Tag: City Centre

CCTV appeal following assault in Cowgate

Police are investigating a serious assault in the city centre and have released images of a man that they believe may be able to assist them with their enquiries.

The incident happened at around 3.10 a.m. on Sunday 4th June near to the Espionage nightclub at the Cowgate. A 27-year-old man was attacked and sustained serious injuries.Officers would like to speak to the man shown in the image and would appeal to him or any members of the public who recognise him to contact them as soon as possible.

The male is described as white, mid-twenties, 5ft 11ins tall with a medium build, clean shaven face and short fair hair. He was wearing a pink checked shirt, blue jeans and white trainers. He was last seen leaving the Grassmarket in the company of other men and headed towards the West Port area.

Detective Constable Sheila Silvagni from the Violence Reduction Unit at Gayfield Police Station said, “This appears to have been a totally random and unprovoked attack, which left the victim with a painful injury to the back of his head.”

Anyone with information can contact the Violence Reduction Unit via 101 and quote incident number 934 of the 4th June. Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Edinburgh Alphabet Exhibition to open next month

Hundreds of objects from Edinburgh’s museum and gallery collections will be drawn together and placed on display for the very first time. Spanning 60,000 years and over 300 items, Edinburgh Alphabet: An A-Z of the City’s Collections will combine artworks and artefacts across four floors of the City Art Centre this summer (Friday 19 May – 8 October). Continue reading Edinburgh Alphabet Exhibition to open next month

Let the presses roll!

Top Scottish authors on hand as Des McDonald opens his first Edinburgh edition

he Printing Press Bar & Kitchen

A new chapter opened on George Street yesterday when some of Scotland’s literary greats were the first guests at the official opening of the The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen. 

To mark the opening of the new restaurant, respected restaurateur Des McDonald was joined by head chef Colin Fleming to serve some of Scotland’s literary elite, including leading Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin, Chris Brookmyre, Sue Lawrence, Doug Johnstone, Jenni Fagan and Lin Anderson.

Des, who has over 20 years’ experience running some of London’s most high-profile restaurants, has shaped every aspect of The Printing Press – including the concept design and menu – in what is his maiden venture in Scotland.

Housed in a Georgian townhouse on George Street, The Printing Press pays homage to the capital’s rich literary heritage: number 25 was home in the 1780s to the acclaimed novelist Susan Ferrier and in late 1840 records show one John Oliphant living there – Oliphant’s and Ferrier’s descendants founded Oliphant, Anderson and Ferrier, one of Scotland’s most prestigious publishing houses, best known for the series of Famous Scots books.

he Printing Press Bar & Kitchen

Now, a multi-million pound refurbishment has created an elegant, all-day, 180-seat restaurant and bar that restores many of the building’s original Georgian features alongside contemporary touches to create a series of rooms that are elegant and comfortable from morning though to the wee hours.

“We set out with a clear vision to create a warm, distinctive restaurant and bar in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town that nods to the heritage of the building and the city itself,” says Des. “We’ve worked with some of the most reputable suppliers in Scotland, as well as talented designers and contractors to bring this new restaurant experience to Edinburgh’s dining scene.

“It’s a great achievement to see The Printing Press officially open its doors and I can’t think of a group of guests more fitting to join us on our first day of business than the literary greats of modern-day Edinburgh.”

Open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner – with a late bar serving food and drink till 1am – The Printing Press has already found favour with some of Edinburgh’s most influential food writers, including Alright Treacle’s Anna Hamilton, who loved the “quality of the ingredients” and “the incredibly flavoursome dishes”, which give the restaurant “all the makings of an Edinburgh gem.”

Pictures by Sandy Young

 

Motorists: Waverley Bridge diversions from Tuesday

Waverley Bridge one way only for four weeks

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Vehicles heading south will be diverted away from Waverley Bridge from next week so that further work can begin on pedestrian access improvements around Waverley Station. For four weeks from 6am on Tuesday (24 February), Waverley Bridge will become one way to northbound traffic only.

This is to allow the construction of a setted raised table, or an elevated section of road, on Waverley Bridge between the north and south ramps of Waverley Station.

The works are part of a £1 million programme to improve pedestrian access around Waverley Station.

The first phase of works on Market Street was completed in mid-2014 and included the creation of a temporary taxi rank, new loading areas and a cycle lane.

The second phase, which is ongoing, involves carriageway resurfacing and the widening of footways on Waverley Bridge, as well as the installation of upgraded drainage, kerb realignment, laying of sandstone and Caithness paving and improved pedestrian crossing facilities.

The raised table is designed to act as an informal or uncontrolled pedestrian crossing, encouraging traffic to slow down and making it much easier for pedestrians to cross the Bridge to and from the Station ramps.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Transport Convener, said: “We appreciate that these works will inevitably cause some inconvenience for traffic heading south and we would ask for the public’s patience while we get this much-needed improvement work completed.

“The new raised section will create an informal pedestrian crossing so that people leaving or arriving at the Station on foot can feel much safer about crossing Waverley Bridge.”

Diversion routes will come into effect for southbound traffic, namely:

Princes Street – North Bridge – High Street – Jeffrey Street – Market Street

or

Princes Street – South St David Street – Queen Street – Hanover Street – The Mound – Market Street

Advance warning signs have been installed on site informing the public of the upcoming works and local businesses have been informed.

The Airlink bus service will remain on Waverley Bridge and the tour buses will be relocated to Market Street.

The taxi rank on Waverley Bridge will remain in its current position with access and egress only in a northbound direction.

 

City Centre regeneration plans go on display

PUBLIC EXHIBITION FOR £20M CITY CENTRE REGENERATION PROJECT

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Initial proposals for a £20m regeneration project in the Register Lanes area on the south east corner of St Andrew Square will go on display at a public exhibition today. 

The exhibition at the Voodoo Rooms will present early stage ideas for the area, which will include the regeneration of the currently neglected backstreets off and around West Register Street, and will comprise a complementary mix of high quality office space, hotel, serviced apartments, retail units and restaurants.

Initial plans include the restoration of 42 St Andrew Square, the former RBS headquarters and home to one of the finest examples of an art deco banking hall, which is now on the ‘at risk’ register.

The overall aim is to develop the buildings, which range from Victorian gothic to 1960s functional, as part of one comprehensive scheme that works successfully alongside the plans for the St James Quarter and the objectives of the Register Lanes Study.

Chris Stewart, CEO of Chris Stewart Group, said: “This is an important site and we welcome all views as we shape our ideas and designs. We want to create a vibrancy for the area. To do that, we are looking at a mix of new uses for the buildings; uses that we expect will deliver an economic boost for local traders, together with considerable environmental improvements for the benefit of local residents and visitors to the city.”

Chris Stewart Group has a track record for completing complex transformational projects. The company recently completed the Advocate’s Close development in Edinburgh’s Old Town, which has been awarded the RIAS ‘Best Building in Scotland’ award and has just begun works at Baxter’s Place, in Edinburgh, which is to become a Marriott hotel.

The exhibition will take place in the French Quarter, Voodoo Rooms, 19a West Register Street, EH2 2AA, between 3 -8pm on Thursday 27 November.

 

Samhuinn set to light up city centre

samhuinnSamhuinn Fire Festival is set to light up the heart of Edinburgh tonight to mark the end of summer and rise of winter. Organisers the Beltane Fire Society say the event will blend ancient and modern like never before, with ancient celtic traditions, fire, drumming and acrobatics combined with pyrotechnics, martial arts, a new route and real-time social media updates.

This year Samhuinn, the event held in Edinburgh every Halloween night to mark the turning seasons, will have space for more spectators than ever as it takes on a new, much bigger route that will culminate at a stage at the Mound Precinct by Princes Street.

The society will also be telling the story via social media in real time with tweets, photos and updates using hashtag #Samhuinn2014, so everyone can get involved in the event, understand more of what’s going on and share their own experience of the night.

Event co-ordinator Sara Thomas said: “We want everyone to join us tonight. It’s a chance to witness a truly unique event, and be part of a traditional Celtic celebration of the end of summer and beginning of winter. This year spectators can expect a new procession route, fire, mischief, celebration, drumming and tragedy.

“With the weather already turning, can the King of Summer defend his realm against the oncoming cold, or will the Prince of Winter prevail? Also this year we’re taking the story online on the night too: use #Samhuinn2014 to share your experience of the night on social media, and get our real-time updates on what’s happening.”

The celebration will begin at 9pm at the High Street, with a procession of drums, fire and characters from celtic lore making their way from the High Street at the Royal Mile, down Cockburn Street. From there the public can make their way up Market Street and down Playfair Steps and watch as the procession will split away and make its way through East Princes Street Gardens, ready to re-emerge for the main battle between the forces of summer and winter on the stage at the Mound Precinct by Princes Street.

Spike Nisbet, the 31-year-old from Leith who’s performing the role of the Prince of Winter at the festival this year, said: “Samhuinn is a Hallowe’en unlike any other. The sort that can only come from hundreds of performers, all of whom steadfastly refuse to be grown-ups. It all comes down to the people.

“This whole event is organised, funded annd performed by volunteers. Most of us are working full-time jobs as well as rehearsing our performances and making our own costumes. It wouldn’t be possible unless we all absolutely loved what we were doing and I think that comes through on the night.

“What can you expect tonight? Spectacle. Everything is larger than life. All the parts of the performance, from the manic excesses of the summer Reds to the feral savagery of the Wild Hunt. By way of spinning balls of flame, pyrotechnics and sword fighting. I can also confide that the Prince of Winter is devastatingly handsome this year.”

Haddington man Ian Stuart is a Beltane Fire Society trustee and is also performing the role of the King of Summer tonight. He said: “I’m 50 this year, and generally an introvert. I don’t know if this is my mid-life crisis, but I think performing in a Beltane Fire Society event is the perfect way to challenge myself!

“It’s a great thing to be part of because Beltane Fire Society is full of wonderful, vibrant, different people, and we’re like a family. It’s hard to describe what we’ll be sharing with Edinburgh tonight without over-using the word ‘amazing’. I can say that there will be drums, acrobatics, sword-play, and the death of a king.”

Attendance at Samhuinn is by donation on the night, with no ticket needed.

The event is organised by the Beltane Fire Society, a charity run by volunteers, dedicated to marking the fire festivals of the ancient celtic calendar and keeping traditional Scottish skills of street theatre, music and pageantry alive.

Samhuinn has been held in Edinburgh since 1995. Its spring and summer counterpart, Beltane, takes place on Calton Hill on the last day of April each year, and has been running since 1988.

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