Tag: closure

Poice Scotland confirm closure of Portobello Police Station

LANDMARK BUILDING IS UP FOR SALE

Plans to dispose of Portobello police station following public consultation has been approved and the building will now be marketed for sale.

Police Scotland announced on 14 December 2023 proposals to close police stations across the country as part of their estate transformation strategy.

Public consultation was launched both at a local level and nationally through an online Engagement Hub. The consultation on Portobello opened on 17 January 2024 and closed on 13 March 2024. In total there were 116 respondents.

Portobello has historically been underutilised; operational officers have not been stationed there since October 2016. Community and response officers have been based at Craigmillar police station. The disposal of Portobello would lead to no change in this operational model.

Public counter services can be accessed at Craigmillar police station and St Leonards Police station which are approximately three miles away. Musselburgh police station, in East Lothian also has front office counter provision.

Speaking about the approved disposal, Superintendent Murray Tait said: “Portobello is a very large Victorian building and has continued to incur significant annual running costs and ongoing repairs and maintenance.

“I realise that for many, the physical presence of Portobello police station has provided reassurance and confidence to the local community over the years. However, it’s important to clarify that operational police officers have not been stationed in the building since 2016.

“Community and response officers will continue to actively patrol the Portobello area We are committed to maintaining a strong presence and ensuring the safety of the community.

“Some respondents to the consultation expressed concern about crime during busy summer periods when the town sees greater visitor numbers.

“As part of our policing plan, we have increased police resource throughout the summer in Portobello every year and I would reassure residents this will continue.

“With advances in digital technology and our fleet, officers spend most of their time out in communities dealing with calls and helping the public rather than sitting in police stations.

“Our presence in communities is not defined by buildings but by the officers and staff who work hard to police the area.

“I would like to assure local residents that our officers will continue to be active, visible and accessible. 

“Our officers based at Craigmillar and St Leonards will continue to patrol the east side of the city and the public will receive the same high level of service.”

Copies of the consultation findings have been published on our Engagement Hub.

Crisis: Gorgie Farm faces closure again

FUTURE OF POPULAR LEARNING CENTRE IN DOUBT

Love Learning released the following statement yesterday:

So sorry to release this folks 😞

Love to withdraw from Gorgie Farm

Love Learning have regrettably announced that their intention to return the lease on Gorgie Farm to the City of Edinburgh Council. Love will begin a period of formal consultation with staff on 4 January 2023.

Love CEO, Lynn Bell, said: “We have tried everything to avoid this situation, however with Covid and now cost of living crisis we do not believe we are able to support the Farm alone moving forward.”

CEC funding for the Farm was withdrawn in 2020 and over recent months Love have been seeking detailed discussions with City of Edinburgh Council over funding and the future operations of the Farm. Love have developed a plan for the Farm, based on the development of a Care Farm and utilising buildings on the Farm for respite accommodation for Looked After Children.

However, on preparation of the Love Learning 2021-22 accounts it became clear that Love was not able to take this forward without assistance.

Lynn added: “The support for Gorgie Farm from the public has been tremendous, and I would like to thank every single person who has supported the Farm over the last few years. Gorgie Farm is unique, and it has the potential to deliver so much for so many.

“We know that changes could be made to raise funds and support wider Council objectives around looked after children and tackling poverty, but we are not able to take this proposal forward unaided.

“A partnership approach has always been central to our plans, but this partnership has not materialised. While we have had many positive individual conversations ultimately there is a need for detailed discussions and agreements to allow the redesign of the Farms operations to meet wider needs.”

Edinburgh Greens have pledged to work for sustainable future for Gorgie Farm.

The much-loved local community farm in Edinburgh has announced that they plan to hand their lease back to Edinburgh City Council when it comes to an end.

Gorgie Farm has been run by ‘LOVE Learning’ since the previous long-term owners entered financial difficulties in late 2019.

Since reopening in early 2020, LOVE Gorgie Farm has become a community hub with programmes for local people to connect, and a young people to learn.

Gorgie Green Councillor Dan Heap said: “After 50 years of operation, Gorgie Farm is an integral part of the Gorgie community, and it is impossible to imagine Gorgie without the fun, life and incredible services the Farm brings the area.

“I think it is absolutely possible we can find a sustainable model for the Farm, and it is vital that all partners, including the City of Edinburgh Council, work together to achieve this.

“I will be working closely with them to ensure this happens.”

Lothian Green MSP, Lorna Slater said: “I am sorry to hear that Gorgie Farm is facing closure.

“It was a pleasure to have visited the farm in September and to hear about the exciting future plans that had been set out for this much-loved community farm.

“When the farm was threatened with closure in 2019, Green MSPs and Councillors were at the heart of the campaign to save it. I will work closely with local councillor Dan Heap and all partners involved in the farm and do everything I can to help in ensuring that it can have a sustainable future.”

Edinburgh Filmhouse calls in adminstrators

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CEASES TRADING

The trustees of Centre for the Moving Image (CMI), the parent charity which runs Filmhouse Cinema and Café Bar in Edinburgh, Edinburgh International Film Festival and Belmont Filmhouse in Aberdeen, have appointed Tom MacLennan and Chad Griffin of FRP Advisory as Joint Administrators.

The charity is facing the perfect storm of sharply rising costs, in particular energy costs, alongside reduced trade due to the ongoing impacts of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis. The combination and scale of these challenges is unprecedented and means that there was no option but to take immediate action.

Filmhouse Cinema and Café Bar in Edinburgh, Edinburgh International Film Festival and Belmont Filmhouse will all cease trading immediately and FRP Advisory have been appointed Administrators to all entities in the Group.

The Administrators will work with Creative Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council and Aberdeen City Council in assessing what options there are for the future of the individual elements of the charity’s work and supporting staff through the process.

The board of the CMI has issued the following statement:

“We have been proud to have led the CMI through incredibly challenging times, and in particular during the worst days of the pandemic. Unfortunately, the combination of sharply increasing energy and other costs, together with both the lasting impacts of the pandemic and the rapidly emerging cost of living crisis affecting cinema attendances, means that we have had no other option but to appoint administrators at this time.

“We would like to put on record our immense gratitude to the entire staff team whose passion for film as an artform and for the audiences and communities we work with and serve has remained undented by the challenges of recent years. We’re fully aware that this will be an exceptionally stressful time for them.”

Projekt 42 to close in June

A STATEMENT from PROJEKT 42:

Projekt 42 will close on 10th June 2022.

Projekt 42 launched in 2017. Our main objective was to build a self-sustaining charity that used the income from the sale of fitness and yoga classes to fund a free and low-cost mental health service.

However, since November 2020, we have not been able to find a suitable venue in Edinburgh that could work to bring all of our services together.

As a result, without income-generating activities, such as the sale of gym memberships, yoga classes and personal training, we can no longer continue to fund the mental health services.

While we had hoped to secure funding that could be used to fund the operational costs of the mental health services, unfortunately, there are not enough funding opportunities available to support the demand for the much needed mental health services in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Projekt 42’s model aims to generate the income necessary to support free and low-cost counselling, and our objective is to work to create sustainable changes in the community. Relying on funding opportunities to achieve this is not possible and does not allow us to build a strong team or sustainable service.

The demand for meeting everyday business goals mixed with much-needed social outcomes can sometimes seem impossible. To avoid becoming reliant on grant funding, as of 10th June 2022, Projekt 42’s services will close to redesign the model.

We want to thank all our members, volunteers and the wider Projekt 42 community for your support and encouragement over the last five years.

– The Projekt 42 Team

Muirhouse Library’s on the move!

Library will deliver services across North Edinburgh

Good News Everyone!

As you all may know, the library is closed and due to be demolished/rebuilt as part of a new community hub (more details in the link below).

https://northedinburgharts.co.uk/development/

We have been working away at securing a place for us to operate a library while we are waiting for our shiny new building and we can finally announce that we will be opening a new Library lending service based in the Edinburgh College Granton Campus, where you will be able to get Borrow Books, Hearing Aid Batteries, NEC Card Applications, Food waste bags, internet access and of course, see our smiley faces again!

Dates for opening have yet to be finalised, but more info on that will follow very soon.

We will also be start delivering activities again in various locations throughout the community.

Bookbug sessions will be the first to resume on 7th September at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre.

Places will be limited and a booking system will be operating.

Keep an eye out here for more info of other activities.

We are so happy that we will back in the community again after such a long time away and look forward to see you all very soon!

Muirhouse Library team

Covid forces closure of Davidsons Mains Primary School

Davidsons Mains Primary School has been closed due to increasing numbers of Covid cases.

In a statement on the school’s website yesterday, Head Teacher Astrid Gracie told parents and carers:

Dear Families,

Thank you for your support over the past 8 days. Unfortunately, we continue to be notified of new positive cases, affecting more classes in the school. I will be in touch with the families of close contacts in the latest classes affected very soon and provide guidance around isolation dates and PCR testing.    

Following further consultation with the Health Protection Team, NHS Lothian & City of Edinburgh Education and Environmental Services we have had to make the difficult decision to return to remote learning for all pupils until the end of this week and close the School and Nursery to all children. 

This is because cases are continuing to spread and further steps, including self-isolation of close contacts and closing the school are considered necessary by the Health Protection Team, to reduce the risks of transmission of the virus.  

We recognise that this will be very challenging for many families and I can assure you that it is not a decision that has been taken lightly.

Remote Learning Provision

Learning tasks and live classes will take place on TEAMS, as happened during the recent lockdown.  Class teachers will post further information on TEAMS.  Nursery staff will provide learning at home tasks via Learning Journals for our Nursery children.  Should you need to borrow a digital device to access the online content please email or call the school and we will make arrangements for you to collect this tomorrow.

Free School Meal Provision

Pupils in P1-7 (who meet free school meals entitlements) will be able to collect their meal from the main gym hall/dining room door (currently P4/5 entrance). If your child is entitled to free school meals and their class have been asked to isolate, we will contact you to arrange delivery.  

Please only attend at the times noted below to allow us to distribute meals safely.  You will receive a refund should your child be in P4-7 and you have paid for their meal:

Primary 1 – 3:  11.45-12.00

Primary 4 -7: 12.15-12.30

Hub provision for Key Workers

The return to remote learning is a response to the number of cases in the community and the number of classes and staff self-isolating.   We are therefore unable to offer key worker provision.

After School Provision

As a result of the return to remote learning  breakfast club and after school provision will not be available this week.

Review of School Closure

We continue to work closely with the Health Protection Team, NHS Lothian, Senior Education Leaders  and Environmental Health Services to closely monitor the spread of the virus. Our next review meeting is on Friday 28TH May.

We are committed to re-opening the school as soon as it is considered safe to do so. I will send updated information after the meeting.

PCR testing

We continue to ask that all close contacts and those displaying COVID symptoms take a PCR test. Walk-in test centres are open at Drumbrae and Ainslie Park. A drive-through centre is at the airport. Test results are received fairly quickly, so if you do not hear back within 36 hours please call the NHS to check if the test has been misplaced. 

The following links may be helpful:

Should you have difficulty getting to a test centre, please email the school at admin@davidsonsmains.edin.sch.uk

I would like to thank you for your ongoing support throughout this turbulent year.  Throughout, we have continued to work in partnership and to look out for all in our community. 

I know that if we continue to pull together, to follow FACTS and each play our part in sticking to the guidance, it won’t be long before we can welcome our children back in to the school building.

Best wishes,

Astrid Gracie

Head Teacher

First Minister: Stay close to home

Homeware stores and garden centres to close in level 4 

Homeware stores and garden centres will close in all level 4 areas from Boxing Day with the exception of click and collect.

Members of the public within level 4 are also being urged to stay close to home where possible to help stop the spread of Coronavirus (COVID19).

The stricter definition of essential retailers and new stay at home message have been introduced to help tackle the new variant of the virus which can spread far more quickly and easily.

The changes were announced during a statement to Parliament by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon yesterday. She said: “Given the severity of the situation we face and the need to limit interactions as much as possible, we intend to define essential retail more narrowly than we have done recently.

“In short, that means homeware stores and garden centres will be classed as non-essential and will therefore require to close, with the exception of click and collect.

“Financial support will remain available for businesses affected and the Finance Secretary is urgently assessing what more the Scottish Government can do, particularly for the sectors most affected.

“For those living in level 4 areas – which from Saturday will be the vast majority of us – our strong advice is to stay as local as possible and to stay at home as much as possible.

“We will be considering in the days ahead whether we need to place that advice in law.

“As more evidence of the impact of this new strain becomes available, we will consider whether there is a need to strengthen level 4 restrictions any further.”

The First Minister’s statement. 

Warrender Swim Centre to close for major refurbishment

Iconic Victorian swimming pool to close on Christmas Eve

Another of Edinburgh’s iconic Victorian pools, Warrender Swim Centre, home to the Warrender Baths Club said to be the oldest, most famous and most successful swimming club in Scotland is being temporarily closed for a major refurbishment, from Thursday, 24 December 2020, with a planned reopening in September 2021.

Stephanie Kelly, Leisure Manager at Warrender Swim Centre said: ‘Edinburgh Leisure is unique in having five B-listed Victorian pools in our portfolio but from time to time, these historic venues need some ‘tlc’.

“At 133 years, the investment will future-proof the building so that customers can continue to enjoy its facilities for many years to come, as they have done for previous generations. 

“We will, however, still maintain certain characteristics of  ‘Warrender Baths’ to ensure they keep their charm, which is so loved by the people of Bruntsfield, Marchmont and, indeed Edinburgh.”

With a 25-yard pool, sauna and a 20-station gym, Warrender is a Victorian swim centre in the heart of Bruntsfield and Marchmont. This historic venue retains many of its original features, including the original steam room’s roof in the gym, but also has the modern facilities required for an active, healthy life. The gym is located in what used to be the Turkish Baths.

Similar to the recent refurbishments at Leith Victoria and at Dalry Swim Centre, much of the refurbishment will be behind the scenes and will include:

  • Decoration throughout, including updating the changing rooms, both wet and dry, and retiling of the poolside.
  • Opening up the spectating area and adding air-cooling.
  • Installation of a new sauna.
  • New easy access, making it easier for customers to access the building and their activities, with the simple swipe of their membership card or fob.
  • Maintenance work to the sandstone structure and roof, both in keeping with the building’s listing.
  • Upgrades to the mechanical and electrical works, including improvements to the ventilation system, new lighting and installation of venue draining and a new pool plant, which will ensure the building is more energy efficient.
  • New air handling throughout the building including the gym.

During the refurbishment, customers will have their memberships upgraded to enable them to use any of the 50 + other Edinburgh Leisure venues across the city, so they can continue to keep active during the refurbishment.

Updates at every stage will be posted on Edinburgh Leisure’s social media channels and website during the closure and customers have been informed of the impending renovations.

Warrender Swim Centre
55 Thirlestane Road, Edinburgh EH9 1AP