31 Minto Street on Saturday. The event was organised to protest against proposed cuts to disability benefits.

Speakers attended from local community groups such as Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty, ‘Crips Against Cuts’ Edinburgh, and local disability rights groups and charities.

Ian Murray was criticised for cutting benefits while receiving an income at taxpayer expense. One attendee broke down in tears describing the effect the proposed cuts to disability benefits would have on their life.

Speakers were followed by live music and an open discussion about how to stop the cuts.

One protester was dressed as the Grim Reaper to emphasise the life-threatening impact of proposed cuts.

The protest was organised by the Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty and the Austerity Resistance Forum.

A member of the forum commented: ”The Austerity Resistance Forum is a political group based in the local community, and on regular assemblies.

“We are sick of years of failed and disastrous austerity policies which are tearing up working class communities. A crumbling NHS, a sky-high cost of living, and social desperation are the direct result of endless government cuts”.

Speeches and statements

John McArdle Co-founder of the Scotland-based grassroots Black Triangle spoke at the demonstration: “The message we need to send to Labour MP’s is that if you vote for this bill we will see you off. You will lose your seat. We’ve done the research. We know that in most constituencies there are more disabled people than the parliamentary majority of those MP’s.

“They are treading on very, very thin political ice, and the only thing they understand is hard political power. Brothers and Sisters, we have that power!

“The message we send to Ian Murray today, and to every Scottish Labour MP who was elected in the new intake is that if you attack us, if you starve us, if you try and kill us – we will shut you down!”

Following the protest, he added: “We have read the ‘Riot Act’ to the PLP [Parliamentary Labour Party] now. We have done our homework and the whole community is on our side: if you vote for these cuts, if you continue your betrayal of us; if you remove our support and try to starve us, make us homeless and ultimately kill us, we and our allies will ensure that your constituency majorities will be wiped out and that the Labour Party ceases to be a political force here in Scotland, Wales or the United Kingdom generally.

“We will take you down with our ship. You know it.”

A speaker from a local disability charity also made a speech at the event: “I’ve worked with disabled people now for eighteen years, and this is the worst attack that we’ve seen ..even worse than the cuts under the coalition government … we’re going to see absolute destitution occurring.

“It’s already happening. In Scotland seventy five percent of food bank users are disabled people or their families. [Audience members shout “shame on scotland”] It is an absolute shame, but it’s also a shame on society, wider society, in the UK… I consider myself a disabled person now… I have stage four cancer.

But, I’m above the age where I’ll lose benefits. It really does mean a lot to disabled people that we have allies in the movement that are prepared to take action…You can tell the amount of support that the public has for this issue by the amount of cars that are honking their horns as they pass… We will win eventually. I’m absolutely certain of that. Thank you very much. [Cheering and clapping].”

A local resident with Parkinson’s disease also spoke, while physically shaking: “There are a lot of elements of Parkinson’s disease which are not included in the measurements for assessing disability.

“Like me, without medication I sleep about four hours a night and day after day, week after week, that’s really hard. They way they cut it, it’s just so arbitrary. If you can tell from my voice, I’m American. I’ve been here twenty years, my life is here.

“But I’ve been getting some close reports with what’s been going on with the Trump Administration, which is in power partly because the democrats did not support the people enough and gave rise to populism. [Applause and drums] I think that is going to happen here. I just want to thank every single one of you for showing up today [tears], for making this issue viable.

“Please continue to do so. Thank you.” [Applause and drums].

Police appeal to trace Daniel Lewis

Police Scotland is appealing for information on the whereabouts of 29-year-old Daniel Lewis who was last seen in the St Leonard’s area of Edinburgh around 4.25pm on Thursday, 22 May, 2025.

Daniel has links to Merseyside and Inverness and has a Liverpool accent.

He is described as being around 5’8”, thin build with blonde hair. He was wearing a dark baseball cap, navy shorts, a dark coloured lightweight jacket and black trainers.

He is described as being around 5’8”, thin build with blonde hair. He was wearing a dark baseball cap, navy shorts, a dark coloured lightweight jacket and black trainers.  

Officers are carrying out extensive searches and reviewing CCTV in an effort to trace him. Members of the public are advised not to approach him if they see him but to contact police immediately.

Anyone who knows of his whereabouts should contact Police Scotland on 101, or in an emergency on 999. Please quote incident number 2526 of Thursday, 22 May, 2025. Information can also be passed via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.

Tesco shopper selects local school to receive a £5,000 donation

St Thomas of Aquin’s High School is celebrating after being selected by a Tesco customer to receive a £5,000 donation.

On Saturday 15th March, Tesco customers at the Edinburgh Nicholson Street Express store were given the chance to take part in a lucky dip to find a golden version of Tesco’s famous blue voting token.

St Thomas of Aquin’s High School was one of three local groups that customers could vote for to receive the £5,000 Golden Grant as part of Tesco’s Stronger Starts scheme.

Philippa Hastings, a member of staff at St Thomas of Aquin’s High School, said: “This funding will be used to support the families of the St Thomas of Aquin’s school students in accessing extra-curricular and excursion opportunities at a time when many families are struggling with the cost of living.

“We are trying to develop educational and engaging opportunities for young people to learn outside of the classroom and are thrilled to be able to support families financially thanks to this grant.”

Over one hundred Tesco stores across the country took part in the Golden Grants event, with £500,000 in total being donated to good causes that help children and young people.

Stronger Starts helps schools and children’s groups provide nutritious food and healthy activities that support young people’s physical health and mental wellbeing, such as breakfast clubs or snacks, as well as purchasing equipment for healthy activities.

Claire De Silva, Head of Communities at Tesco said: “We are incredibly proud to award Golden Grants to over one hundred schools and local projects, supporting the vital work they do for our children and communities.

“Since we launched our grants programme in 2016, more than £120 million has been given to more than 67,000 local schools and community groups.”

Golden Grants are part of Tesco’s £8 million Stronger Starts grant programme, which is delivered in partnership with the charity Groundwork UK.

Man convicted of 2023 murder of teenager in Edinburgh

A 21-year-old man has been convicted of the murder of Lewis McCartney in Edinburgh. 

The 18-year-old was found with serious injuries on Viewcraig Street around 3.45am on Sunday, 12 February, 2023. Lewis was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he died a short time later. 

Bailey Dowling was found guilty of murder at the High Court in Edinburgh today (Thursday, 17 April, 2025). He will be sentenced at a later date.