Edinburgh Leisure has set out the next steps in the refurbishment of Portobello Swim Centre following a major public consultation which showed overwhelming support for investment in the much-loved community facility.
The consultation, carried out independently during May and June 2026, gathered views from customers, user groups and local residents. It found that 91% of respondents support investment in the centre, while 95% recognise it as an important community asset.
Taking this feedback into account, Edinburgh Leisure and the City of Edinburgh Council will now move forward with the next stage of design development. The design team will use the consultation findings to finalise a design for approval, with a focus on improving facilities while protecting the character, heritage and community value of the iconic building.
A design shaped by the community
The next phase of the project will focus on developing a design that reflects what customers said matters most. This includes considering:
How changing facilities can be upgraded to better meet customer needs
Improvements to layout, cleanliness, accessibility and family provision
The importance of retaining the building’s unique character, including its natural light and sea views
The consultation findings will now be reviewed in detail by the design team as they develop the final design for approval.
Moving into the next phase
The project will now move into further design development and approval stages, with updated designs and visuals shared with the public once the design has been progressed.
Subject to final approvals, the next steps will include:
Finalising a design for approval and securing the necessary consents
Appointing contractors
Confirming timelines for refurbishment works
Edinburgh Leisure has also committed to providing regular updates throughout the project, with 95% of consultation respondents stating they wanted to be kept informed as plans progress.
Supporting customers through change
The consultation highlighted that temporary closure of the centre is the biggest concern for customers, with more than 80% indicating they would be affected by any period of closure.
Edinburgh Leisure will develop a comprehensive customer support plan ahead of the refurbishment, including access to alternative facilities, swim lesson arrangements and flexible membership options to minimise disruption wherever possible.
A long-term investment in Portobello
The refurbishment aims to ensure Portobello Swim Centre continues to serve the community for generations to come, improving the quality of facilities while maintaining the character and heritage that make it one of Edinburgh’s most valued leisure venues.
Claire Rusack, Operations Director at Edinburgh Leisure, said:“We would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation and shared their views.
“The message from the community was clear – people strongly support investment in Portobello Swim Centre, but they also want to protect the features that make it such a special place.
“The design team will now use that feedback to finalise a design for approval. This will ensure the next stage focuses on improving changing facilities, accessibility and the overall customer experience, while taking account of the natural light, sea views and heritage character that customers told us they value most.
“Portobello Swim Centre is one of Edinburgh’s most iconic leisure facilities and this investment will help safeguard its future, ensuring it continues to support active, healthy communities for many years to come.”
A City of Edinburgh Council spokesperson said:“Portobello Swim Centre is an important part of Edinburgh’s sporting and cultural heritage, and we welcome the high level of public interest in shaping its future.
“The consultation has provided clear and valuable feedback which will help inform the next stage of design development.
“We’re committed to working closely with our partners and the local community to breathe new life into this much-loved landmark space in a way that protects the building’s historic character while creating modern, high-quality facilities for future generations.”
SKERRYVORE, SKIPINNISH AND TIDE LINES FEATURE ON BESPOKE TRACK
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo brings iconic Scottish bands Skerryvore, Skipinnish and Tide Lines together for a brand-new song created for the 2026 Show, A Call To Gather.
In a fitting celebration of contemporary Scottish music, the three bands collaborate on a bespoke track, combining some of their most popular songs – featuring Skerryvore’s Live Forever, followed by Skipinnish’s Alive and then Tide Lines’ Heroes.
Everything Worth Fighting For has been arranged by the Tattoo’s resident composer, Tom Hodge, and will be performed by Tattoo Orchestra lead by Nick Grace, uplifting and inspiring audiences on the castle esplanade this summer.
Lead vocalists from the bands gathered at Glasgow’s Assumption Studios to record the vocals for the track, lending their talents to a truly unique element of this year’s Show.
Alan Lane, Creative Director at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “The Contemporary Scottish Traditional Music scene is the most exciting cultural movement in Scotland at the moment.And these bands are at the forefront of that movement.
“We’ve worked with these artists before and some of the highlights of recent tattoos have been our collaborations. It’s a key part of the company’s creative direction and long may these friendships continue.”
Alec Dalglish, Skerryvore, said:“It’s amazing to be a part of this collaboration. Lots of the bands are also our friends, so that means a lot to us.
“It’s good to be involved in a project with them, as we don’t get to see each other all that much, so it was cool getting to be in the studio.”
Angus MacPhail, Skipinnish, said:“We loved having our song Eagle’s Wing performed by the fantastic community choir, Sing in the City in the Show last year.
“It’s really special to be involved again this year and, not only that, but to be featured alongside friends from some of our favourite bands.”
Robert Robertson, Tide Lines, said: “It genuinely is a pinch-me moment to look out and see the Massed Bands playing something that was written in my bedroom in my flat in Glasgow!”
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo returns for their 2026 Show, A Call to Gather from 7 – 29 August.
Leading veterinary charity PDSA welcomed Labour MP for Edinburgh South West, Dr Scott Arthur, to its Edinburgh Pet Hospital last week.
During the visit, Dr Arthur met with PDSA Regional Manager John Faulkner and saw first-hand the vital veterinary care being provided to pets and owners across the local community. The Pet Hospital employs more than 30 people from the local area and last year alone treated more than 10,500 pets.
The visit included a tour of the Hospital, as well as the opportunity to meet the veterinary team and learn more about growing pressures on veterinary services, as well as the increasing challenges facing pet owners.
Discussions focused on the findings of PDSA’s Pet Health Inequality Report, including the impact of rising pet ownership costs and the wider cost-of-living pressures affecting owners’ ability to access veterinary care.
PDSA Regional Manager John Faulkner said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Dr Scott Arthur to our Edinburgh Pet Hospital and show him the work our dedicated team carries out every day to support pets and owners in the local community who need us most.”
PDSA’s mission is to keep people and pets together by providing support for owners who cannot afford the cost of treatment. In the last year, the charity treated over 422,000 pets and supported more than 339,000 clients across its network of over 40 Pet Hospitals.
The Edinburgh PDSA Pet Hospital provides fully funded and low-cost veterinary services to eligible people across central and coastal Edinburgh east to Musselburgh and Tranent, south to Penicuik and Gorebridge, west through the airport corridor to South Queensferry, Livingston, Bathgate and Bo’ness, covering almost the entire Edinburgh commuter belt.
Reflecting on the visit, Dr Scott Arthur MP said: “It was a privilege to visit the Edinburgh Pet Hospital and see first-hand the invaluable work the team does. PDSA really is an indispensable lifeline for vulnerable pet owners across Edinburgh, ensuring that financial hardship is never a barrier to accessing essential veterinary care.
“It was helpful to hear about the pressures facing both pet owners and veterinary professionals, particularly as the rising cost of living continues to affect households. Seeing how busy the hospital is and learning more about the charity’s work, including the support it provides to eligible pet owners, really highlighted the growing demand for these essential services.
“I was also pleased to hear about the ways PDSA helps improve pet wellbeing through resources such as the Pet Health Hub.
“I am grateful to the team for taking the time to share their experiences and for the essential service they provide to our community.”
John Faulkner added: “Pets are cherished members of the family, and no owner should have to choose between caring for themselves and caring for their pet.
“Visits like this are an important opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges facing pet owners, as well as the vital role PDSA plays in supporting communities across the UK.”
PICTURES L-R: Senior Veterinary Surgeon at PDSA Andrew Hogg, Labour MP for Edinburgh South West Dr Scott Arthur, PDSA Regional Manager John Faulkner and PDSA Education Lead Anna Baggott
Why cancer-triggering damage, like smoking, may cause disease in some people but not others
Scottish researchers funded by Cancer Research UK help answer a long-standing mystery of cancer – why some people get the disease while others don’t.
An international team of leading scientists has discovered that inherited genetic differences play a crucial role in shaping how cancers develop and evolve after DNA damage to the body occurs.
The findings could help explain why some people exposed to major cancer risks, such as smoking, never develop disease while others do.
The research, published in Nature, carried out in mice by researchers at Edinburgh, Cambridge, Heidelberg and Yale universities, shows that genetic ancestry can directly influence how cancer-causing mutations behave and how the resulting cancers grow and interact within the body.
Study co-lead Professor Martin Taylor, of the Institute of Genetics and Cancer at the University of Edinburgh, said:“Cancer doesn’t develop in a vacuum. Our research has shown that inherited genetics can fundamentally shape how tumours grow and evolve.
“Understanding this interaction between an individual’s inherited genetics and new cancer-driving mutations caused by DNA damage brings us a step closer to truly personalised cancer care.”
Personalised medicine is a growing area of cancer research which aims to tailor treatment to a specific patient but more information, such as this study, is needed to understand why and how cancer behaves in different people.
In the UK, more than 403,000* people are diagnosed with cancer each year (34,800 in Scotland***) with around 170,000** people (16,400 in Scotland****) dying from the disease annually, so finding new ways to tackle the disease is vital.
DNA damage through normal ageing and environmental exposures like sunlight, tobacco smoke or processed meat can lead to cancer however, the process is far from predictable.
Many smokers, for example, never develop lung cancer, while some people who have never smoked do. The reasons for this are not fully understood as studies of human cancers are limited by the complexity of real life such as differences in lifestyle, environment, and the role genetics plays.
To understand the role genetics plays, the research team recreated cancer development under controlled conditions.
Using four genetically distinct groups of mice, representing levels of genetic variation similar to those in human populations, the team exposed each group to the same DNA-damaging chemical comparable to those found in some processed meats.
They then tracked how tumours developed in remarkable detail, analysing whole genomes, gene activity, and tumour structure.
Despite identical exposure, the cancers that emerged followed strikingly different paths depending on genetic background.
The study found that most tumours shared a common feature: disruption of a key cancer-driving pathway known as MAPK. However, how this disruption occurred and what happened next, varied widely.
Researchers observed differences in which genes were mutated, how tumours grew, the number of additional cancer-driving mutations and whether entire genomes were duplicated – a major step in cancer progression.
Even more striking, the same cancer-causing mutation could have different effects depending on genetic background, influencing critical pathways such as the body’s key tumour suppressor system.
Study co-lead, clinician scientist pathologist Dr Sarah Aitken, Assistant Professor at the Centre of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Yale University, said:“Our findings have important implications for cancer screening, diagnosis, and prognostication as well as profound implications for precision medicine.
“Even when tumours arise from the same type of damage and look nearly identical under the microscope, they can acquire distinct molecular changes depending on inherited genetics which shape how the cancer behaves.
“Treatments are often designed to target specific mutations (identified by genomic pathology tests) but this research suggests that patients with the same mutation may respond differently depending on their genetic background.”
By better understanding how inherited DNA influences cancer evolution, future approaches could improve prediction of cancer risk, allow medics to tailor treatments more effectively to individuals and help address disparities in cancer outcomes across populations.
Senior author Professor Duncan Odom, who led the research while at the Cancer Research UK Institute and the University of Cambridge, now based at the German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ)in Heidelberg, Germany, said:“Cancer does not arise entirely by chance. Although tumours often reach the same biological endpoint, the path to that endpoint is determined by an individual’s genetic background.
“We’ve been able to show for the first time the extent to which genetic background influences both the mutation processes and the pathways leading to tumour development.”
The study is the result of years of international collaboration between the Universities of Edinburgh, Yale and Cambridge and forms part of the Liver Cancer Evolution consortium led by Professor Duncan Odom, Dr Sarah Aitken and Professor Martin Taylor.
Along the way, the team uncovered unexpected patterns in how DNA damage is processed; insights that ultimately enabled them to track cancer development with unprecedented precision.
Cancer Research UK research information lead, Dr Sam Godfrey, said:“This study gives us a fascinating hint that our inherited genes might have a big influence on the way that cancers develop after DNA damage.
“We still need to see more research before we can understand what this means in humans, but this finding could change our understanding of how cancer starts, and lead to more powerful and precise ways of tackling cancer.”
By releasing this dataset to the wider scientific community, the researchers hope to accelerate discoveries in cancer evolution and treatment.
Here are our events for next week to help you #ReadToTheBeat and keep enjoying the summer holidays! All our events are free to attend, but make sure you book a place to our external workshops.
On Tuesday, it’s Karaoke time from 2pm! Emily will be helping you belt out your best songs in style.
On Thursday morning, we have spaces left for our superb workshop with Befana and Midnight, where you can learn about herbs, design recipes, and brew your own magical tea! This is aimed at ages 7-10 but younger children can participate in some of the event with parental help.
If you want to come along to this, please sign up on Eventbrite:
On Thursday afternoon, we will put E for Engineering in STEM. Learn about the construction and destruction of castles, help build one for the library, and test it out. This will run from 2-3pm.
We are fully booked for Jenny Laahs’ final Music Makers Club, but those who are signed up will be trying out keyboard instruments and playing some fun musical games.
Lastly, like every week, we have Junior Board Games from 2pm on Saturday. We’ve got lots of board games available to try out.
Remember that coming to any of these events will earn you a sticker for the #SummerReadingChallenge, which you can sign up for with your library card and parent.
Civil disobedience in Scotland has long been a method of achieving social change – from poll-tax sit-ins to the Glasgow Girls.
At Festival of Politics event ‘Civil disobedience – from rent strikes to Kenmure Street’ find out why so many of these events generate cultural expression like film and theatre.
Panellists include Katherine Mackinnon of Radical Glasgow Tours and @UofGlasgow , Tabassum Niamat of Bowling Green Together, journalist and broadcaster Paul English, and Glasgow Girl Cllr Roza Salih.
For nearly 14 years, East Lothian’s Foxlake Adventures has been a must-visit summer holiday destination, and this summer is hotting up to be the site’s best yet.
From Wakeboarding and Ringo rides to the obstacles of the Foxfall and Aqua Park, the site is the perfect place for an adventure with the whole family during the school holidays.
With a range of water-based activities guaranteed to get blood pumping, Foxlake’s updated schedule offers something for everyone this summer.
It’s not all adrenaline-fuelled adventure. The site has also established itself as a wellness hotspot, where visitors can recharge in the popular HotFox sauna, brave a cold plunge or enjoy a wild swim in the lake.
Competitive spirits can put their skills to the test on Foxlake’s Foxfall and Aqua Park obstacle courses, racing friends and family across land and water before the inevitable splash into the lake. For those craving even more speed, Ringo rides deliver an adrenaline-fuelled blast as riders cling on while being towed at high speed across the water.
Foxlake continues to be a local hub for Wakeboarding, and is home to expert instructors and some of the nation’s best riders. As the sport continues to grow, Foxlake champions inclusive participation, creating specialised sessions for beginners, experts, and groups.
In particular, Foxlake is championing the participation of women and children in the sport, creating unique events in partnership with Wakeboarding and Waterski Scotland. This July, Foxlake will play host to a female-only event, ‘She Shreds’, as well as a Wakeboarding day focused on youth involvement called ‘Little Ripples’.
These sessions follow on from June’s Ladies Night, an annual event in the Foxlake calendar, and are an important part in Foxlake’s mission to create opportunities for everyone to enjoy the range of water-based activities on offer.
Foxlake will also be introducing the Wakeboarding RiDE Competition Series for 2026, with riders competing to showcase their skills on the water on Saturday, 15th August.
The series of competitions will take place at Foxlake as well as Wild Shore Dundee, Wild Shore Delamere, and Wild Shore Blackpool.
James Barbour, Director of Foxlake Adventures, said: “Summer is here and we are very excited for our busiest period of the season.
“At Foxlake, we continue to grow the sport of Wakeboarding with some key partnerships that help open the sport to newer audiences, which remains a key goal of ours.”
Megan Hay, Site Manager at Foxlake Adventures, added: “With the school holidays underway and summer in full swing, we are gearing up for one of our busiest seasons yet at Foxlake.
“Our mission has always been to make adventure accessible to all, and our diverse lineup of activities ensures there is truly something for everyone to experience this year.”
To learn more about Foxlake’s array of offerings or to book your session, you can visit https://www.foxlake.co.uk/.
Police Scotland declares major incident as emergency services respond to wildfire near Nethy Bridge
Police Scotland has declared a major incident as emergency services continue to respond to the ongoing wildfire within the Cairngorms National Park.
The decision follows a significant change in weather conditions, with strengthening winds contributing to increased unpredictable fire behaviour and the spread of the wildfire towards Nethy Bridge.
As a precaution, all residents of Nethy Bridge are being evacuated to allow emergency services to continue their operational response safely and effectively. Residents are being directed to a dedicated respite centre at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort and access roads into Nethy Bridge have been closed.
Superintendent Judy Hill, Police Scotland, said: “The weather conditions experienced within the Cairngorms over the last 24 hours have added further complexities to this situation. With evidence suggesting the fire is spreading towards Nethy Bridge, the decision has been taken to declare a major incident and evacuate residents as a precaution.
“Additional police resources are being deployed to assist in contacting those who need to leave their properties and to maintain cordons around restricted areas while our fire service colleagues continue to tackle the wildfire.
“We understand this is a very concerning time for residents, businesses and visitors to the Cairngorms region. Please be assured that the multi-agency response remains fully committed to bringing this incident to a safe conclusion as quickly as possible.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has maintained a significant operational response since the wildfire was first reported on Wednesday, 15 July.
More than 500 firefighters have been mobilised over the course of the incident, alongside specialist wildfire appliances, all-terrain vehicles, helicopter water-bombing operations and partner agencies.
Firefighters continue to work across a vast and challenging landscape alongside Forestry and Land Scotland, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, landowners, estate gamekeepers and emergency service partners.
Their expertise, local knowledge and support have been instrumental in helping crews respond to this complex and dynamic incident.
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Kenny Barbour said: “Our firefighters, specialist resources and partners have worked tirelessly over the past nine days to respond to this challenging and complex wildfire incident.
“The combination of prolonged dry conditions, strengthening winds and challenging terrain has created an extremely complex operational environment. Large areas of the fire ground are inaccessible by vehicle or on foot, making helicopter water-bombing operations and specialist wildfire tactics essential to our response.
“Throughout this incident, partnership working has been fundamental. I would like to thank Forestry and Land Scotland, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, landowners, estate gamekeepers and our emergency service partners, whose expertise, local knowledge and continued support have been invaluable in helping us protect communities and the natural environment.
“More than 500 firefighters have been mobilised since the incident began, supported by specialist wildfire appliances, all-terrain vehicles, helicopters and partner agencies. We will continue to maintain a significant operational response for as long as it is required.
“We recognise this is an extremely worrying time for those affected, particularly residents who have been asked to leave their homes. Public safety remains our absolute priority, and we ask everyone to continue following the advice of Police Scotland and to stay away from the affected areas while firefighting operations remain ongoing.”
Members of the public should continue to avoid the affected areas within the Cairngorms National Park. The area remains unsafe due to active firefighting operations, rapidly changing fire conditions and helicopter activity.
The following areas remain closed or subject to access restrictions:
• Paths around Glenmore, Loch Morlich and Badaguish. • Low-level routes including the Old Logging Way and routes providing access to Cairngorm Mountain, the Northern Corries, Meall A’ Bhuachaille, the Green Loch (Lochan Uaine), Strath Nethy and Bynack More. • Paths within Abernethy Forest to the south of Forest Lodge towards Ryvoan Bothy. Residents are urged to follow all advice issued by Police Scotland and emergency services.
Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.
The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGORR) met last night to discuss the evacuation of Nethy Bridge after Police Scotland declared the Cairngorms National Park wildfire a major incident.
The meeting was chaired by First Minister John Swinney and attended by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Police Scotland, Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth, Justice Secretary Neil Gray and other Ministers and partners.
The First Minister said: “This is clearly a very serious situation and is a hugely concerning and anxious time for residents and businesses in Nethy Bridge, and my thoughts are with them.
“As a result of changes in wind conditions that intensified the pace of spread of the wildfire, Police Scotland declared a major incident requiring the evacuation of the village of Nethy Bridge as a precaution.
“SFRS resources are focussed on creating a fire break and additional police resources are being deployed to assist with the evacuation, including identifying vulnerable residents who may need extra support. Residents are being directed to a respite centre in Aviemore, where Highland Council can provide support and advice.
“I am extremely grateful to all the first responders who have been working hard to control this fire since it was first reported last Wednesday. I remain in continued contact with SFRS and partners and SGORR will convene again.
“This is a serious situation and I strongly urge people to continue to follow all advice from emergency services and transport authorities and continue to avoid the affected areas in the Cairngorms National Park.”
SATURDAY 25 JULY UPDATE
Resilience Room reconvenes to discuss ongoing incident
The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGORR) reconvened this morning at 7am to review the position on the Cairngorms National Park wildfire.
The meeting was chaired by First Minister John Swinney and attended by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Police Scotland, other partners, Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth and Justice Secretary Neil Gray.
A precautionary evacuation of Nethy Bridge began on Friday 24 July 2026 after Police Scotland declared a major incident following changes in wind conditions that intensified the pace of spread of the wildfire.
A fire break around the village was established overnight, new fire breaks are being constructed and SFRS is deploying additional resources.
The First Minister said: “This continues to be a very serious situation. Residents, businesses and people staying in the affected areas will understandably be very worried. My thoughts are with them and I thank them for their understanding.
“With the fire changing to be in the direction of Nethy Bridge yesterday afternoon, a precautionary evacuation was put in place and a fire break was successfully established overnight to protect the village. Police officers visited all properties in Nethy Bridge and officers are in the village today to support residents.
“The wind has changed direction overnight, which means the track of the fire has altered once again and the threat to Nethy Bridge has reduced, for the moment at least. Ground and helicopter resources are being focused on the current path of the fire and new fire breaks constructed.
“This demonstrates how these situations can change very quickly and dramatically, reflecting the challenges being faced by SFRS and the other responders tackling this wildfire. It does not mean however that anyone should return to that area until they have been given the go-ahead to do so. Further decisions will be taken later today by the Local Resilience Partnership and the Scottish Government Resilience Room will also reconvene.
“I remain extremely grateful to the emergency services and all those involved who are working tirelessly to control this fire and support local residents. I reiterate the message that people in the area must follow the advice of emergency services and the Cairngorms National Park – it is essential people avoid the affected areas.”
Sole traders and landlords earning more than £50,000 from their self-employment and property must send their first Making Tax Digital for Income Tax quarterly update by 7 August 2026
The quarterly update covers income and expenses for the first three months of the tax year.
The update takes minutes through recognised software and is not a tax return.
More than 864,000 sole traders and landlords signed up to Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax have just two weeks left before the deadline to submit their first quarterly update.
The update covers income and expenses for the first three months of the tax year. The deadline for submitting it to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is 7 August 2026.
The quarterly update is not a tax return. It is a short summary sent directly to HMRC through recognised software and takes minutes to complete.
Customers who have not yet signed up can still do so now by visiting GOV.UK, where they can also find software and access free guidance and webinars. If customers use an agent, they can sign them up instead.
Some software includes digital support tool HMRC Assist, which gives tailored feedback to help customers spot potential errors before submission. Customers remain responsible for ensuring their return is accurate.
After each update, users can see an estimate of their tax bill, helping them to plan ahead.
Craig Ogilvie, HMRC’s Director of Making Tax Digital, said: “This is a landmark moment for the tax system. Hundreds of thousands of sole traders and landlords are now keeping digital records and will be sending their first quarterly update in the coming weeks.
“For those already using software, this should be straightforward and take minutes. If you haven’t signed up yet, there is still time – visit GOV.UK and search ‘Making Tax Digital for Income Tax’ to get started.”
Making Tax Digital is now a legal requirement and customers in scope should check now that they are signed up, that their software is compatible and submit their update before the deadline.
It will extend to those earning more than £30,000 from April 2027, and to those earning more than £20,000 from April 2028.
The tax return deadline remains 31 January. Quarterly updates do not replace the tax return – customers will still need to submit their return and pay any taxed owed by the 31 January 2027.
CASE STUDY
“My first Making Tax Digital update was so easy – if they can all go this seamlessly, we’ll be set up for smooth sailing”
Natasha Patterson, 33, is a full-time potter based in Whitehead, County Antrim, and is already ahead of the game – she has submitted her first Making Tax Digital for Income Tax quarterly update weeks before the 7 August deadline.
She has been working as a potter since 2020 and opened her studio shop – Natasha Swan Ceramics – in 2023, where she specialises in functional wheel-thrown tableware including mugs, salt pigs and reed diffusers.
Like many small business owners, Natasha was not looking forward to a new tax obligation. She decided to submit early – just in case there were any issues along the way.
Natasha said: “I was expecting there to be some hurdles and I wanted to give myself time to work through any issues but was pleasantly surprised to find the process very smooth and straightforward.”
In the end, the submission itself took about ten minutes. Natasha had been adding receipts and updating her records throughout the quarter, so everything was ready to go when it came to submitting.
“I went back to check I did it right about three times, but it really was very straightforward.
“Everything made sense and was logical – it wasn’t overwhelming, even though it was all new to me.
“If they can all go this seamlessly, we will be set up for smooth sailing at the end of this tax year.”
One of the things she has valued most is being able to see a forecast of her tax bill straight away.
“It’s great to have a forecast of what I owe already, without mounds of paperwork. I feel more prepared knowing what’s expected of me in the coming months and also more confident going into the second quarter now knowing how straightforward the first submission was.”
Her message to other sole traders approaching their first update is straightforward. She said: “If you can complete your Self Assessment tax return, this is much easier. As far as tax submissions go, it was probably as pleasant as they come.”
