Dobbies Edinburgh store will mark the start of its festive events season with the return of its late-night Christmas Shopping Night this November, in support of its National Charity Partner, Teenage Cancer Trust.
Dobbies’ Christmas Shopping Night, taking place on Thursday 21 November from 5pm to 9pm, is offering customers the chance to experience Christmas, in every sense, as it opens its doors for the popular late-night shopping event.
From fragrant tree displays, twinkling lights and eye-catching decorations, to the sounds of Christmas music and jingle bells, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and experience the magic of Christmas at Dobbies, while browsing its 2024 festive collections and taking advantage of special offers.
On arrival, guests will be greeted with a complimentary glass of fizz and invited to browse up until 9pm to experience Christmas, in every sense. Guests can enjoy some festive food treats and live demonstrations throughout the store, as well as enjoy a special two-course Christmas menu in the restaurant for just £17.
Local community groups can also apply to take part in the evening’s festivities by decorating their very own faux Christmas tree to be unveiled on the night. Entries are now open for schools, charities and community groups, with a number of stores selecting up to three groups to decorate their tree in time for Christmas Shopping Night. Selected groups will be invited to put on a special tree-side performance, with carols, readings and songs. The decorated trees will form part of Dobbies’ magical festive displays and remain on show in the store in the run up to Christmas.
Ayesha Nickson, Dobbies’ Events Programme Manager said: “Our annual Christmas Shopping Night is a fantastic way to get into the festive spirit, while contributing to a great cause. We have raised more than £1.39million for Teenage Cancer Trust since the start of our partnership.
“We’re excited to welcome local groups to take part in this year’s celebrations, including the unveiling of the specially decorated Christmas trees. You can also get your Christmas shopping off to a great start with special offers and gift ideas for all your family.”
Donna Bednarek, Senior Relationships Manager for Teenage Cancer Trust, added: “We are incredibly grateful to Dobbies for their ongoing support and dedication to raising vital funds for Teenage Cancer Trust.
“Events like the Christmas Shopping Night help us to continue to provide life-changing care and support to young people with cancer across the UK. We’re thrilled to be part of such a magical evening, and it’s heartwarming to see the community come together to support our cause.”
Tickets are priced at £1, available at www.dobbies.com and in-store, and all proceeds from ticket sales and fundraising on the night will be donated to Teenage Cancer Trust.
For more information on Decorate your Christmas Tree with Dobbies, visit: events.dobbies.com.
Explore Dobbies’ new season ranges and browse festive inspiration at www.dobbies.com.
Bright Red Triangle (BRT), the enterprise hub at Edinburgh Napier University (ENU), has agreed a significant new partnership with Queen Margaret University (QMU) and Edinburgh College (EC) which will offer entrepreneurial support to their students, graduates and staff.
The formal agreement, which is the first of its kind in Scotland, means more budding entrepreneurs will be able to use services such as advice, training, workshops, and opportunities to turn innovative ideas into business ventures.
The collaboration will also offer specialist support across each institution’s key areas of expertise – including wellbeing, health, food and drink, creative industries, tourism, design, engineering, construction, computing, and AI.
Since its formation in 2005, BRT has supported more than 1,000 start-ups and freelancers from the ENU community. They have access to the BRT Start Up Studio in Edinburgh, one-to-one support from business advisers, online and in-person training opportunities, and a wealth of contacts.
These services will now be extended to students, graduates and staff of QMU and Edinburgh College. In addition, the student and graduate communities will be able to use BRT services at their own institutions, providing those seeking support with more convenience and flexibility, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with entrepreneurs from the other institutions.
Over the last year BRT has appointed two Entrepreneurs-in-Residence – tech sector leader, Nigel Chadwick, and serial entrepreneur and chair of Women’s Enterprise Scotland (WES), Lynne Cadenhead. A new training collaboration with WES, which supports female-led businesses, has also been set up.
The agreement will aim to create a strong entrepreneurial network across the three institutions, in line with the Scottish Government’s National Innovation Strategy 2023-2033 and its Entrepreneurial Campus blueprint.
It is hoped the partnership will help support more people to follow in the footsteps of entrepreneurs like Lauren Leisk. The QMU graduate and founder for Fodilicious, a specialist food company producing the UK’s first low FODMAP certified products for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), has made the most of support services at QMU since graduating.
Lauren said: “I’m inspired by this latest move to partner with Bright Red Triangle, which has an international reputation for entrepreneurial support.
“Scotland needs better services which support women to develop as entrepreneurs – equipping them to navigate the business environment more quickly when they graduate.
“I think that this partnership will only improve support for talented people who harbour ambitions to run their own business. I’m certainly looking forward to accessing BRT services which will help me grow Fodilicious by identifying new routes to market.”
Professor Andrea Nolan, Principal and Vice Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, said:“We take great pride in the many examples of entrepreneurial spirit which have emerged from the Edinburgh Napier community in recent years.
“Bright Red Triangle has an impressive record of helping to transform innovative ideas into viable, difference-making businesses.
“We hope this agreement to extend BRT’s support to the QMU and Edinburgh College communities will offer a platform to more aspiring entrepreneurs, grow the networks of our enterprise hub and strengthen regional partnerships.”
Sir Paul Grice, Principal of Queen Margaret University, said: “We recognise the collaborative power that universities have in creating the entrepreneurs of the future and the impact of this on the economy, and we are pleased that the BRT partnership presents a unique interdisciplinary offering that ensures more students, graduates and researchers in Scotland have the opportunity to access an entrepreneurial education.
“By capitalising on BRT expertise and working collaboratively, we can create a cultural shift which helps more graduates to view entrepreneurship as a viable career path.
“This exciting partnership allows QMU to build on its long-term collaboration with Business Gateway East Lothian by harnessing BRT’s extensive expertise in entrepreneurial support and improving graduate skills and employability by stimulating entrepreneurial mindsets.”
Michael Jeffrey, Vice Principal of Edinburgh College said:“Equipping people with entrepreneurial skills as well as technical and vocational training is essential for preparing them to thrive in today’s dynamic economy.
“At Edinburgh College, we work collaboratively with a range of partners to ensure we are empowering students to not only excel in their chosen careers but to become the entrepreneurs and innovators of the future.
“We’re excited to be joining up with our university partners, through Bright Red Triangle, to tap into the wealth of entrepreneurial support available to students, staff and our wider college community, and provide increased opportunities to access business support and advice across the city.”
Ansvar Insurance is delighted to launch its search for three outstanding charities to support, offering a generous donation of £75,000 to each over the next three years.
They will be looking to support charities that focus on helping children and young people to make positive lifestyle choices. This could include promoting safety, sports and exercise, mental wellbeing, or healthy eating, and registered charities across Edinburgh are being invited to nominate.
From all the nominations received, three charities will be selected to benefit from funding, each receiving £25,000 per year for three years, starting in January 2025.
Charities interested in applying are asked to initially submit a short application explaining their work and how the funding would be utilised, whether that’s to support an ongoing project or one that is about to begin. Applications can be made directly via the Ansvar website – Programme of Giving 2024 – Ansvar.
Sarah Cox, Managing Director of Ansvar, the expert insurance provider for the charity, not-for-profit, care and faith sectors, commented:“As a specialist insurer for the charity sector, we witness the incredible work these organisations do every day. Our Programme of Giving is a way for us to give back and provide support, encompassing our Community Hub, which is free, bookable office space we offer to charities and not for profit organisations, our colleague volunteering and fundraising, and our three-year cycle of grant giving.
“Previously, we offered £45,000 over three years, but we understand that numerous challenges have made it harder for charities to meet the needs of the people they serve. As a result, we have increased our funding to £75,000 for each charity. We hope this will make a significant difference to their work and help them continue to support young people.”
Charities can nominate themselves via the Ansvar website from now until to Monday 4th November. The winning charities will be notified by Friday 13th December.
Ansvar is a member of the Benefact Group, a charity-owned specialist in financial services. As the UK’s third-largest corporate donor, the Benefact Group strengthens Ansvar’s dedication to supporting the wider charitable community.
New survey: government regulations causing spike in mental health problems in Edinburgh’s tourism sector
The Scottish self-catering industry highlights that Edinburgh-based operators report the highest levels of mental health issues in the country due the lingering threat of business closures.
A membership survey conducted by the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) shows that the Scottish Government’s short-term let regulations are causing a mental health crisis amongst small business owners.
In October 2024, around 450 operators were questioned by the trade body in an online survey as it continues to gather evidence around the impact of STL regulations.
Overall, around one-in-ten (11%) respondents said they had experienced no mental health issues as a consequence of regulatory changes.Incredibly, this figure drops to 0% in Edinburgh where the most stringent STL controls can be found.
The overwhelming sentiment is that the regulations have created financial strain, as well as increased anxiety and uncertainty, with sectoral discontent abundantly clear.
In terms of the key findings:
Across Scotland, over two-thirds (68%) had either experienced a ‘negative’ or ‘extremely negative’ impact on their mental health and wellbeing from recent regulatory changes;
This was particularly acute in Edinburgh where around 90% of operators had seen a negative or extremely negative impact; and
Edinburgh also had the highest number of extremely negative responses (46%).
The professional and personal strain is taking its toll. Several respondents highlighted the emotional toll, such as sleeplessness, anxiety, stress-related health issues, and feelings of helplessness, especially with the uncertainty of future income and business viability.
Many respondents also mentioned the high cost of compliance, administrative burdens, and delays in licensing applications, particularly for those relying on self-catering as their primary income.
These disturbing findings come as BiGGAR Economics published their independent analysis of the sector in Edinburgh. This showed it generated £154m in GVA and supported 5,580 jobs in 2023, while only having a negligible impact on housing with empty homes far outstripping the numbers of STLs.
Conscious to the issues facing small and micro businesses, the industry has attempted to work with national and local government to address the outstanding challenges to the regulatory framework but often to no avail. Edinburgh Council has now suffered a hat trick of legal setbacks, most recently with their u-turn over issuing three-month suspension notices.
Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, commented: “Running a small business can be a rewarding experience but the last few years have been gruelling with the pandemic and cost of living crisis bearing down on everyone.
“Our survey highlights widespread concern amongst Edinburgh’s self-catering sector, with a clear negative impact on mental health due to recent regulatory changes.
“What is causing particular anguish is the ominous threat that livelihoods will be snatched away due to heavy-handed government regulation, especially with the conflation of licensing and planning requirements.
“To compound matters, just as professional businesses have been shut down or are at threat of closure, we’ve seen a burgeoning black market of unlicensed accommodation, thereby undermining the entire purpose of the regulations.
“Well-managed short-term lets can easily coexist within communities while contributing meaningfully to local employment and the economy.
“As BiGGAR Economics have shown, STLs support over 5,500 jobs in Edinburgh alone yet are vastly outnumbered by the number of empty properties in the city. That is where the policy focus should be directed rather than scapegoating an industry for housing challenges.
“It has to be remembered that the very same individuals under the cosh have dedicated their working lives to ensuring the capital remains a welcoming and leading destination. Quite frankly, they deserve much better.”
A new safety campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of buying faulty and unsafe e-bikes, e-scooters and components such as batteries has been launched
New campaign urges public to buy safe e-bikes and e-scooters and avoid rogue online sellers
E-bike and e-scooter causing fires every two days according to London Fire Brigade
New Product Regulation Bill beginning work to tackle dangerous goods sold online
A new safety campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of buying faulty and unsafe e-bikes, e-scooters and components such as batteries has been launched today (Thursday 24 October).
The Department for Business & Trade’s new “Buy Safe, Be Safe” campaign has been designed to urge the public to buy safe e-bikes and e-scooters and avoid rogue online sellers.
E-bikes can be a cheap, healthy and modern method of travel throughout our towns and cities. However, unsafe e-bikes have resulted in hundreds of deadly fires and injured dozens of people across the UK. In 2023, the London Fire Brigade a fire every two days as a result of e-bike and e-scooter-related fires.
Many of these fires are caused by parts incompatible with e-bikes and scooters, as well as the purchase of defective or poorly manufactured parts sold by rogue online sellers.
The campaign focuses on three key areas encouraging consumers to only buy safe products from reputable sellers, only replace items with products recommended by the manufacturer and finally to seek professional help when converting or repairing e-bikes and e-scooters.
The Department is partnering with retailers, manufacturers as well as online marketplaces, trade associations, consumer groups and businesses to promote the campaign. Find out more about the campaign here.
Product Safety Minister Justin Madders said: E-bikes can be a great way to travel around the city, but we’ve all seen the tragic stories of unsafe e-bikes and e-scooters causing dangerous fires and taking lives.
“That’s why we’re urging everyone to check what you’re buying, check where you’re buying it from and ensure it’s safe to use.”
Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said: “E-bikes have transformed our urban areas by giving people an accessible and healthy way to travel, but this is being ruined by a handful of untrustworthy online retailers.
“These rogue sellers not only risk bringing defective and dangerous batteries into people’s homes, but undermine confidence in active travel as a whole.
“That’s why I’m delighted that we are launching this campaign to make sure that people have peace of mind buying e-bikes and e-scooters from reliable sources.”
Under current laws, e-scooters are banned on public land from use except in Government rental trial areas, while e-bikes are legal to use across the country but must not exceed an output of 250 watts or travel faster than 15.5 mph.
The public can expect to see an ongoing social media campaign including how-to video guides, as well as information materials being made available for retailers to use in stores and online to support consumers.
The campaign comes off the back of wider efforts to tackle dangerous goods being sold in online marketplaces. In September, the Government unveiled the new Product Regulation and Metrology Bill aimed at allowing the UK to take charge of its product regulations, boosting consumer safety and helping to further grow the economy.
The Bill will also address the sharp rise in safety concerns around e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries and how they are sold via online marketplaces. The Bill will enable Government to better protect consumers who have for too long been at the mercy of unscrupulous suppliers, holding sellers and the online marketplaces to account if they fail to meet their responsibilities.
And it will ensure products sold online or placed on the UK market are safe, while enabling market enforcement officials to clamp down on the sale of the product or the sellers where they are not.
London Fire Brigade’s Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection, Craig Carter, said: “E-bikes and e-scooters are a green and sustainable way to travel around our city. However, e-bikes and e-scooters can pose a significant fire risk and particularly the batteries used to power them have become one of London’s fastest-growing fire risks. They have destroyed homes and families have sadly lost loved ones in these fires.
“From our investigations, we know many of the fires we’ve attended have involved second-hand vehicles or the bike has been modified using parts bought online.
“At this time, there is not the same level of regulation of products for e-bikes and e-scooters sold via online marketplaces or auction sites when compared to high street shops, so we cannot be confident that products meet the correct safety standard.
“We understand that people are trying to save money, but if you spot a deal that looks too be good to be true, it probably is.”
Halfords Head of Quality, Chris Hall, said: “E-bikes offer numerous benefits for a healthier, greener commute. When e-bikes are purchased from reputable retailers, they’re properly certified and safe to use.
“Our priority is to ensure that everyone can enjoy the benefits of e-bikes without compromising on safety. The fire safety issues we’ve seen are linked to poorly manufactured, uncertified products typically bought online, as well as the use of incompatible components.”
Lesley Rudd, chief executive of consumer safety charity, Electrical Safety First said: “E-bikes, e-scooters and their batteries are generally safe when purchased from reputable manufacturers and used correctly.
“However, poor-quality products – often sold via online marketplaces – improper charging, or misuse can cause ferocious fires and pose a serious risk to the buyer. Safety starts with where you shop. Sticking to reputable sellers will provide confidence that your e-bike is safe and manufactured to a high standard.
“It’s equally as important to ensure you use a charger that is designed to be compatible with your battery to avoid the risk of overcharging which may destabilise the battery and lead to a fire.
“We also urge consumers considering converting their push bike into e-bike to source a high-quality kit and that it is installed by a competent professional.”
Inga Becker-Hansen, Product Safety Advisor at the BRC, said: “The popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters has greatly increased the number on our streets and in our homes. These products provide a convenient method of transport for many of us.
“However, consumers should ensure they purchase from reputable and responsible retailers, who will ensure that appropriate batteries are used and all necessary safety standards are met.
“We urge the public to follow government guidance and take appropriate storage and maintenance measures to ensure the safety and longevity of their purchases.”
For our information on buying safely, how to store your product safely and best practice for charging, you can also find more information from the London Fire Brigade’s #ChargeSafe campaign.
A 26-year-old man has been arrested and charged following an extensive investigation into a series of housebreakings and thefts across the Lothians and Borders.
The incidents took place in Tranent, Prestonpans, Galashiels, Selkirk, Livingston, Gorebridge and Stow, between Friday, 6 September and Thursday, 10 October, 2024.
The man has been charged in connection with a number of offences, including 13 housebreakings, four attempted housebreakings and five vehicle thefts.
He is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today – Tuesday, 22 October, 2024. Further enquiries remain ongoing.
Detective Inspector Debbie Duncan said: “Crimes of this nature have a serious impact on the victims, causing them to question the safety and security of their own homes, and I would like to commend the work of the officers investigating this crime series.
“I would also like to thank the various local communities for their assistance with our enquiries to date and reassure the public that any reports of criminality will be investigated thoroughly by Police Scotland.”
Rugby legend kicks off the appeal with tour of Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory in Edinburgh
Scotland rugby coach Gregor Townsend officially launched the Scottish Poppy Appeal 2024 today and said it was a “real privilege” to be involved.
The former Gala RFC player visited Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory at the Poppyscotland site in Edinburgh for a tour of the historical premises and took the opportunity to chat with staff about the importance of the charity.
Rugby legend Gregor, whose playing career spanned two decades for both club and country and included spells at Brive, Montpellier and Border Reivers to name a few, was highly impressed with Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory and the intricate work that goes into making the iconic Scottish poppies, wreaths and other symbols of Remembrance.
The former Scotland and British Lions star was also impressed to learn that Lady’s Haig Poppy Factory only employs disabled ex-service personnel, breaking down barriers for veterans who otherwise may struggle to find employment.
The charity also attracts dozens of volunteers of all ages, including those from the cadets and corps, who are all there to contribute to making a difference to the lives of both current and former members of the Armed Forces.
Gregor said: “It’s a real privilege to be here. Seeing veterans working, contributing like they did before. They enjoy what they do, knowing it is for a greater cause.
“On behalf of Scottish Rugby, we have a strong link with Poppyscotland and Remembrance. We wear poppies on our jerseys and the players really appreciate that link with history, especially playing our games throughout the month of November.
“Every year Poppyscotland supports hundreds of veterans and their families, helping them live life fully after service.
“Show them you care, wear a poppy. Your donation can change lives for our Armed Forces community.”
Head of Fundraising and Learning at Poppyscotland, Gordon Michie, said: “Wearing your poppy shows serving personnel, veterans, and their families, that their service and sacrifice means something to you, that it is appreciated and recognised. Importantly, it also shows that such service will never be forgotten.
“All funds raised will go to support our life-changing work, providing advice and welfare support to the Armed Forces community in Scotland.”
The Scottish Poppy Appeal is Scotland’s biggest fundraising appeal, with more than three million poppies already being distributed around the country.
The money raised from the Appeal has enabled Poppyscotland to help countless men, women and families with issues linked to their time in the Armed Forces or with struggles adjusting from military to civilian life.
People can find out more and support the Scottish Poppy Appeal at www.poppyscotland.org.uk.
Sight loss charity RNIB Scotland is celebrating 200 years of braille, the revolutionary writing system for blind and partially sighted people.
Developed by Louis Braille in 1824, it uses raised dots to represent letters, numbers, punctuation, and abbreviations. Braille has not only stood the test of time but continues to evolve, offering individuals with sight loss a vital means of communication, independence, and empowerment.
Jim McCafferty, a long-standing advocate for accessible formats who is originally from Glasgow but has spent most of his life in Edinburgh, reflects on his lifelong relationship with braille: “Braille has had a massive and very positive impact on my life, and to be perfectly honest, I really do not know how I could do without it. It has allowed me to enjoy an independent and varied life, both personally and professionally.”
Jim, who was registered blind at age three and first learned braille at the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh, went on to build a career in braille production and proofreading, working for over 40 years. His dedication to promoting accessible formats also saw him serve on the board of UKAAF (UK Association for Accessible Formats), where he edited the magazine Format Matters for nearly 11 years.
Reflecting on his experiences, Jim credits braille with being an indispensable tool that enables people with sight loss to remain engaged in daily life. “I use braille to keep my records up to date—whether it’s bank details, utility information, or passport numbers. I still read a lot, but if I want to ensure that information is kept confidential, I write it in braille.”
As a champion of braille, Jim highlights the urgent need for more braille teachers to ensure this essential skill continues to benefit future generations. “There just aren’t enough braille teachers. If more people could spread the word and teach this marvellous means of communication, more vision-impaired people—and even their sighted peers—would be encouraged to learn it.”
Jim also speaks of the evolving role of braille in the modern digital world. “In recent years, devices containing a braille keyboard and display have been developed, which has helped to promote the reading and writing system. What I find gratifying is the introduction of reasonably priced note-takers, such as the Orbit and Braille Me, making braille more accessible to people around the world.”
The anniversary of braille’s invention also provides an opportunity for sight loss organisations to come together and promote its importance. Jim states, “It is my firm belief that all organisations of or for vision impaired people should work together more closely. If this is done with braille, an excellent method of communication will have a great future—hopefully for the next 200 years.”
For those just starting their journey with braille, Jim offers some heartfelt advice: “Give learning braille all you’ve got. You don’t need to know the system intricately, but learning the alphabet and numbers will allow you to communicate and keep track of important information. It will help you maintain your independence and improve your life skills.”
The Civil Service Strollers who are based at Christie Gillies Park on Marine Drive are on their way to Ayrshire this Saturday as they take on Irvine Meadow in the 2nd round of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup (writes CHARLES LAING).
The Strollers have been in fine form this month, winning their last 4 games and moving up to 9th in the Scottish Lowland League after defeating Broxburn on Saturday.
They also beat Dalry Thisle also from Ayrshire to reach the 4th round of the South Scottish Challenge Cup – thanks in no small part to striker Mackie Scott, who bagged 5 goals in 3 games!
So it’s fingers crossed for a good result and one step closer to a final at Hampden Park versus Hibs or Hearts!
