Cultural organisations across Edinburgh and the Lothians are being urged to get their funding applications in now as a pioneering programme that promotes collaboration between Scottish business and culture celebrates a decade of success, investing more than £2.8 million across 175 individual arts and heritage projects in the Lothians. Continue reading Call for new applications as Lothians benefit from over £2.8 million in business/arts partnership funding
Edinburgh’s brightest businesses and entrepreneurs have the chance to gain funding and support that could turn their innovative energy idea into a reality, after an accelerator programme opened for 2017 applications this week. Continue reading Edinburgh bright sparks wanted for ‘big energy ideas’
Princes Street’s famous Royal British Hotel has undergone a multi-million pound refurbishment and conversion to see it become a Hotel Indigo® branded property.
Continue reading The name game: the Royal British is now Hotel Indigo
Edinburgh businesses: energy inefficiency is having a significant impact on the profit line
Zero Waste Scotland is encouraging Edinburgh businesses to keep hold of their hard-earned profits by cutting out inefficient energy use. Continue reading Money to burn? It’s a waste of energy!
A small Edinburgh company which makes safe and stylish teething jewellery has won a social media competition run by Theo Paphitis, best known for his appearances on the BBC TV show, Dragon’s Den. Continue reading Edinburgh mum wins Dragon’s Small Business Award
‘ … we can turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities. Together, we can make this work.’ – Business Secretary Sajid Javid
The Westminster government is hoping speeches by Business Secretary Sajid Javid and Chancellor George Osborne will calm the international money markets as they open this morning. The pound has plunged since UK voted to leave the European Union, wiping £ trillions off the value of stocks and shares. Continue reading UK government moves to steady markets
A project to help bring experienced women back into the workplace after a career break is to be trialled in Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced. Continue reading Supporting women back to work
The city council is taking steps to ensure business disruption is kept to a minimum during the closure of the Forth Road Bridge. Continue reading Taking care of business during bridge closure
Small to medium sized businesses in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Scottish Borders are being reminded that there is still time to apply for vouchers, which could connect them to superfast broadband.
The scheme has helped 442 businesses in Edinburgh with superfast connections so far. To date there has been a lot of interest in the scheme and businesses are encouraged to apply before funds run out.
Funding for the project is part of the UK Government’s £150 million super connected cities programme being delivered locally by City of Edinburgh Council.
Vouchers are awarded to businesses to help cover the installation costs of connecting to superfast broadband services up to the value of £3,000. Businesses pay the VAT costs and the ongoing subscription.
To qualify for a voucher, organisations should be small to medium sized located in the City of Edinburgh Council area, have fewer than 250 employees and a turnover of less than £40m. Further information and an application form can be found here.
Cllr Frank Ross, Convener of the Economy Committee, said: “The vouchers will provide much needed financial assistance to small to medium sized businesses in the city who don’t already have a fast connection. We have worked hard to secure this opportunity for local businesses and I would strongly recommend those without a fast connection apply for a voucher as high grade broadband is more reliable, faster and it will make your business more efficient and competitive.”
Further information
Superfast broadband is defined as speed of at least 30 Megabytes per Second (Mbps) and ultrafast is defined 80 to 100+ Mbps.
‘ a real diamond route’ – Colin Keir MSP
Colin Keir MSP for Edinburgh Western has welcomed the announcement by Delta Airlines/Virgin that their joint venture will launch a new Edinburgh to New York service from May 2016.
Mr Keir said: “All new routes from Edinburgh are welcome as they boost employment and tourism opportunities, something that is vital to the Edinburgh and wider Scottish economy.
“With direct flights to New York, Edinburgh will link with the most influential global financial centre. Add to this the tourism potential and it makes this a real diamond route.
“Well done to Edinburgh Airport CEO Gordon Dewar and his team for securing this route and to Delta and Virgin for identifying Edinburgh as a positive destination.”
