The Scottish Business Taskforce of economic and business leaders came together on Friday to discuss ways to support some of Scotland’s most important sectors. The taskforce, announced by Scottish Secretary David Mundell last year, aims to exert a positive influence on the development of UK Government policy and in turn, advance Scotland’s interests. Continue reading The UK Government delivers for Scottish businesses, says the UK Government’s Scotland Office
Tag: business
City of Superheroes: Capital businesses join forces for Avengers opening weekend
To celebrate Edinburgh’s role in the most hotly anticipated film of the year, Avengers: Infinity War, businesses around the city are flexing their superpowers to get people assembling in the capital for the film opening.
This weekend, Scotland’s capital sees over forty businesses join forces to celebrate the movie release and transform Edinburgh into the City of Superheroes. Marvel fans can revel in a programme of events, discounts and special offers that will see your superhero squad enjoy everything from exclusive walking tours of the filming locations and special themed menus to spotting caped crusaders at every corner and even free travel for little superheroes in costume on Lothian Buses.
The super celebration is being led by Film Edinburgh, the organisation that facilitates film productions in the city, which sits within Marketing Edinburgh.
Rosie Ellison, Head of Film Edinburgh, said: “It’s been a year since Edinburgh’s streets were buzzing with A-list stars and Hollywood crew for the biggest production in the city to date, and we’re so excited for the film to finally hit the big screen.
“In celebration of the capital’s heroic role in the film, we’re transforming Edinburgh into the City of Superheroes this weekend. Across the city, businesses will be putting their own twist on the superhero franchise with everything from themed cocktails to caped mannequins and Marvel-ous lunch offers.
“Given that Edinburgh was the only location used during filming, we’re encouraging fans to come to the City of Superheroes to get the ultimate superhero experience. The weekend will be a great way to keep the excitement of the movie alive, even after you step out of the cinema screen.”
John Donnelly, Head of Marketing Edinburgh, said: “The City of Superheroes weekend is our way of celebrating Edinburgh’s role in the film and is another example of local businesses joining forces to create marvelling experiences for residents and visitors.
“The blockbuster third instalment of the Avengers franchise was filmed in Edinburgh for seven weeks in the Spring of 2017, and we’re honoured to be the only location outside of the Hollywood studio. The production saw the city’s historic Old Town transform with shop fronts altered and set props, including bus shelters and street lights, take position. We had over 400 crew members working on the shoot through the night with local businesses, residents and the council working collaboratively to make it happen.”
Joe Russo, Director of Avengers: Infinity War commented on his experience filming in Edinburgh during a special screening he held for local fans in Edinburgh earlier this month. He said: “I love this city, I’ve spent a lot of time here, it’s beautiful.
“I’m surprised it hasn’t been on film more, shocked frankly, because it’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world and at night it can take on a gothic feel. And we had a sequence we wanted with heightened tension and it was a perfect place to shoot that scene.”
Full details of what you can get up to during the City of Superheroes weekend can be found online at www.edinburgh.org/cityofsuperheroes. A location map that will help fans navigate their way around the city can be downloaded for free on the website.
City-of-Superheroes-Map-8-Final
Keep up-to-date with the City of Superheroes on social with the hashtag #CityofSuperheroes.
Participating members:
- AGA Edinburgh, 8-9 Drumsheugh Place, EH3 7PT
- Bar Salsa, 3 Cowgatehead, EH 1 1JY
- Barney’s Beer, 1 Summerhall Place, EH9 1 PL
- British Heart Foundation Stockbridge, 28-29 Raeburn Place, EH4 1HX
- British Heart Foundation West End, 85 Shandwick Place, EH2 4SD
- Cranachan & Crowdie, 263 Canongate EH8 8BQ
- Edinburgh Dental Studio, 6 Randholph Place, EH3 7TE
- Edinburgh Zoo, 134 Corstorphine Road, EH12 6TS
- Epicurean & Radisson Collection Royal Mile, 1 George IV Bridge EH1 1LL
- Forbidden Planet, 40-41 South Bridge, EH1 1AD
- Galaxy South Bridge, 47-49 South Bridge EH1 1AD
- Get Guided, Royal Mile, Edinburgh
- Gladstone’s Land, 477b Lawnmarket, EH1 2NT
- Haggis Adventures, 60 High Street, EH1 1TB
- Hilton Edinburgh Carlton, 19 North Bridge, EH1 1SD
- Hotel Du Vin, 11 Bistro Place, EH1 1EZ
- The Real Mary King’s Close – The Green Lantern Way, 2 Warriston’s Close, EH1 1TG
- Museum of Childhood, 42 High Street, EH1 1TG
- Principle Charlotte Square, Charlotte Square
- Printing Press Bar & Kitchen, 21-23 George Street, EH2 2PB
- Radisson Blu Royal Mile & Itchycoo Bar, 80 High Street, Royal Mile, EH1 1TH
- One Square, 1 Festival Square, EH3 9SR
- Strigicake, 1 East Preston Street, EH8 9QQ
- Subway Cowgate, 69 Cowgate, EH1 1JW
- The Assemble! Rooms, 54 George Street, EH2 2LR
- The Knight’s Vault, 102 West Bow, EH1 2HH
- The Whiski Rooms, 4-7 North Bank Street, EH1 2LP
- Waverley Mall, 3 Waverley Bridge, EH1 1BQ
- Lothian Busses Travel Shops a. 31 Waverley Bridge, EH1 1BQ, b. 11 Clifton Terrace, EH12 5DR, c. 27 Hanover Street, EH2 2DL
- Edinburgh Bus Tours, 31 Waverley Bridge, EH1 1BQ
- Odeon Wester Hailes, 120 Wester Hailes Rd, EH14 3HR
- Odeon Lothian Road, 118 Lothian Road, EH3 8BQ
- Cineworld, Fountain Park, EH11 1AF
- Camera Obscura & World of Illusion, 549 Castlehill, EH11 1AF
- City Cabs, see Edinburgh.org/cityofsuperheroes
- Mercat Tours, The Mercat Cross, High Street, EH1 1RF
- Hard Rock Cafe, 20 George Street, EH2 2PF
- Vue Edinburgh Ocean Terminal, Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre, Ocean Drive, EH6 6JJ
- The Place, 34-38 York Place, EH1 3HU
- The Edinburgh Press Club, 20-30 Cockburn Street, EH1 1NY
- Alex App, see Edinburgh.org/cityofsuperheroes
- Fountain Court, 121 Grove Street, EH3 8AA
- Cuckoo’s Bakery, 150 Dundas Street, Edinburgh, EH3 5DQ and 116 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4ES
Salaries on the rise?
UK Advertised Salaries Grow In Every UK Region
- UK average advertised salaries up– currently sitting at £33,646; up 3.5% year-on-year
- Every region in the UK showed year-on-year salary growth
- Total advertised vacancies at 1,104,236 – down 8.3% over six months
- Graduate salaries stutter– advertised salaries declined 12.1% over 12 months to £21,400
- Energy salaries light up – typical sector pay up 10.8% annually to £40,640.
Average UK advertised salaries have increased in the last 12 months, up 3.5% to £33,646, according to Adzuna.co.uk. Growth in advertised wages is in evidence in every on of the 12 UK regions. Continue reading Salaries on the rise?
Edinburgh Napier welcomes young entrepreneurs at awards ceremony
More than 150 bright young minds from across Edinburgh and the Lothians came together last week to celebrate entrepreneurial success. Continue reading Edinburgh Napier welcomes young entrepreneurs at awards ceremony
Just one month left to apply to new entrepreneurial support scheme
As the close date nears for applications for a new entrepreneurial support scheme, Edinburgh MSP Gordon Macdonald is pushing the call to all ambitious talented entrepreneurs looking to start up a business in Scotland to apply to the new programme. Continue reading Just one month left to apply to new entrepreneurial support scheme
Uncertainty weighs on Scottish business confidence, according to regional Business Barometer report
The Bank of Scotland’s Business Barometer for March 2018 shows:
- Overall confidence for firms in Scotland fell 23 points last month to 12 per cent
- Firms’ confidence in their own business prospects was 18 per cent
- Economic optimism remains positive but now stands at just five per cent
- A net balance of 10 per cent of Scottish firms now expect to hire more staff this year
Business confidence in Scotland fell 23 points to 12 per cent in March, according to the latest Business Barometer from the Bank of Scotland. Continue reading Uncertainty weighs on Scottish business confidence, according to regional Business Barometer report
Good VIBES for Edinburgh businesses
Businesses in Edinburgh are being urged to act now to embrace the economic opportunity of sustainability by the VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards.The leading environmental awards underlined the need for urgent action to address the environmental challenges currently faced as well as highlighting the potential business benefits which this can deliver. Continue reading Good VIBES for Edinburgh businesses
Nearly half of Scottish firms are struggling to hire skilled staff
- Two in five local employers are struggling to recruit skilled staff and 41% have seen increased staff turnover since the EU Referendum
- Businesses report this is impacting their growth and expansion efforts
- To solve the crisis more than half are planning on recruiting more apprentices and many are engaging with education providers
More than a two fifths (44%) of Scottish firms are reporting difficulty recruiting skilled staff, and 41% have seen increased staff turnover since June 2016, according to a new employment and skills study from Lloyds Banking Group and London business membership organisation, London First. The study sought to analyse the impact of Brexit on business recruitment and access to skills across the UK. Continue reading Nearly half of Scottish firms are struggling to hire skilled staff
Full speed ahead for Martina’s low-carbon dream!
Edinburgh Napier graduate on fast track to success after funding boost
An Edinburgh Napier graduate is paving the way for low-carbon innovation after being accepted into a prestigious Europe-wide programme. Martina Zupan, who studied product design at the University before setting up her own business aimed at reducing plastic pollution, was delighted to discover her start-up made it on to the Climate-KIC Accelerator scheme. Continue reading Full speed ahead for Martina’s low-carbon dream!
Scottish businesses plan jobs boost as confidence rises, says Business Barometer report
Bank of Scotland’s Business Barometer for February 2018 shows:
- Overall confidence for firms in Scotland rose 17 points during February to 35 per cent
- Economic optimism in the region stood at 33 per cent, 20 points above last month
- Job creation increased by 23 points to 27 per cent compared to January









