Category: Wester Hailes

Wester Hailes Post Office opens at new location

SAME SHOPPING CENTRE, EXTENDED OPENING HOURS

  • Opens at Plaza News, Unit 23-26 Upper Ground Floor Level, Westside Plaza, Edinburgh, EH14 2SW
  • Monday to Saturday: 9am – 5.30pm
  • 51 hours of Post Office service per week
  • Branch now open Saturday afternoons
  • Experienced father & son postmasters
  • One of UK’s first new-look Post Offices

Wester Hailes Post Office opened yesterday (7/10) at a new location – Plaza News, Unit 23-26 Upper Ground Floor Level, Westside Plaza, Edinburgh.

Wester Hailes Post Office, which had been directly managed by Post Office, has new franchise owners – father and son, Mohammed and Aamir Arshad.

The branch is still within Westside Plaza. It has however moved to Plaza News, a hardware and convenience store, based in this shopping centre since 2016. 

Previously, Mohammed and Aamir ran Whitecraig Post Office and off-licence store in Musselburgh for six years.

Post Office Limited recently announced it is moving to a fully franchised network, as part of our wider commitment to deliver a “New Deal for Postmasters”.

Over 99% of the Post Office network is already successfully operated on a franchise basis by carefully selected retail partners. We are confident this would create a long-term, sustainable future for post offices in communities across the UK, including Wester Hailes.

Wester Hailes Post Office is one of the first branches in the country using new colours and format for a new look and feel for today’s modern world. There is more internal signage which informs customers of the three key services we perform: Banking, Mails and Travel. 

Wester Hailes Post Office has two open plan serving positions at the retail counter. The same full range of services are still available, including an internal ATM.

The opening hours are Monday to Saturday: 9am – 5.30pm. This is an extra 5 hours and 30 minutes of Post Office service a week including Saturday afternoon and earlier opening on a Tuesday morning than previously offered for the convenience of customers.

The shopping centre car park has dedicated disabled parking bays on upper level where the new branch is located.

Have you seen Aisika?

14 YEAR OLD GIRL MISSING FROM WESTER HAILES

POLICE are appealing for information which could help trace a missing 14-year-old girl from Edinburgh.

Aisika Arnautu who is from the Wester Hailes area of the city, was reported missing on Saturday, 27 September.

Enquiries so far have established that she has been in Aberdeen from around Friday, 19 September and subsequently travelled to Glasgow city centre on Saturday, 27 September.

She may have been travelling using public transport and enquiries are ongoing to establish her exact movements.

Aisika is described as being white, 5ft 4in tall with long brown hair. It isn’t known what she would be wearing but she is thought to wear large hoop style earrings.

Chief Inspector Ran Macdonald said: “We are concerned for Aisika’s welfare and would urge anyone who may have information to come forward.

“She is thought to have travelled extensively in the past few weeks across Scotland so I would urge anyone who thinks they may have seen her or spoken to her to get in touch.

“If you can help, you can call 101 quoting reference 3254 of 27 September, 2025.”

Coming Soon: Local Resistance

Something exciting is coming! Keep your eyes peeled for more information!

FILM HUB SCOTLAND are proud to support LOCAL RESISTANCE, a programme of local film screenings curated by – and for – communities in Wester Hailes, Muirhouse, Craigmillar and Leith.

WHALE Arts‘s touring programme will celebrate local stories of self-organising and solidarity across Craigmillar NowNorth Edinburgh ArtsThe CrannieDuncan Place LeithWHALE Arts. And just look at these beautiful posters 😍

✨ Get tickets: whalearts.co.uk/local-cinema/

👉 Read our interview with Local Resistance coordinator, Morvern Cunningham: http://filmhubscotland.com/…/the-local-cinema-network…/

Wester Hailes Post Office: October move confirmed

  • Move to Plaza News, Unit 23-26 Upper Ground Floor Level, Westside Plaza
  • Monday to Saturday: 9am – 5.30pm
  • 51 hours of Post Office service per week
  • Branch would open on Saturday afternoons
  • Experienced postmasters

Post Office has agreed to relocate Wester Hailes Post Office in October to a new location – Plaza News, Unit 23-26 Upper Ground Floor Level, Westside Plaza, Edinburgh, EH14 2SW.

Wester Hailes Post Office, which is currently directly managed by Post Office, will be run by our new retail franchise partner at the new location within the same shopping centre. 

Father and son, Mohammed and Aamir Arshad have run Plaza News, a hardware and convenience store, since 2016. Previously they ran Whitecraig Post Office and off-licence store in Musselburgh for six years.

The current branch at 14A Westside Plaza will close on Monday 6 October at 5.30pm, with the new branch opening, at Plaza News on Tuesday 7 October at 1pm.

Post Office Limited recently announced it is moving to a fully franchised network, as part of our wider commitment to deliver a “New Deal for Postmasters”.

Over 99% of the Post Office network is already successfully operated on a franchise basis by carefully selected retail partners. We are confident this would create a long-term, sustainable future for post offices in communities across the UK, including Wester Hailes.

After careful consideration of the feedback received during consultation, we remain confident that the layout and location of the new branch will continue to meet customer needs and deliver an excellent service, whilst securing the long-term viability of Post Office services in the local community.  

The same range of services will still be available, including an internal ATM.

The opening hours will be Monday to Saturday: 9am – 5.30pm. This will be an extra 5 hours and 30 minutes of Post Office service a week including Saturday afternoon and earlier opening on a Tuesday morning than currently for the convenience of customers.

Wester Hailes Post Office will have two open plan serving positions at the retail counter.

There is a car park at the shopping center with dedicated disabled parking bays on upper level where the new branch will be located.

Current Post Office employees have the opportunity to TUPE across to continue to work at the relocated branch.

Attempted murder in Wester Hailes: Man to appear in court

A 25-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with attempted murder and possession of a firearm in Wester Hailes.

The incident occurred on Thursday, 24 July, 2025 on Hailesland Gardens, Edinburgh around 3.40pm.

The 25-year-old is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow – Friday, 15 August, 2025.

Two arrested and charged for drug offences in Edinburgh

Two people have been arrested in connection with drugs offences in Edinburgh.

Around 11.30am on Friday, 8 August, 2025, officers stopped and searched a 21-year-old man in Hailesland Grove, who was found in possession of cannabis.

Further enquiries led officers to a car parked nearby where officers recovered quantities of Cocaine and Heroin. The estimated value of the drugs is more than £74,000.

Officers also searched two addresses in the Wester Hailes and Pilton areas of Edinburgh with a quantity of cash being recovered from one of the addresses.

A man and woman, both aged 21, have been arrested and charged in connection with drugs offences.

They are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 11 August, 2025.

Detective Sergeant John Dunn said: “We work tirelessly to remove illegal drugs from communities every day and remain committed to disrupting the activities of those who supply drugs.

“We cannot tackle this issue alone and would urge the public to continue supporting us in building intelligence about the possession and supply of drugs by contacting Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Wester Hailes shooting: Second man arrested as enquiries continue

A 25-year-old man has been arrested following an investigation into the discharge of a firearm.

The incident occurred at around 3.40pm on Thursday, 24 July, 2025 on Hailesland Gardens, Wester Hailes.

A 23-year-old man was treated in hospital for arm injuries sustained during the incident.

A 36-year-old man was also previously arrested in connection with the incident, but was subsequently released.

Enquiries are ongoing.

New affordable housing development taking shape in Wester Hailes

WORK is well underway on the Wester Hailes development, marking a key step forward in the Council’s long-term vision to transform the area.

Located at the former Wester Hailes Health Centre site at 7 Murrayburn Gate, the Council has appointed CCG (Scotland) Ltd to deliver 73 net-zero carbon homes.

The development will offer a mix of one, two and three-bedroom flats – all affordable housing, with five properties designed to be wheelchair accessible.

It will also include a central recreational space with play facilities, a rain garden, structured landscaping, private gardens and terraces, and excellent access to pedestrian and cycle routes.

As part of a wider regeneration initiative, the project aims to support the creation of a model 20-minute neighbourhood – where residents can access work, education, shops, and services within a short walk or cycle from their homes.

Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Lezley Marion Cameron said: “I am delighted to see the work progressing on our ambitious plans to transform Wester Hailes into one of Edinburgh’s 20-minute neighbourhoods.

“I also warmly welcome the direct benefits to local people which this development will deliver in terms of employment and training opportunities.

“These new homes at Murrayburn Gate will deliver much-needed high-quality, net-zero carbon housing and provide improved access to green spaces and community services – all essential attributes of thriving and inclusive local communities, and reflective of our efforts to address Edinburgh’s ongoing Housing Emergency.”

CCG Managing Director, David Wylie, said: “We are delighted to have commenced construction at Murrayburn Gate – another example of how the City of Edinburgh Council and CCG are working together to address localised housing needs and demand across the city region.

“The development is set to have a positive impact on the Wester Hailes community, not only through the delivery of high-quality, highly energy efficient homes, but also by job creation, various training opportunities, and localised charitable investment . I look forward to seeing how the development progresses over months ahead, as we work towards full completion in late-2026.”

As part of the project, CCG will deliver a broad programme of community benefits throughout the EH14 postcode area and beyond, in partnership with the Council. These include employment and training opportunities, as well as support for local initiatives during the construction phase.

Man arrested and charged following Calder Road drugs recovery

A 39-year-old man has been arrested and charged following the recovery of drugs with an estimated street value in excess of £347,760, in South West Edinburgh.

Around 12pm on Wednesday, 9 July 2025, officers acting on information received searched a flat in Calder Road where they found a cannabis cultivation.

The man was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday and a report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Proposed move for Wester Hailes Post Office

  • Move to Plaza News, Unit 23-26 Upper Ground Floor Level, Westside Plaza, Edinburgh, EH14 2SW
  • Monday to Saturday: 9am – 5.30pm
  • 51 hours of Post Office service per week
  • Branch would open on Saturday afternoons
  • Experienced postmasters

Post Office is proposing to relocate Wester Hailes Post Office to a new location – Plaza News, Unit 23-26 Upper Ground Floor Level, Westside Plaza, Edinburgh, EH14 2SW.

Wester Hailes Post Office, which is currently directly managed by Post Office, would be run by our new retail franchise partner at the new location within the same shopping centre. 

Father and son, Mohammed and Aamir Arshad have run Plaza News, a hardware and convenience store, since 2016. Previously they ran Whitecraig Post Office and off-licence store in Musselburgh for six years.

Post Office Limited recently announced it is moving to a fully franchised network, as part of our wider commitment to deliver a “New Deal for Postmasters”. Over 99% of the Post Office network is already successfully operated on a franchise basis by carefully selected retail partners.

We are confident this would create a long-term, sustainable future for post offices in communities across the UK, including Wester Hailes.

The same range of services would still be available, including an internal ATM.

The opening hours would be Monday to Saturday: 9am – 5.30pm. This would be an extra 5 hours and 30 minutes of Post Office service a week including Saturday afternoon and earlier opening on a Tuesday morning than currently for the convenience of customers.

Wester Hailes Post Office would have two open plan serving positions at the retail counter.

There is a car park at the shopping center with dedicated disabled parking bays on upper level where the proposed branch would be located.

Current Post Office employees have the opportunity to TUPE across to continue to work at the relocated branch.

Consultation will close on 13 August. Customers can share their views during the consultation online at postofficeviews.co.uk with the branch code 018824.

Submissions can also be made via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk, by post to Freepost YOUR COMMENTS, or by telephone 03452 66 01 15 or Textphone 03457 22 33 55.