Granton Information Centre are delighted to announce that we are resuming our benefits/money/debt advice outreach service at Muirhouse Medical Group from the beginning of September.
The appointments are with our advisor Kay on Wednesday afternoons and can be made by contacting the surgery directly on 0131 202 4444.
Please be aware these appointments are for those people who are registered with Muirhouse Medical Group only.
Primary school parents are being reminded about following physical distancing guidelines when dropping off and picking up children at their school. The advice comes as schools across the city welcomed back pupils for the first time this week when they reopened after five months.
Pupils have been back in school since Wednesday and the vast majority of parents have been taking simple steps to ensure there is no overcrowding around school gates and other entrances to schools. However there have been a few reports of parents and family groups not adhering to the national guidelines.
Steps include:
In addition several schools have already put in place temporary measures to support physical distancing as part of the Spaces for People programme. These include:
Over the coming days and weeks further temporary measures will be put in pace that best support each school and discussions will continue between parents and schools.
Education Convener Cllr Ian Perry said: “We realise it will take time for parents and pupils to get used to the new arrangements around our schools and I want to thank everyone who has been following the advice such as dropping children off away from schools gates so there is no overcrowding.
“We would urge everyone to remember the physical distancing guidelines they have been following so well for the past few months as these also apply outside our schools. Please take on board these simple steps so we can keep everyone safe.”
Education Vice Convener Cllr Alison Dickie said: “Each school is different so specific advice has been issued to parents about the best ways to help with physical distancing at drop off and pick up times.
“Discussions between parents and schools will continue as we find solutions that best support each school. In addition a number of temporary measures have also been put in place as part of our Spaces for People programme to give pupils and their families safer access so they can physically distance using buggies, wheelchairs and other mobility aids.
“We are continuing to encourage parents/carers to travel to school by walking, cycling and scooting where possible so please follow the national guidance so we can keep the virus suppressed.”
A new web-based tool, commissioned by the Scottish Government, will allow care homes to monitor coronavirus (COVID-19) trends and identify risks quicker.
The Turas Care Management tool will launch today and will allow all private and public sector care homes across the country to record in one place information including COVID-19 infection rates, demand on services and staff testing.
This will mean care home managers, health and social care organisations and the Scottish Government can monitor trends, identify risks and take early action both during the current pandemic and in the future.
The care management tool, developed by the Scottish Government in collaboration with the Care Inspectorate, Scottish Care and NHS Education Scotland (NES), will provide:
*a clearer national picture of conditions in care homes
*earlier warning of emerging trends and issues, allowing earlier interventions
*easier reporting to free up care home resources
The tool is for care home management use and only identified staff will be able to access the information.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “The health, safety and wellbeing of care home residents both during the current pandemic and in the future is critically important.
“This new web-based tool allows care homes to store information in one central place, whereas before they were required to report in different formats and through many channels, which tied up resources and made trend-spotting more difficult.
“Importantly, this means care home managers, health and social care organisations and the government will now be able to identify risks earlier and quickly take action during the current pandemic and in the future.”
Care Inspectorate Chief Executive Peter Macleod said: “The care sector has worked tirelessly under the most challenging circumstances to care for some of the most vulnerable people in Scotland during the pandemic.
“This new approach to gathering data and information will help us to better understand what support the sector needs to ensure that people experiencing care are supported in the best possible way in the future.”
The Turas Care Management tool was commissioned by Scottish Government and has been developed in partnership with the care home sector for the care home sector.
The tool will support care homes to review their data over time, demonstrate the safety and quality of the services they provide and facilitate escalation of key concerns to the Health and Social Care Partnership and Care Inspectorate when issues arise and support is required.
Key national partners who have worked in collaboration with Scottish Government to develop this tool include: members of the Clinical and Professional Advisory Group for Care Homes, the Care Inspectorate, Scottish Care and NHS Education for Scotland (NES) who developed the interactive web based tool.
NHS Education for Scotland Chief Executive Stewart Irvine said: “As we all know, care homes have been among the hardest-hit areas of this pandemic. Our digital team has produced this resource to help reduce the burden on care homes and help residents and staff.
“We hope it’s a useful contribution to the ongoing support of this important area.”
Scottish Care’s Transforming Workforce Lead Jacqui Neil said: “This will provide a long awaited national strategic approach to recording and responding to the pressures on our care homes in real time.
“It also offers a real opportunity to achieve quality improvements and safe practice through collaborative working moving forward.”
Statement given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at a media briefing in St Andrew’s House yesterday (Friday 14 August):
Good afternoon, and thanks for joining us again today, let me firstly give the usual update on the Covid-19 statistics. I can confirm that an additional 65 positive cases were confirmed yesterday.
That represents 1.6% of people newly tested yesterday, and takes the total number of cases now to 19,238.
The full health board breakdown will be available later as usual, but I’ll give the provisional information and that is 28 of the 65 new cases are in the Grampian health board area.
Nine are in Greater Glasgow and Clyde and 12 in Lanarkshire – which between them may reflect a cluster in north-east Glasgow. And there are two cases reported in today’s figure for Orkney.
A total of 253 patients are in hospital with confirmed Covid, which is five fewer than yesterday.
Three people are in intensive care which is the same as yesterday.
I’m also very pleased to say that yet again in the past 24 hours, we have had no deaths registered of patients who had tested positive for Covid so the number of deaths under that measurement remains 2,491.
Obviously that overall figure is a reminder of the impact of the virus and again I want to send my thoughts and condolences to those who have lost a loved one.
And as always, to say a very big and heartfelt thank you to everybody in whatever capacity they are working to get country through this difficult period.
I am joined by the Justice Secretary, who will talk in a moment about some arrangements for high court trials, and also cover today’s announcements in relation to quarantine requirements for people returning from holiday from countries such as France, Malta and the Netherlands. And then Jason Leitch will say a word or two before we take questions.
There are a couple of issues I want to say a bit more about today before any of that. Firstly, I’ll provide some further detail about the ongoing outbreak in Aberdeen.
I mentioned a moment ago that 28 of the 65 new cases reported today are in Grampian. I can say that on the latest figures we have available, since the 26th of July, there have been a total of 328 cases identified in Grampian.
And as of now, we believe that 198 of these are associated with the cluster linked to Aberdeen pubs, and 1032 contacts have now been identified from these 198 cases. Contact tracing continues for what remains a very large and a very complex outbreak, and I am grateful once again to our health team and our test and protect teams.
I think it is clear from the numbers I have just given, that we will continue to see new cases and new contacts identified in Aberdeen in the coming days. But we are hopeful that this is an outbreak that will be brought firmly under control.
We are also continuing to monitor developments in relation to smaller clusters that I spoke about yesterday and I’ve referred to already today, firstly on Orkney, and secondly in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde are around north-east Glasgow, which will have potentially an impact on the Lanarkshire figures as well.
The other item I wanted to update on today relates to the new rules and guidance which are coming into force today for the hospitality sector. We know that pubs and restaurants are higher risk locations for transmission of COVID and we are seeing that reflected in our data right now
When the hospitality sector reopened, the Scottish Government published guidance on issues like physical distancing, hygiene, and the collection of customer details.
Many businesses, I believe the majority of businesses, have complied well with those measures, and I am grateful to all of them.
But I also know there are premises where that has not been the case.
We’ve had a particular concern over venues where crowding has become an issue – due to poor compliance with physical distancing, or premises exceeding their safe capacity.
We want to do everything possible to ensure that our hospitality sector, now that is has reopened, can remain open safely.
But it is absolutely essential that we guard against future outbreaks. The volume of cases that we are still dealing with in Aberdeen – many of which seem to have been the result of transmission in pubs – shows the importance of that.
So for that reason, two important new measures are coming into force today. Firstly, it is now mandatory for hospitality businesses, including cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars to collect customer and visitor contact details.
That requirement already exists in guidance – and I know many businesses are already doing this. But it is now the law. It is an essential step to ensure that our Test and Protect system can function as effectively as possible.
So from now on, all hospitality businesses must collect contact details for all visitors to their premises. That includes obviously customers and staff but also people such as cleaners and delivery drivers. And let me make this point clear as well, particularly to members of the public, if customers refuse to provide these details, they should not be served in the place that they are trying to be served in.
The second measure, is that we have today issued new statutory guidance relating to hospitality.
By making the guidance statutory – so that premises must take account of it – we are aiming to ensure greater compliance with the guidelines.
The guidance makes clear, for example, that there should be no indoor queuing in these premises. And if there has to be queuing outside of the premises which we are asking premises to avoid, but if it is necessary for safety reasons, people queueing must be physically distanced.
The guidance also states that people should not be standing together in a bar or restaurant. People should be seated only, with table service to them.
Physical distancing must be possible. Customers must be at least, in a hospitality premise, one metre apart – unless they are part of the same household group.
Businesses must therefore review their layouts to ensure that one metre distancing – at least – is possible. They should clearly signpost the requirement for distancing. And they must not admit more people than can safely gather in their premises abiding by the physical distancing rules.
And they are reminded – as customers are – of the current law on indoor and outdoor gatherings. Friends should not be meeting indoors in groups of more than eight people and those eight people should be from no more than three different households. If larger gatherings seem to be forming in a pub or a restaurant, then that should be challenged by those employed running the business.
We also recommend that face coverings should be used for front of house staff rather than face visors because there is now some evidence that they are more effective.
And finally, there should be no background music – or volume from a television because we don’t want people having to shout to be heard or lean in to each other because we know that increases the risks of transmission.
Now let me say on that point, I know, absolutely all of us know, that atmosphere in pubs and restaurants is important, so we are willing to work with the sector to see if it might be possible to agree a more nuanced position based on an acceptable decibel level, but as you will gather just from what I have said there that will not be simple and it will take time.
So, in the meantime the rule is there should be no background music in pubs and restaurants.
I want to stress that most of these changes will not represent new burdens on businesses. They should already be doing most or all of these things. But the changes should now ensure that all businesses are doing everything possible to make their premises safe.
Ultimately, this is in everybody’s interest.
Self-evidently, it’s in the public interest to reduce the risk of the virus being transmitted in pubs and restaurants – and to ensure that where there are outbreaks Test and Protect can contact everybody it needs to contact.
And it is also in the interests of the hospitality trade. The rules and guidance that take effect today are vital in ensuring that the sector can stay open safely now and into the winter period.
Alongside the guidance for hospitality businesses, we are publishing guidance for customers.
This will appear on the Scottish Government’s website, and if you are planning to go to a pub or restaurant I would ask you to take the time to read it, because the responsibility for ensuring that these rules operate effectively does not just belong to government, or indeed to businesses. It lies with all of us.
In particular, I want to remind everyone that the rules on indoor and outdoor gatherings apply, not just in your own homes although they are very important in your own homes or gardens, but they also apply in bars and restaurants.
No more than three households, with a maximum of eight people, should be meeting together indoors, whether that is a house, pub, restaurant or cafe. Outdoors, the maximum group size is 15 people, from no more than five households.
And within any group, people from different households must physically distance.
I know that sticking to that can be difficult. But it is really crucial.
Keeping our distance from other households, is an essential part of minimising the risk of transmission.
And finally, we are asking customers to minimise the number of premises you visit in any one day.
The more settings you go to, the more likely you might be to get Covid, and the more likely you might be to spread it. Visiting lots of pubs in a single day or evening massively increases as well the workload potentially of Test and Protect.
So please think about that. It makes a really big difference if you stay in one pub, or whether you go to several.
And more generally, if you are going out a lot at the moment, and this is a really difficult thing to ask people to do, but I am going to ask you to think about that. If you are going out to pubs or restaurants or going to other people’s houses regularly because as I have said before this is not easy – nobody’s life should be feeling absolutely normal yet. Nobody’s social life should feel exactly as it was before Covid struck.
The guidance we are publishing today will only work if all of us, as customers, individuals, as citizens, play our part. So I would encourage everybody to read the guidance, think about it, and help our hospitality businesses stay open.
This is not easy and I am very aware as I have just read through the rules and regulations there, that it is complicated. So please, if you are going out, take the time to familiarise yourself with the guidance first and try to stick to it when you are out.
And as I said yesterday, I have said before, wherever you are, assume the virus is in the room with you, because it very possibly is and therefore everything you do in sticking to these rules is denying it the opportunities to spread.
And lastly, just let me repeat my warning yesterday about house parties or gatherings. They pose a real risk and again the data we have from Test and Protect show that they are a driver of transmission right now, just as hospitality premises are.
So remember, in your own home or in a friend’s house, no more than eight people from no more than three households should be gathering together. And you must keep a 2 metre distance from people from different households. It’s pain for everybody to be living this way but it is better than having this virus run out of control.
So please, I am appealing to everybody, to be very conscious about everything you are doing in this regard right now.
And that brings me to the fundamental point but the one I want to end on, and it is one you have heard me make so many times before but it is really important that we all understand it.
Ultimately, the spread of this virus, whether it accelerates again or we manage to keep it under control, comes down to the decisions all of us are making as individuals.
So we need to think very carefully about those decisions. It’s quite simple, if we all stick to the rules and the guidance, then we don’t completely eradicate the risk of this virus because that’s not how viruses work, but we massively reduce the risks of it spreading from one of us to another and from one household to another.
So, please think carefully about this. Aberdeen tells us that we can go backwards in this journey out of lockdown just as easily, perhaps more easily if we are not careful than we can go forwards.
So, I’ll end with my usual reminder of the FACTS campaign. It is so important that everybody follows these five golden rules.
Face coverings, shops, public transport already the law of course, but in any enclosed space
Avoid crowded places. That obviously is really important indoors but it is important outdoors as well
Clean your hands obsessively and clean hard surfaces, that you are touching, obsessively as well
Two metre distancing remains the rule
and Self isolate, and book a test, if you have any of the symptoms.
Let me remind you what the symptoms are because I have heard one or two suggestions in recent days that people are still not familiar with the symptoms to look out for, which is understandable, so let me remind you.
A new cough, a fever, or a loss of or change to your sense of taste or smell. Any one of these symptoms or anything that is worrying you around with that,don’t wait to see if you feel better. Go to NHS inform and book a test straight away and apart from going to get the test, self-isolate immediately because that helps us straight away reduce and break those potential chains of transmission.
So, thank you again for doing all of this and please, my final point before handing over to the Justice Secretary, is for those of you watching this and hearing this directly, please help me get this message to as wide an audience as possible by passing it on to your family members, who might be at work or school, passing it on to your friends, people you work with.
We all have a job to do here to make sure everybody knows what we should be doing and shouldn’t be doing and all of us stick to that.
From today it is mandatory for hospitality settings to collect the contact details of visitors to their premises in support of Test and Protect. The new regulations apply to restaurants, cafes, pubs and hotels in which food or drink are sold for consumption on the premises.
These businesses must now record the name and contact number of an individual – or lead member of each household in a group – that visits the premises.
They must also record the date of the visit, the time of arrival, and where possible the departure time.
The new regulations include customers, staff working on a particular day and visitors such as delivery drivers or cleaners.
Premises must store the information for 21 days and share it when requested to do so by public health officers within 24 hours.
New statutory guidance for the hospitality sector has been published which explains how to keep a record of customer and visitor contact details securely ensuring data protection principles are upheld.
The Scottish Government has also published updated guidance for hospitality customers to reinforce key safety measures.
This includes the need to maintain physical distancing and the strict limits on the number of households that can meet at a time – 8 people from up to 3 households indoors and 15 people from up to 5 households outdoors.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “While many hospitality businesses have acted responsibly by adhering to the voluntary approach of collecting customer details, unfortunately too many others have not, and so – given the established high risk of virus transmission within hospitality settings – we have decided to make this mandatory.
“Strengthening this requirement to collect and share the data by moving it from guidance into regulations ensures that in the event of an outbreak, through the Test and Protect process, it will be possible to get in touch with anyone identified as a close contact who was present at the same time as an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19.
“This will help us break chains of transmission while continuing to allow us to socialise and support our local businesses.
“It is worth stressing that for those hospitality venues which are already complying with guidance, they will see minimal change to their procedures and operations.”
Chief executive of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association Emma McClarkin said: “The majority of Scotland’s pubs and bars had already gone above and beyond in putting measures in place to keep customers safe during this time.
“These changes today will help ensure those premises which have fallen short no longer do so, and we welcome that clarity.
“We’re all in this together and the stronger we are now, the sooner we will be able to see these restrictions disappear.”
A failure to have the required arrangements in place will be punishable by a Fixed Penalty Notice under the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020. A continuing failure could be enforced by repeated fines of up to £960.
Read the hospitality statutory guidance
Read the guidance on the collection of customer contact details
Local charities and good causes impacted by COVID-19 are being urged to apply for up to £20,000 in funding.
Organisations can apply to Postcode Neighbourhood Trust for grants between £500 and £20,000 from now until Wednesday 19th August, when applications will close.
The funding boost is available thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Groups looking to increase their resilience, adapt or expand their services as a result of the pandemic should apply. Funding will support a variety of activities, including covering core costs.
Interested applicants should make use of the short funding guide and eligibility quiz to ensure they are eligible to be considered.
Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “Over the past few months we’ve seen the important role grassroots good causes play in communities across Britain.
“There will be challenging times ahead so I’m delighted that players of People’s Postcode Lottery can support these organisations with this funding opportunity. Up to £4 million will be awarded in grants through Postcode Neighbourhood Trust, so I encourage small, local charities to make sure they get an application in by the 19th August.”
A minimum of 32% of each ticket goes directly to charities. Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised more than £600 million for over 8,500 good causes across Britain and internationally since 2005.
Groups that may not be suitable for funding through Postcode Neighbourhood Trust can apply to one of three other trusts, also supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. People’s Postcode Trust, Postcode Local Trust and Postcode Community Trust all support different themes and more information can be found at the website for each:
Parents in Edinburgh are being urged to give their kids an early lesson on the importance of keeping healthy and hydrated as part of their planning on the long-awaited return to school.
Scots health and nutrition expert Amanda Hamilton is supporting a drive by Scottish Water to ensure that every child’s back to school regime includes a reusable water bottle along with the standard new blazer, gym kit and pencil case.
As part of a family’s daily school regime, it is recommended to fill a pupil’s water bottle at home before getting to classes.
Amanda, a mother-of-two and best-selling author, said although parents should be encouraged at all times to educate their children about the benefits of water – but the start of the new school term, especially after the enforced lengthy shutdown of schools, is the perfect platform.
Amanda said: “Ensuring children to have a regular water intake throughout the school day is a vital aspect to maintain good health and a healthy learning environment.
“It has been proven that through drinking water and staying hydrated children are more attentive and focused during lessons for longer periods of time.
“We are lucky to have safe and delicious water from the tap, we should all be making the most of it. For parents trying to wean kids off sugary drinks, it can help to add a slice or orange, lemon or even a sprig of mint to tap water for extra flavour.
“Like many families, in my home we do all we can do reduce the use of plastic. We’ve made it part of the daily routine to re-fill water bottles from the tap.
“By highlighting the benefits of a reusable water bottle and filling up from the tap, we are helping to instil in children the small daily habits that can make a big difference. The reality is that this is a message for all ages – so using a reusable water bottle is just as applicable for staff returning to workplaces too.”
The advice comes as Scottish Water continues to expand its ‘Your Water Your Life’ campaign which aims to encourage people to top up from the tap to benefit the environment, their health and their pocket.
Brian Lironi, Director of Corporate Affairs at Scottish Water, said: ‘Your Water Your Life’ aims to highlight the importance water plays in the lives of people across Scotland.
“Every child needs to be aware of the benefits of a reusable water bottle – and of just how easy it is to use one to top up with tap water and so continue to enjoy the benefits of our nation’s greatest natural asset.
“We’d always encourage parents and children to make sure they have a water bottle included as a key part of their back-to-school planning, in the same way as sorting out new trainers or a school bag.”
To encourage people to stay hydrated on the go, a network of Top up Taps is being installed by Scottish Water throughout the country. Nearly 30 taps are already sited – the first one being outside the Scottish Parliament – and the aim is to have 70 taps installed at public spaces by March 2021.
Find out more at: https://www.yourwateryourlife.co.uk/
The SPFL has agreed to implement an urgent package of measures – and to the postponement of a limited number of Scottish Premiership fixtures – following another breach of protocols.
The decision was taken by the SPFL, following discussion with Ministers, after Celtic FC player Boli Bolingoli allegedly failed to self-isolate for the required 14 day quarantine period after returning from Spain.
The player apparently did not declare this trip to the club and continued to break the resumption of performance sport protocols by taking part in training and playing in the club’s game against Kilmarnock FC on Sunday.
This follows the earlier breach of protocol involving players from Aberdeen FC.
Matches involving Aberdeen and Celtic this midweek, and the match between the two clubs scheduled for this weekend – three games in total – will now be postponed.
In addition:
Minister for Sport Joe FitzPatrick said: “A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes during these past months to create the protocols and testing regimes that have allowed top level professional football in Scotland to resume, without putting the public or others at unnecessary risk.
“It is up to the football authorities, clubs and individuals within those clubs to take responsibility to ensure that these protocols are followed rigorously. Unfortunately, over the past few weeks, we have seen multiple examples where that hasn’t happened.
“This latest example indicates that the current arrangements are not working as intended, and so clearly additional steps now need to be taken to ensure that the necessity of strict compliance with the rules is fully and properly understood.”
National Clinical Director Jason Leitch said: “I share the disappointment of many fans at this setback but this is another example which unfortunately demonstrates that the current system is not working as intended and does not give me the confidence I need that the required protocols are being followed.
“The football authorities and clubs must be able to provide the Scottish Government with the confidence required that everyone involved in the sport understands the absolute necessity of adhering rigorously to the guidelines in place so that football does not present an unnecessary risk to public health more generally.”
Rod Petrie, Chair of the SPFL Joint Response Group, said: “The Joint Response Group has acted swiftly and decisively in addressing the latest concerns raised by the minister on behalf of Scottish Government.
While the decision to postpone these games is deeply regrettable nevertheless in the circumstances it is unavoidable and uncontestable.
“The JRG members were astounded to learn of the recklessness demonstrated by Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo in his breach of government public health guidance and football protocols. We echo the sentiments of Celtic FC in their condemnatory statement and commend the club’s swiftness in opening a disciplinary investigation.
“That this comes on the back of eight Aberdeen players showing similar disregard for public health is disrespectful not just to every football team-mate, fellow player and colleague but also to every fan in this country. It is also hugely damaging to the image, reputation and sustainability of the game.
“We sympathise with the position this puts the Scottish Government in as the country is tentatively easing its way out of lockdown restrictions.
“We agree wholeheartedly with the unequivocal message relayed to managers and captains by the National Clinical Director for Scotland, Professor Jason Leitch, last night. Clubs and players are in no doubt that there is now no more margin for error and no more scope for further breaches.
“Since March, the Joint Response Group has worked hand-in-hand with government advisers and medical experts to ensure a safe return for the professional game, with clubs undertaking to fulfil their obligations.
“Players must heed the warning of the First Minister that this is a yellow-card moment for Scottish football.”
Neil Doncaster, SPFL Chief Executive, added: “We have only been able to restart matches thanks to the enormous efforts and sacrifices of literally thousands of people across the Scottish game. For anyone to put that in jeopardy in such a thoughtless and selfish manner is just beyond belief.
“The vast majority of players and officials who have strictly observed the necessary restrictions will rightly see this as a real kick in the teeth.
“Everyone knows that this season’s fixture schedule is already horrendously tight without having to reschedule matches because of the irresponsible actions of a handful of players.”
Local DJ Jim Henderson – aka DJ Edinburgh – handed over a cheque for £900 to Drylaw Rainbow Club Day Centre’s Jacke Brown yesterday.
Jim staged a ‘Live Aid 2020’ event last month to support the Rainbow Club, who are part of an area-wide network of local organisations who are supporting our community’s most vulnerable people with food parcels and essential supplies during the coronavirus pandemic.
Feed The World Drylaw Telford! Well done, Jim!
A new initiative to support Edinburgh’s hard-hit tourism and hospitality industry has gone live. The ForeverEdinburgh campaign has been developed by the Edinburgh Tourism Action Group (ETAG), working closely with the City of Edinburgh Council and industry partners from across the sector, including hoteliers, visitor attractions, bars and restaurants, events and festivals and transport.
The campaign aims to maintain Edinburgh’s position as the UK’s top visitor destination outside of London, attracting over 4 million visitors a year and employing 34,000 of the city’s 513,000 residents. Its launch follows the recent relaxation of lockdown restrictions for many parts of the tourism and hospitality sector which has allowed businesses to reopen over the last month.
Edinburgh’s tourism sector has gone from strength to strength in recent years but has seen a very dramatic reversal of fortunes recently. It was only a few short months ago that the key challenge was how to address the concerns around over tourism in the city.
However, the impact of the COVID19 pandemic has hit the city particularly hard and while the relaxation of lockdown rules has seen a boom in staycations in more rural parts of Scotland, visitors remain cautious about visiting city locations and key draws to the city, such as major events, festivals and business conferences have had to be cancelled.
The ForeverEdinburgh initiative aims to ‘inform and inspire’ residents and visitors alike, giving them the confidence to come into the city by communicating the new safety measures in place right across the city, ensuring people feel prepared and reassured.
A new website soon to be launched, will provide information to help people plan their visit responsibly as well as recommend things to see and do and, for those from further afield, where to stay.
Edinburgh residents and visitors will be invited to share what they love most about Edinburgh using #ForeverEdinburgh. From local walks and cycle routes to favourite restaurants or the best place to get a cappuccino, ForeverEdinburgh will inspire people to get into the city again, whether that’s to revisit an old gem or discover a new one.
Local businesses are encouraged to engage with the ForeverEdinburgh campaign and be part of a united, city-wide movement with increased visibility and social engagement through #ForeverEdinburgh.
A digital toolkit with flexible campaign assets designed for easy integration with existing brand and marketing collateral will be available to download at www.etag.org.uk.
Donald Emslie, Chair of ETAG, said: “The impact of COVID-19 and the implications for the tourism sector in Edinburgh are unlike anything we have experienced before. It was clear from the very early days of the crisis that Edinburgh’s tourism sector was going to be particularly hard hit, putting many jobs and businesses at risk.
“It was also clear that a new approach to promoting the city’s tourism offer would be required, making public health issues the top priority to ensure the safety of residents, visitors and those working in the industry.
“A key challenge is also the rapidly changing situation, so rather than create a traditional tourism marketing campaign, the #foreveredinburgh initiative is designed to ‘inform and inspire’ people and importantly create a platform which tourism businesses of all types and sizes can be part of.
“ETAG recently surveyed the city’s tourism sector and this demonstrated that their collective social media reach is over 3 million followers, so working together and harnessing this huge resource to promote the city creates a very strong voice for the city.
“ForeverEdinburgh will also encourage residents and visitors themselves to share what they love about the city, creating a genuine ‘Team Edinburgh’ effort to support the many jobs and businesses that rely on visitor income and contribute to the wider city economy, and so we are hoping as many people as possible will get behind the Forever Edinburgh campaign.”
Adam McVey, Leader of City of Edinburgh Council said: “There is no underestimating how important tourism and hospitality is to Edinburgh, whether that’s in terms of our city’s economy, local businesses and jobs or our residents’ wellbeing and enjoyment.
“We’re lucky to have such an incredibly vibrant and varied offering at our fingertips – in part driven by the high levels of visitors that our beautiful city attracts – and we need to act urgently to provide support to our local businesses and help build the industry back to be as sustainable and resilient as possible.
“At the same time, we have to carefully balance this support with ensuring that Edinburgers can enjoy these businesses safely and without compromising their own health or that of others.
“Like all of our recovery efforts, we’re taking a Team Edinburgh approach to backing and implementing the campaign and we’re confident that by working together we can encourage Edinburgers to rediscover parts of their city safely and fall in love with it all over again. We’ll not only see the buzz that we’ve missed so much return to our streets, we’ll also see a positive impact on our local high streets across the city to boost local business and help protect jobs.”
The ForeverEdinburgh campaign has been created in partnership with Edinburgh-based The Lane Agency, who have an award-winning track record with high-profile destination campaigns across Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Chris Bruce, Director of The Lane Agency, said: “We’ve worked on City of Edinburgh campaigns in the past, however this one was more poignant and important than ever.
“We’ve all experienced eerily silent offices and shops and share a desire to see Edinburgh safely returning to the vibrant, buzzing city we know. It has been a privilege working on a campaign that will reintroduce the city to its residents and visitors.”
Elaine Green, Edinburgh Capital Group, commented: “Edinburgh Capital Group members are delighted to cement their role as reasons to visit Edinburgh by being part of Team Edinburgh’s #ForeverEdinburgh campaign and hope it will encourage locals to get to know their beautiful city better and the array of attractions, tours and events it has to offer.
“Our members are all certified by the UK-wide ‘We’re Good to Go’ scheme and ready to welcome visitors.”
Neil Ellis, Chair Edinburgh Hotels Association, said: “The Edinburgh Hotels Association as a #ForeverEdinburgh partner, is grateful to ETAG for spearheading on this very much welcome and needed campaign for our amazing capital city. Our members stand ready, as they always have, to safely welcome guests from near and far for that no doubt, well-earned city break.
Lyndsay Wilkie, Director, Business Development at The University of Edinburgh who run three hotels and multiple venues across the City, said: “Edinburgh’s tourism and hospitality industry has always been so vibrant and something we are all proud of, which is why it makes it so hard to see the City’s hotels, venues and restaurants so quiet at what would normally be our busiest time of the year.
“That’s why we are delighted to be partnering with ETAG, City of Edinburgh Council and other key industry partners on the #ForeverEdinburgh campaign, as it’s now more important than ever that we come together to showcase what Edinburgh has to offer.
“I know how much energy we’ve put into making our hotels and venues safe for our guests and delegates, and we are lucky that our City has so much green and open space for our visitors to enjoy, this campaign will help us all to tell this story and give confidence to our guests of the future.”
The ForeverEdinburgh campaign is jointly funded by City of Edinburgh Council, ETAG and industry partners. The core objectives of the initiative are to maintain Edinburgh’s position as a top visitor destination, to drive footfall in a safe and responsible way, and ultimately safeguard jobs and businesses right across the city’s tourism and hospitality industry.
Partners include:
