STERLING HOME LAUNCHES FESTIVE SEASON WITH FREE FESTIVE EVENTS TO CREATE THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS
Sterling Home has today launched a free festive programme of events, inviting shoppers into their Edinburgh store to curate the perfect Christmas at home with fun-filled workshops featuring some of Scotland’s most loved brands.
Free tickets for all Edinburgh events available HERE.
Sterling Home’s festive workshops will invite guests into their Edinburgh store for a series of interactive events to curate a truly creative Christmas this year.
The workshops will allow guests to fully embrace the festive season and turn their attention to all things merry, bright and of course … stylish.
Partnering with Scotland’s favourite florists, MUD, the store will host a free Festive Wreath Workshop on Saturday 19th November.
Guests will have the chance to create their very own personalised fresh Christmas wreath, assisted by expert florists from MUD. The ultimate in festive fun, MUD’s Festive Wreath workshop will see guests customise their own wreath, creating the perfect front door accessory this Christmas time.
Next up, Scottish foodie sensation HomeMade will host a Festive Grazing Board workshop – the ultimate addition to any cosy Christmas night in this winter.
Taking place Saturday 19th November from 3 – 4.30pm, the eatery will bring a taste of HomeMade to Sterling Home’s beautiful surroundings.
Showing guests how to curate the tastiest in festive sharing platters, the Festive Grazing Board Workshop is a must for anyone preparing to host family and friends this festive season.
Sterling Home and HomeMade will ensure foodies have all the tools they need to create impressive and indulgent platters at home this Christmas.
The finale of the Sterling Home festive events series will see Scottish calligrapher Laila Lettering host a Festive Calligraphy workshop, teaching guests how to perfect their gift tags and place settings this festive season.
Taking place Sunday 27th November from 12pm – 1pm, Christina Lessani, owner of Laila Lettering, will guide guests through the basics of modern calligraphy to create their own personalised gift tags – the perfect final touch for elegant gift-giving this Christmas.
The ‘Sterling’ line-up of local events will make for the perfect festive day out in the capital this December. Shoppers can get truly into the Christmas spirit with a stroll around Sterling Home Edinburgh’s Christmas Store, browsing everything from top quality ornaments, baubles and wreaths, before stopping off at the store’s Cobb Cafe to heat up with a decadent hot chocolate or coffee.
Shoppers can take inspiration from Sterling Home’s key style collections, perusing the store for everything from wall art and accessories to soft furnishings, home styling and of course, a Christmas wonderland of decorations. Welcome to the home of inspiration!
Andy Lachlan, Store Manager at Sterling Home Edinburgh said: “‘Tis the season here at Sterling Home in Edinburgh, and we’re thrilled to launch our free festive events with the support of such beloved Scottish businesses like MUD, HomeMade and Laila Lettering.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming guests in store, whether they’d like to learn how to present the perfect grazing board on Christmas Day or create a Christmas wreath they’d be proud to display – Sterling Home has something for everyone.”
Caitlin Hutton, Owner of HomeMade said:“We’re so excited to collaborate with Sterling Home for fun festive events in the capital this Christmas season and show guests how to make delicious grazing boards their friends and family will love!
“Whether you’re in charge of the Christmas Day spread or simply want to take your Christmas night in with friends to the next level – we’ll show you how to create the perfect sharing boards in simple, easy to follow steps. And best of all – you’ll have the most delicious grazing board to enjoy at the end of the workshop! We’ll see you there!”
Sterling Home Edinburgh’s festive workshops are part of a nationwide programme of events, designed to curate the perfect Christmas with events running in Aberdeen and Glasgow.
Free tickets for all Edinburgh events available HERE.
Keep up to date with Sterling Home and more upcoming events on social media:
The spectacular Beecraigs Festive Forest is back bigger and brighter than ever with even more extravagant lighting effects and one of the UK’s most powerful laser shows.
This year the team behind the awesome illuminations deep in the woods near Linlithgow is 21CC Group, one of the UK’s leading light and production companies. And their unrivalled expertise has created the perfect Christmas treat – a magical experience for all the family.
Beecraigs, the original festive forest event, broke all records last year and already has sold-out nights for their 2022 event run.
Located in Beecraigs Country Park, with panoramic views of the Forth bridges, Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife, the Festive Forest is not only the ultimate Christmas family feelgood event but those attending will also be helping Maggie’s cancer support charity, Beecraigs’ charity partner.
The illuminated trail is a spectacular 1.8m walk through woodland, packed with stunning visuals and sound effects. It opens on December 2 and runs until December 23, 4 pm to 10 pm (the first entry is from 4 pm with the last entry at 8:30 pm) and is suitable for everyone and all age groups, including those with Additional Support Needs and Autism Spectrum Disorder. All carers’ tickets are free.
The event also features the delightful Santa’s Grotto and Storytelling Experience, not included in the Trail ticket and required to be booked separately in advance.
And there is a host of other attractions: The longest light tunnel in Scotland, Radio Forth’s Silent Disco, Cala Homes’ live music stage with DJ, musicians, choirs and carol singers; fire performers, stilt walkers and jugglers, some favourite festive characters, market stalls, children’s amusements and fair rides including a carousel, helter-skelter, Candy Cane bungee jumps, Crazy Elf cars and a new mini polar express!
A wide variety of festive food and drink is available in the new Santa village too, including all the seasonal favourites from hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows to mulled wine, hot cider, tea and coffee, Scottish street food as well as festive fizz and beers.
Roy Snedden, Director of Rowen Events, said: This year we’ve really pulled out all the stops for a fabulous festive treat and made it bigger, brighter and bolder than ever before.
“It’s always the most magical time of the year but we want to make it a truly unforgettable experience for everyone – that’s why we are working with 21CC Group and supporting the wonderful Maggie’s who deserve a really significant gift for the tremendous work they do all year round.
“We’re hoping all our visitors will be as generous as they can and help us spread the real spirit of Christmas.”
For more information on the Festive Forest and to book tickets, visit:
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at St James Quarter! The festive season kicks off with the official ‘Christmas Light Switch On’, hosted by Forth One’s Boogie and Arlene tomorrow (Thursday, 10 November) from 6pm.
Taking place on Register Square, the dazzling event is open to the public and free to attend, with representatives from charity partners, Cash 4 Kids and Deaf Action, set to push the big red button and light up The Quarter for Christmas.
St James Quarter’s retailers are also getting involved by revealing their glitzy Christmas window displays to accompany the 40 glowing star sculptures that will give an explosion of gold sparkle throughout the galleria for shoppers to admire. The Edinburgh Rock Choir will also be spreading Christmas cheer by taking to the stage and singing loud for all to hear.
This Christmas St James Quarter has donated over £6,000 worth of prizes to the Forth One Boogie in the Morning Supervan campaign which raises vital funds to support children who are disadvantaged by poverty, the rise in living costs and trauma.
The contents of the Supervan will mean the winner’s Christmas shopping is complete with a variety of experiences and goodies from businesses across Scotland.
The donations from The Quarter include a £500 gift voucher, a 12-month Sky Q TV subscription, dinner for four at Maki Ramen, a year’s membership at Everyman plus many more.
The text lines to enter will be open from 06:00 – 10:00 on Friday 11th November, for further details tune into Forth One Boogie in the Morning.
Nick Peel, Managing Director at St James Quarter, said: “There is no better way to mark the beginning of the festive season than joining our charity partners to switch on the shimmering stars throughout the Galleria.
“This year we are also joined by Boogie and Arlene who will no doubt be singing along to the Edinburgh Rock Choir. As the past few years have shown, this time of year is about bringing people together and enjoying the Christmas spirit. We look forward to welcoming our guests and filling St James Quarter with festive joy”.
-Morrisons festive TV ad puts food, farmers and its own foodmakers at the heart of Christmas-
-Stars real Morrisons colleagues alongside Farmer Christmas who swaps sleigh for tractor-
-Launches ‘Officially Approved By Farmer Christmas’ stamp-
-Debuts on Good Morning Britain on 7th November-
Morrisons is bringing back Farmer Christmas for the second year running as part of its latest Christmas campaign.
The character was so well received by customers last year*, that Morrisons is building on that success. Farmer Christmas has been integrated throughout the whole of this year’s campaign to highlight the great quality and value of Morrisons festive range, with his ‘seal of approval’ the common thread throughout.
The 60 second TV ad, created with Publicis•Poke showcases the other hero of Christmas as Morrisons once again illustrates the work British farmers do to help make Christmas so special.
The spotlight is also on Morrisons own colleagues – many of whom feature in the ad – who are the “real life elves” who help make more than half the fresh food that Morrisons sells.
The ad follows Farmer Christmas, who we hear speak for the first time in his rich Welsh brogue, as he travels across his fields on a tractor to his festive workshop.
There we see Morrisons ‘elves’ hard at work preparing festive dishes made by Morrisons. Farmer Christmas introduces a Morrisons baker creating puff pastry mince pies in “magic ovens” (or normal ovens, as the baker clarifies), a fishmonger showing off smoked Scottish salmon, and a butcher who passes Farmer Christmas a traditionally glazed gammon joint, which he describes as being “like a big edible Christmas present”.
Viewers then follow Farmer Christmas as he travels on his tractor to deliver a festive feast to a family, before cheekily inviting himself to sit down and join them.
The ad finishes with Farmer Christmas proudly explaining that Morrisons is the “only supermarket to be officially approved by me” because of its commitment to British farming, its food makers and its great value Christmas products. The ‘Officially Approved By Farmer Christmas’ stamp will be seen throughout the festive campaign in store and across paid media.
While the ad kicks off the festive season in Morrisons, some Christmas products have been on the shelves since mid-September to help customers spread the cost of this year’s festivities.
Other recent activities that have been introduced to help customers with the cost of living include cutting and then freezing the prices of 150 of the most popular products, the introduction of exclusive offers to My Morrisons members and the continuation of the Kids Eat Free All Day initiative in Morrisons cafés.
In the coming days, Morrisons Christmas Collector scheme will go live for eligible My Morrisons members enabling them to receive a significant money-off voucher to spend at Christmas if they meet the criteria and shop in the relevant weeks.
Rachel Eyre, Morrisons Chief Customer and Marketing Officer, said: “We know that customers are having to manage their budgets closely at the moment but they have told us they don’t want to compromise on the Christmas meal.
“We’ve brought Farmer Christmas back this year to show them the food and great prices that, thanks to Morrisons foodmakers and farmers, will be available throughout the festive period, all stamped with his seal of approval.”
Dave Monk, Publicis•Poke Executive Creative Director, said: “Farmer Christmas is back. This year with a twinkle in his eye and a tractor to match.
“As the authority on Christmas food, with a mouth full of his own wisdom and a sack full of Morrisons mince pies, he’s here to remind us all that the most precious moments at Christmas are the ones we spend around the table with our family, and that the presents on our tables make Christmas just as special as the presents under the tree.”
The ad was directed by Frank Todaro of Moxie Pictures and will launch on TV during Good Morning Britain on Monday 7th November, followed by network TV spots that include Coronation Street, Bake Off, I’m a Celebrity and Goggle Box. It will also be shown in cinemas throughout the festive period.
The wider campaign will run across radio, press, digital display, social media and out of home bringing Farmer Christmas to streets, as well as screens, across the UK.
This ad is the first in a series of ten Christmas TV ads showcasing Morrisons fresh food and festive deals to tie in with the World Cup as well as the Christmas period.
Dog-friendly grottos included in festive line-up in Edinburgh
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is welcoming families in Edinburgh to its unmissable, great-value Santa’s Grotto experience.
This year, kids are invited along to enjoy an immersive visit to the grotto where it will be love at frost sight with the elves taking visitors through a magical woodland, spotting reindeer, rabbits and forest creatures along the way. Children will become Santa’s little helpers, participating in various activities revealed during their visit.
After lending a helping hand, children will then get to meet Santa himself and receive a special gift. Families can also opt in to purchase a picture of their child with Santa, creating memories to last forever. Santa’s Grotto will be available in Edinburgh from 24 November.
Dobbies’ Quiet Grotto experience returns this year on 9 December to support children with special needs. Sound and visual elements are adapted to reduce anxiety and ensure every child has an opportunity to meet Santa and his elves.
If you’re looking to get the whole family involved, Dobbies’ Edinburgh store will also offer a Santa Paws grotto experience where dog lovers can bring their pups to see Santa, with a special doggie gift and photo opportunity available. Child tickets can be added to make it a full family experience.
Dobbies’ Partnership and Events Manager, Sarah Murray, said: “Meeting Santa is an important part of Christmas and we’re looking to make this inclusive for all, with quiet and dog-friendly events available in our Edinburgh store.
“We can’t wait to bring the magic of Christmas to life for our customers!”
Advance booking for Dobbies’ Edinburgh Christmas events are recommended to avoid disappointment. All grotto prices have been held, with no price increases.
Customers have the opportunity to make a donation to Dobbies’ national charity partner, Teenage Cancer Trust, when booking online:
The Pensioners Christmas Party was the social event of the year for the Doocot’s senior citizens. The Big Do(o), if you like.
Call him a bad-tempered auld bastard -and many did! – but Big Dick knew how to put on a do for his regulars – and it was all free.
Soup, turkey and all the trimmings, Christmas pudding followed by tea and coffee was the menu every year, all prepared by Dick’s wife Maggie with the help of Doocot staff.
And if the food was good, the entertainment was just as fine. There would be two turns, usually a comedian and a band or singer. And just to make the afternoon go with a swing, the partygoers were issued with vouchers for free drinks.
One year, never to be forgotten by those who witnessed it, Dick booked local ventriloquist Harry Lamb to entertain his punters. Harry was a hugely popular turn on the club circuit across central Scotland, his blue material in constant demand for stag nights and smokers.
Harry lived in Drylaw and he knew many members of his audience. Years of experience in the clubs had given him the ability to pick out a likely victim, usually someone who had had slightly too much bevvy and was getting quite loud – and on this particular afternoon Harry was spoilt for choice!
He singled out auld Tommy as his target, and went through his usual routine – which he, and doubtless many of his audience, could recite backwards – while he awaited his chance.
When Tommy stood up to make his way to the toilet, Harry seized his opportunity.
“TOMMY … OH, TOMMY …”, Sonny Boy, the ventriloquist’s dummy called through the darkness.
Tommy stopped in his tracks and turned.
“TOMMY … have you pished yersel’, Tommy?” the dummy asked.
“Naw, I’ve no’!”, Tommy shouted back indignantly, checking the front of his trousers just to make sure.
“Are you pished, Tommy?” asked the dummy.
“Naw, I’m no’ drunk!” Tommy shouted back.
“You must be daft, then?”
“Naw, I’m no’ daft, either!” Tommy was getting riled now.
“Then why the fuck are you standing arguing wi’ a wooden dummy?”
The audience loved it as Tommy stormed off to the toilets, seething.
For years afterwards, whenever Tommy turned up he would be subject to quiet wee ‘TOMMY … OH, TOMMY’ remarks from his mates. The story was even recounted at Tommy’s funeral, where Dick gave a fine oration before rushing back to the Doocot to make sure everything was just right for Tommy’s funeral tea.
There was no doubt ex-policeman Dick could be a hard bastard when he had to be, mind. Punters who had seen him in action were sure never to cross him. Dick’s reputation and no-nonsense attitude ensured that there was seldom any trouble in the Doo’Cot – and on the odd time there was, Big Dick was more than able to handle it.
Usually, a warning word or a long hard stare was enough, but, very occasionally, he was called into action from behind the bar. Ejecting wrongdoers, Dick was efficient, ruthless and, some reckoned, a sadistic bully. He was no spring chicken, but he still had it … and, just for insurance, he also had his trusty Alsation dog and his ex-service truncheon behind the bar.
But keeping order was only part of Dick’s role, important though that was in a pub in a tough working class neighbourhood. It took a special person to run a pub like the Doocot and even his fiercest critics grudgingly had to admit there was no-one better suited to the role.
He kept the riff-raff out, and he looked after his beer. The Doocot’s heavy was only bettered by that legendary pint served up at The Gravediggers – and some loyal Doocot regulars argued that it was even better.
And if Dick usually looked miserable, sometimes angry – a face like a well-kept grave, someone quipped – he had his reasons for not always appearing like a ray of sunshine behind the bar.
Frequent meetings with the brewery meant the writing was on the wall for The Doocot, and for Dick himself. Scottish & Newcastle Breweries was selling off it’s pub chain, and The Doocot was being sold off to Yorkshire brewer Samuel Smith’s.
Dick knew that Smith’s ran a different style of boozer, a style that did not suit him and a type of boozer that would not suit most of his regulars either. Smith’s had taken over the Cramond Inn, another local pub, and had immediately taken out televisions and the juke box. Dick knew his own punters: they would hate it.
Dick was too long in the tooth to learn new tricks and, in all honesty, too tired now to try something new. A Samuel Smith’s would not work in Drylaw, he had argued forcefully – but the brewery bosses were not interested. All they could see were £ signs.
Dick decided he had no option but to retire, but he would leave it for a while to break the news to his clientele. First, he had one last Pensioners Party to organise …
ALEC and his cohorts sat at a long table in The Bird Cage, the Doocot’s lounge bar. The Christmas party hats were now worn at a jaunty angle, and there was a warm fug created by beer fumes and the smoke of pipes, fags and cigars.
The windows were running with condensation and the temperature was dropping sharply outside. It had been a memorable afternoon – although, after all the drink they had consumed, it was doubtful that any of them would remember too much the following morning!
The lights had been dimmed and vocal duo Jim and Tonic were entertaining the punters with a selection of Christmas hits
“Anybody want another drink?” Alec asked, shouting above ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day’. Only Bobby said aye, the rest had had enough.
Archie had had more than enough: his head was down in his plate of Christmas pudding and his new Christmas tie was ruined.
Alec made his way unsteadily to the bar. “Two nips of Grouse please, darlin’”
Big Dick was serving at the other end of the bar, but he must have heard Alec above the hubbub.
“Who are the nips for?” he asked.
Alec, half-cut, thought maybe Dick was going to pay for them. “Me and Boaby. On the house? Make them doubles!”
“No chance. Nae nips for Bobby, Alec. I’ve been well warned by his missus – don’t let him get started on the nips. Tell him he can have one last pint, but he’s no’ getting a nip in here.”
“So much for the season of goodwill to all men!” Alec said. He threw back his whisky in a oner before returning to break the bad news to Bobby.
Bobby, not unexpectedly, did not take the refusal well. “Dick’s a miserable bastard. Is he scared of women or something? I’m the boss in my hoose, I wear the troosers! I decide what I have to drink; nobody else!”
While not quite drunk enough to challenge Dick, Bobby worked out a plan to get his nip. He called over auld Paddy the Potman.
Paddy collected empty glasses and emptied ashtrays when the pub was busy and Dick would pay him with a couple of drinks.
“Paddy, can you do me a wee favour?” …
It was a good hour later that Dick noticed Bobby was missing.
“Where’s Bobby? Is he away to the Ferry Boat in the huff?” Dick asked Alec.
Alec was guttered and the long table was beginning to look like a casualty clearing station. “I couldnae tell you, Dick. I haven’t seen him. Great party, mate!”
Dick looked under the table and checked the toilets, but there was no sign of Bobby.
Dick called The Ferry Boat and Bobby’s house, but without success. There was no option: Dick put on his coat on and went outside. It was snowing quite heavily now. Bobby lived just five minutes up the road, but he was pretty drunk; surely he couldn’t have got lost?
Dick checked out the chip shop next door Groathill Fish Bar and yes, a seriously pished Bobby had bought a fish supper some time back; a peace offering for his wife, apparently.
There was a tell-tale trail of dropped chips in the snow and halfway along Easter Drylaw Place, Detective Dick got his man. He spotted a pair of legs sticking out from a privet hedge alongside a discarded fish supper.
And while it’s not impossible that more than one person came to grief in Drylaw hedgerows that night, it was, of course, Bobby. Flat on his back, covered in a thin film of snow, snoring.
“Look at the state of you, man! Come on, get up!” It was awkward, but Dick was able to drag him back through the hedge and get him onto the pavement.
“Can you get up?”
“Fugg off, ya big bastard. Ge’ yer fuggin’ hands off me! I’ll have you now!”
“Have me? Ye cannae even stand!”
With that, Dick hauled Bobby upright and slung him over his shoulder. Bobby protested feebly – he also accused Dick of stealing his fish supper – but he was powerless as Dick marched through the thickening snow towards Bobby’s house.
They passed one of Dick’s regulars on the way: “Is that you oot delivering Christmas presents, Dick? Nice night for it!”
It was treacherous underfoot and Bobby was a dead weight but Dick got the ‘Christmas Present’ home.
Bobby’s wife Violet was, to put it mildly, slightly displeased but between them Rose and Dick were able to get Bobby onto his bed.
“How on Earth did he get in that state, Dick?
“The staff were well told no’ to serve him any nips. He must have been getting somebody else to buy them for him. I’m sorry about this, Violet. I tried to keep an eye on things but we were really busy. I’ll try to find out what happened.”
“Och, it’s no’ your fault, Dick. He’s auld enough and ugly enough to look after himsel’. He’ll pay for it tomorrow, though!”
Dick turned to go back to the Doocot, but paused.
“Oh, Violet, could you do me a wee favour? Could you keep this between you and me? Dinnae tell Bobby how he got home … I don’t want the boys in the pub thinking I’m a soft touch. That would never dae.”
And with that Dick set off through the snow back to The Doocot.
The Hearts Women Team supporting Big Hearts’ Gift Back initiative: Clare Williamson & Addie Handley.
This Christmas, hundreds of families in Edinburgh and the Lothians will receive Christmas essentials thanks to the incredible efforts from 274 award-winning Big Hearts Supporters linked to Heart of Midlothian’s charity.
For this second Christmas of the pandemic, Big Hearts Community Trust is going on the road to bring some festive cheer directly to people’s homes. The official charity of Heart of Midlothian FC, based at Tynecastle Park, is focusing on providing practical support to various groups referred by the local schools, social workers and partner charities.
Earlier this month, Big Hearts revealed that the number of referrals had doubled since 2020. A call for Hearts fans to become Big Hearts Supporters enabled the charity to meet the demand.
No less than 274 individuals have come forward to help, by volunteering in their own time or at the Stadium, making Big Hearts’ festive activity the biggest to date. A total of 400 pre-cooked Christmas dinners, 500 bags of tailored presents and 100 food parcels will be distributed in time for Christmas Day.
Hearts fans volunteering at the Stadium to wrap up and prepare Christmas gifts deliveries
Andrew McKinlay, Big Hearts Trustee and Chief Executive of Heart of Midlothian FC said: “The festive holidays can be a challenging time for many. Throughout the pandemic, football has remained a force for good and it’s heart-warming to see a record number of Hearts fans joining Big Hearts, the charity operating from Tynecastle Park, to help provide much needed support across the community this Christmas.
“They are a credit to our Club, and our shared family and community values. A big thank you to all involved, your kindness doesn’t go unnoticed.”
Hearts Players visit Broomhouse foodbank. L- R: Taylor Moore, Craig Gordon, Alex Cochrane & Beni Baningime.
Craig Wilson, General Manager at Big Hearts Community Trust said: “Our priority this Christmas is ensuring families can enjoy a fresh Christmas dinner from the comfort and safety of their home and receive presents to open on Christmas morning.
“The fact that our charity saw a 100% increase in requests for support this year just shows how many more individuals are struggling over the festive season – with some facing poverty or loneliness for the very first time.
Big Hearts Christmas Hampers distributed to isolated older people in partnership with the SPFL Trust.
“Alongside our dedicated staff team, Big Hearts Volunteers are playing a vital role in supporting the 500 adults and children on our list. Our award-winning Big Hearts Supporters Movement was designed to do just that: use the incredible power of football to join forces and help others in need.
“We are incredibly grateful to all who decided to sign up and donate their time and skills to make a difference. Thank you.”
Cabinet meets to discuss Omicron crisis – but agrees to DO NOTHINGuntil more data is available
Scotland will urge caution and encourage vaccination – but will NOT enforce tougher guidelinesbefore Christmas
The UK Government met yesterday to discuss the gathering Omicron crisis – but decided to DO NOTHING following their two-hour meeting.
PM Boris Johnson said the situation will be monitored ‘hour by hour’.
91,743 Covid cases were reported across the UK yesterday – the second highest daily total on record – and this figure is expected to rise steeply over the coming days as Omicron becomes the dominant variant.
The UK public has already voted with it’s feet, with many choosing to stay away from busy venues. This has created a new crisis for the beleaguered hospitality industry …
Weekend hospitality sales plummet by 40%
New figures, from industry body UKHospitality, show December set to be a disaster for a sector which had much riding on this key period and hopes for a better 2022 already lie in tatters.
Over half (54%) of venues were down more than 40% in revenue last weekend, with one in five businesses reporting a crushing sales drop of more than 60%. On top of these bleak trading figures, 88% of operators say they feel negative about the potential of New Year’s Eve trading and four in five operators have already experienced cancellations for bookings in what was already set to be a quiet Q1 next year.
A separate survey, for the Tourism Alliance, showed that a third of pubs, bars and restaurants have no cash reserves and 10% of pubs and 14% of restaurants are therefore very likely to fail, with consequent job losses.
Without any form of Government support a further 40% are at risk of failure. Accommodation businesses are only slightly more resilient with 22% reporting no cash reserves – 47% with less than 2 months’ worth – with 26% at risk of failure in the next year without further support.
UKHospitality Chief Executive, Kate Nicholls, said:“Hospitality operators desperately want to keep their doors open and trade their way to recovery, particularly during the Christmas period, which is not only key for balance sheets but for the communities and people our businesses serve.
“However, these catastrophic figures clearly show that trading levels are now so low that without Government support many businesses will not survive into the New Year and jobs will be lost. Cancellations have annihilated cash reserves.
“The industry urgently needs grants for short-term business survival and an extension to business rates relief and the lower VAT rate to secure longer term survival and planning.
“It is also crucial that the Government lets the industry know as soon as possible if measures are to be imposed and what they might be, to allow for as much damage limitation as possible.”
Scottish Licensed Trade Association managing director Colin Wilkinson said: “Of course, we all want to do what we can to stop the spread of the virus and the licensed hospitality sector has gone to enormous effort and invested millions of pounds in mitigation measures and will continue to do so for as long as it can.
“The shutdown of the licensed hospitality industry, effectively by stealth, puts most businesses in an even worse scenario than last Christmas when there was some finance available via Government grants and the furlough scheme was in place.
“Whilst the restrictions that we feared have not yet been imposed, there still remains a great deal of uncertainty for our industry which was beginning to recover, albeit slowly, and looking forward to reasonably good prospects during the key festive trading period.
“We have not been ordered to close our doors yet but many have no choice when so many bookings have been cancelled.
“Last week’s call from Public Health Scotland not to have festive parties – endorsed the next day by the First Minister – killed Christmas and, I fear, will kill some businesses who will not survive without financial support. Our industry desperately needs additional aid to save it – and it needs it now.
“Our industry desperately needs additional aid to save it – and needs it NOW.
“I cannot stress how serious the situation is – many of our members are in dire straits. There will be no happy Christmas for those who are worried about the future and face the prospect of making staff redundant or, worse, pulling down the shutters.
“It is not only operators who are affected by Government interventions – staff and those in the supply chain are also being dragged into the horrendous situation we are still in without any other restrictions looming on the horizon.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has already confirmed that no further restrictions will be introduced in Scotland before Christmas.
The Scottish Cabinet will meet this morning and any further changes to post-Christmas Covid restrictions will be announced to Parliament this afternoon.
A design featuring landmarks and national symbols of Scotland has been unveiled as the First Minister’s 2021 Christmas Card.
It has been created by artist Emily Hogarth, who has previously worked on illustrations to mark St Andrew’s Day and a welcoming new space for children at The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh.
The card features some of Scotland’s best-known landmarks and iconic buildings, with familiar images such as the Scottish Parliament building and the Finnieston Crane. It also has personal links to the First Minister, with her official residence Bute House included in the design.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I am thrilled to have such a striking design for my Christmas card this year.
“Emily Hogarth’s artwork celebrates just a few of the things that make Scotland special, and there’s no better time of year to stop and reflect on the things that make our lives a little brighter.
“After another particularly difficult year living through the COVID-19 pandemic I hope that this card will help to lift people’s spirits, spread some festive cheer and most importantly remind us all that better days are ahead.”
Emily Hogarth said: “I felt very honoured to be selected. It’s been lovely to work with the Scottish Government in the past, but to be chosen by the First Minister to do the Christmas card felt very special.
“It’s more important than ever that we focus on the little things that make life better, whether that’s receiving a nice card or having chats with your friends. We need to remember that we’re all in this together and that good times will come again.”
As 2021 comes to an end, St James Quarter shows no signs of slowing down with seven new retailers opening their doors in time for Christmas.
Throughout the month of December, St James Quarter announces a number of openings including Thai Express Kitchen, German Doner Kebab, Wingstop, Reiss, Bubbleology, Moriconi and Sunnamusk, just in time for the busy festive season.
Catering to everyone, the new line-up offers everything from clothing and accessories to food and drink, providing a luxurious escape featuring new trends and tastes from around the world.
Much to foodies’ delight, Wingstop and Thai Express Kitchen are now open and are tingling tastebuds with the American and Canadian brands both beginning their first venture in Scotland, bringing flavours and recipes from across the globe.
German Doner Kebab also opened its doors to its third restaurant in Edinburgh late last week and has launched its limited-edition ultimate winter warmer to celebrate. The all-new Chilli Heatwave Krunch Burger is set to get pulses racing and has arrived just in time for the Christmas holidays.
For those looking for the perfect Christmas party outfit, they can shop ‘til they drop in the brand-new Reiss store which opened today. Taking The Quarter’s fashion offering to a whole new level, the iconic brand will offer fashionista’s high-quality pieces suitable for all ages.
And it doesn’t stop there, St James Quarter has welcomed new name Moriconi, an Italian jeweller featuring handmade pieces from Tuscany using both traditional and modern processing techniques to the main galleria floor.
Joining them later this month will be Bubbleology, a leading Bubble Tea brand, crafting made to order tea-based beverages and Sunnamusk, a specialist fragrance house based in the UK. Working with a team of highly skilled perfumers, Sunnamusk produces an exclusive range of pure fine oils, Eau de Parfum and home fragrances.
Getting into the Christmas spirit, St James Quarter is also running a 12 days of Christmas giveaway offering car park users the chance to receive an exciting free parking prize for use in January. Guests using the car park will be surprised at random between the 12th to 24th December.
Additionally, shoppers can make the most of parking at The Quarter with a fixed rate of £5 from 5.30pm onwards available during the festive period.
Nick Peel, Managing Director for St James Quarter, commented: “As we approach Christmas, there couldn’t be a better time to welcome new and exciting brands to St James Quarter. As the place to shop in Scotland’s capital, we’re proud to welcome a number of Scottish firsts as well as brands already popular with visitors to the city.
“From luxury fashion to exotic tastes, there’s something for everyone at The Quarter and our retailers will be sure to make Christmas shopping an enjoyable experience for all.
“We look forward to welcoming guests over the Christmas period and will be excited to share our latest developments in the new year.”