Staff, residents, relatives and the local community came together at Queens Manor on Queensferry Road to enjoy an Open Day held at the home on Friday 21st June 2024.
Queens Manor hosted a variety of activities throughout the day, including a tasty BBQ prepared by their hospitality team, musical entertainment, pet therapy and even a surprise visit from a local ice cream van, which were enjoyed by everyone who came to the event.
Staff at Queens Manor made everyone feel welcome and were delighted to see different generations having fun together. Visitors enjoyed plenty of refreshments and fun, such as burgers, hot beverages and tasty trifle prepared by the catering team, who were hard at work making sure that a great time was had by all, as well as furry visits from Doc, Frank & Elvis and musical entertainment from Margo the Butterfly singer – it really was a team effort from all!
Resident, Jean Gillies, said, “I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was surrounded by lots of great people, and the refreshments & fun kept flowing into the afternoon. The weather held out until we finished.
“Staff did a great job, not just on the day, but organising the event and getting everyone together. The entertainment was amazing – from the dogs and guineapigs, to the singer and a special shout out to the ice cream man! the van took me back to times I spent with my family at the beach all enjoying 99’s!”
Shannon Cullen, Senior Head of Lifestyle & Enrichment at the home, said: “Staff at Queens Manor are dedicated to making sure that the home is a hub of the local community and residents, and this event, along with all their hard work, has definitely paid off.
“It was a resounding success, with everyone having a great time!”
Queens Manor care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals.
Queens Manor Care Home provides residential care and dementia care for 60 residents from respite care to long term stays.
The Market Stall is back and even better for 2024, starting tomorrow – Thursday 27th June – from 4:30-6pm at the community entrance behind the Toby Carvery car park.
As well as fresh veg picked straight from the Market Garden, we will have even more #NorthEdinburgh produce on offer …
Celebrate the spirit of British summer sports with The Caledonian Edinburgh’s latest afternoon tea, featuring a variety of innovative sandwiches such as Squash, Chilli & Coconut Quiche; Hoisin Duck Crème Fraîche Wrap; and Steelhead Smoked Trout & Pear Chutney.
The pastry chefs have hit it out of the park with selections including the baseball Yogurt & Mango Compote Macaron; football Mint Buttercream & Lime Ganache Battenberg; and tennis Coconut Paste & White Chocolate Crunch Pepite – for sport fans and pastry lovers alike.
Standing proudly at the West End of Princes Street, this former Victorian railway building hotel nestles in the shadow of the imposing Edinburgh Castle. Its reputation for style and excellence has attracted generations of locals, internationals, and notable personalities for over one hundred years.
Formerly the station concourse and ticket office, The Lounge represents the historic heart of the Caley – the perfect setting for an unforgettable afternoon tea.
The British Summer Sports afternoon tea is available in The Lounge, The Caledonian Edinburgh daily from 12:30 – 4pm. Gluten free, vegan, and children’s menus are also available. The menu can be viewed here.
Bookings can be made by emailingdining@edinburghcaledonian.comor calling the reservations team directly at 0131 222 8832.
Following on from the success of their pop-up bar two years’ ago, Skyline Sips is returning to level 5, St James Quarter, Edinburgh on Tuesday 25th June 2024.
The rooftop bar is set to offer a range of drinks, including some exciting and exclusive Chambord cocktails and promises breath-taking vistas towards Edinburgh’s historic Calton Hill.
Skyline Sips will also be offering customers hot food and snacks, in partnership with the neighbouring Everyman Cinema.
Situated between Everyman Cinema and Roomzzz Aparthotels, Skyline Sips will be open every day until 8th September 2024.
Michael Donovan, Managing Director, Sips said: “This is our second time up on the roof at St James Quarter. We were here back in 2022 and thoroughly enjoyed every minute. We’re delighted to be back and look forward to a busy summer.
“The feedback we received in 2022 was very positive and we can’t wait to be part of Edinburgh’s bar scene once again. Whether it’s after-work drinks, groups of friends getting together or a romantic date night, we hope that Skyline Sips will become a firm favourite this summer.”
Established in 2016, Sips is an Edinburgh based pop-up bar company that has operated bars at festivals and events including the Royal Highland Show, Fly Festival, Musselburgh Racecourse and the Edinburgh International Festival.
Visitors to the Aldi marquee can try a range of products this weekend, from Scotch Sirloin Steak to Specially Selected Scottish Tablet
Aldi is set to distribute almost two tonnes of food samples at this year’s Royal Highland Show as it showcases the very best of its Scottish suppliers.
The retailer’s giant marquee will return to Avenue O (30) with 23 suppliers from around the country including Angus Soft Fruits, Brownings the Bakers, and Aldomak.
Aldi has predicted it will give away:
216 litres of ice cream, with flavours such as Belgian chocolate and creamy Madagascan vanilla.
Over 35,000 strawberries, blackberries and raspberries.
Over a tonne of beef products, including Scotch 30-day sirloin steak and Scotch quarter pounders
Over 500kg of sweet treats, including handmade Scottish fudge and caramel shortcake.
80kgs of haggis.
There will also be beer samples from Fierce Beer and Williams Brothers Brewing, giving visitors a sneak peek of what to expect at the retailer’s upcoming Summer Beer Festival, which launches on Thursday 27 June.
Now in its 202nd year, the Royal Highland Show (20-23 June) is a celebration of the country’s best food, farming and rural life, with crowds of 200,000 expected.
Aldi will be returning to Scotland’s biggest outdoor event as it celebrates its 30th year in Scotland, having opened its first store in Kilmarnock in 1994.
Graham Nicolson, Regional Managing Director, Aldi Scotland, said:“We are very proud of the strong relationships that we have built with our Scottish suppliers. Thanks to these relationships, we will have one of our biggest sampling years yet at the Royal Highland Show, the ideal event to showcase the fantastic quality of produce available right here in Scotland.
“I am very grateful to our network of suppliers who are supporting us at this year’s event. I encourage everyone attending the show to visit our marquee and try our Scottish range for themselves; I guarantee they won’t be disappointed.”
Deacon Brodies Tavern, on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, officially reopened this Spring following an extensive 4-week refurbishment, giving the iconic pub an exciting new look. The pub has been given a facelift while keeping its traditional look and feel inside.
Deacon Brodies Tavern is renowned for that truly authentic Scottish pub experience. Built in 1806 on Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile, the pub is named after one of the city’s most famous sons, Deacon William Brodie – one of the inspirations behind Robert Louis Stevenson’s Jekyll and Hyde.
Guests can tuck into all the pub classics, Balmoral Chicken, Nicholson’s Fish and Chips and Haggis, Neeps & Tatties, as well as a delectable range of hand-crafted seasonal Pies to delight discerning guests.
Along with the new food menu, guests will also be greeted with an extensive drinks menu, boasting a wide selection of craft beers, ciders and new to the menu – cocktails.
Speaking about the refurbishment, Deacon Brodies Tavern General Manager, Taufiq Abdu, said: ‘’Deacon Brodie’s Tavern is an iconic Scottish pub, loved by guests from all over the world who visit us to experience our traditional Tavern atmosphere.
“The restoration works undertaken, including painstakingly restoring our original decorative wooden ceiling ensure that our guests can continue to enjoy a wee dram or two with us for years to come…’’
Following the extensive refurbishment and significant investment made at the pub, fifteen new jobs have been created for the local area, with the team now ready to pour pints and serve delicious food to guests.
For more information about Deacon Brodies Tavern please visit:
Confused customers unaware of huge price increases on popular services
TRUSTING diners are being hit by hidden costs when using food delivery apps – with almost half totally unaware of the additional charges they are racking up.
New research commissioned by hospitality technology firm Grafterr, has revealed that 43% of restaurant customers don’t know they’re paying substantially more when ordering their favourite takeaway on popular delivery apps.
Now the firm has revealed the full extent of its research with 2000 restaurant customers, while also sharing a series of tips for those keen to avoid the worst fees.
Andrew Gibbon, Chief Operating Officer of restaurant technology specialist Grafterr, which commissioned the research, said: “Online food aggregators continue to be the most popular method of ordering a delivery across the UK.
“Yet these findings show there is a huge gap in consumer awareness of the costs increases.
“We believe it is vital for customers to understand that they are always paying more to have food delivered than they would if they were dining in at the same venue.”
He also outlines some shocking examples from the High Street, where customers can end up paying 90% more than they need to when having meals delivered via apps.
Examples include the popular Big Mac meal from fast food giant McDonalds. In-store diners will pay £5.69 for a medium meal, but when ordering the same meal via Deliveroo, it’ll cost £9.58 – a 68% increase.
However, the additional charges don’t end there, because customers will still have to pay extra delivery charges, taking the cost of the Big Mac meal to £11.07, meaning the total amount paid is almost doubled (+95%).
Customers of Five Guys also face hefty fees for deliveries. A Bacon Cheeseburger in-store will cost £12.15, but to get the same item delivered can cost up to £16.29, a 34% increase.
Grafterr found the hidden fees for the Five Guys burger also vary according to the delivery app used:
Deliveroo: £14.80 (£16.29 inc delivery)
UberEats: £14.98 (£15.22 inc delivery)
JustEat: £12.95 (£14.24 inc delivery)
Despite the scale of the extra fees being imposed on customers, the survey found that most diners (75%) actually expect to pay LESS when ordering a delivery compared to dining in the same restaurant.
Andrew from Grafterr added: “Despite what customers expect, businesses continually price their online menus higher than their in-store equivalent to help absorb commissions charged by the delivery platforms.
“This is before additional platform fees, service fees and delivery costs are charged to the consumer, all of which can increase your bill by up to 90% in some instances.”
Consumers are not the only ones concerned about rising costs driven by these platforms. With commission rates reaching up to 30%, hospitality venues are finding it increasingly more difficult to deliver savings to their customers.
In 2023, KFC made the controversial decision to leave Deliveroo due to rising commission costs, highlighting the wider impact on both consumers and businesses.
As well as revealing its survey findings, Grafterr has also offered a series of tips for customers on how they can avoid the worst add-on fees to get the best possible deals:
Order directly with the business through their own online platforms, avoiding additional third-party costs.
Dine in where possible.
Order and collect in-store for smaller orders to avoid service, small order and delivery fees which can add 25% on to the cost of the meal.
Sign up to the mailing list for each delivery platform. They often send out discount codes which can reduce the cost of your meal. For example, UberEats has been known to regularly send out 50% off promotions.
These are the findings from the survey on a city-by-city basis. The survey of 2000 restaurant customers was carried out by research experts Opinion Matters:
City
% of diners unaware of the increased fees for deliveries
% of restaurant customers who’d expect to pay less for deliveries than dining in
RHS judge selects plants for tropical planting experience
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is inviting gardening fans along to its Edinburgh store to celebrate the start of summer with its ‘Planting and Afternoon Tea – Holiday Edition’ experience.
According to new research from Censuswide for Dobbies, 45% of Brits enjoy gardening because it gets them outdoors. This in-store experience at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store encourages people to take inspiration from holidays in tropical climates bringing sunny vibes to their garden planting.
Customers can now book the 90-minute event for Tuesday 16 or Saturday 20 July, at 3pm, which will combine the joy of hands-on creativity with the indulgence of a delicious Dobbies’ Afternoon Tea.
Attendees in Edinburgh will get to participate in an interactive workshop led by one of Dobbies’ horti experts with a Q&A and demo on the filler, thriller, and spiller planting technique, using a selection of tropical plants selected by RHS Chelsea Flower Show Chair of Assessors and Dobbies’ Senior Buyer, Claire Bishop.
With this knowledge, customers will then get the chance to create their own tropical planter (worth £30) to take home, using a pot specially selected to showcase the seasonal display.
Attendees will also get the chance to sit back, relax and enjoy a Traditional or Luxury Afternoon Tea at the Edinburgh store.
Guests can delve into three tiers of sweet and savoury treats, complemented by unlimited tea and coffee refills, with an option to upgrade the hot drink.
The Traditional Afternoon Tea offers an assortment of freshly made finger sandwiches, including smoked salmon with cream cheese, egg mayonnaise with watercress, and ham with rocket and wholegrain mustard.
Customers will also get to tuck into Dobbies’ famous scones, served with Cornish clotted cream and a pot of jam, and a delicious selection of sweet treats, including a rainbow meringue kiss and lemon mousse.
Guests also have the option to upgrade their booking with the Luxury Afternoon Tea offering for just £4 extra per person. This has all the loved items of an afternoon tea with an added touch of indulgence.
Delve into a selection of savoury favourites, including cheese and tomato quiche and a selection of elevated finger sandwiches, with smoked salmon, lemon mayonnaise and dill, cheddar cheese and green tomato chutney, and ham, rocket and wholegrain mustard.
Dobbies’ Senior Buyer, Claire Bishop, said: “We’re thrilled to be launching ‘Planting and Afternoon Tea – Holiday Edition’ at our Edinburgh store. It’s the perfect opportunity to ignite your passion for gardening and unwind with a delicious array of savoury and sweet delights.
“This session is all about bringing the vibrancy of your favourite getaway location to your garden as we celebrate the start of summer. Whether it’s the lush greenery of a tropical paradise or the colourful flowers of a European escape, we’ll guide you through creating your own planter with our recommended plants.”
Tickets for Dobbies’ ‘Planting and Afternoon Tea – Holiday Edition’ experience in its Edinburgh store are priced at £40 per person (with the planter valued at £30). Pre-booking is essential, visit www.dobbies.com/events.
Plus, Marco’s announces new sponsorship deal with Disability Darts Scotland champion
It’s official – the game of darts is soaring in popularity! Dubbed the ‘Luke Littler effect’, a whole new generation has been inspired by the teenage champion to grab the arrows and aim for a bullseye. And now Edinburgh is getting in on the action thanks to a brand new interactive area unveiled this week at Marco’s Pool Hall and Pizza Bar.
Forget images of pensioners and pork scratchings – the game of darts has been brought right up to date for Gen Z bar sports fans thanks to Marco’s new high-tech darts area which features state-of-the-art computer vision technology.
Their dartboard reacts to players’ performances with animations, plus players can check their stats and take group selfies – elevating the game to a whole new level of entertainment. From beginners to pro’s, Marco’s offers a unique social gaming experience for darts players of all skill levels.
And to inspire even more people to try their hand at a game of arrows, Marco’s has just announced they will be sponsoring the Scottish darts protégé, Robert Sutherland Junior.
Hailing from West Lothian, Robert is the current Disability Darts Scotland (DDS) champion. He proudly captained the Junior Darts Corporation (JDC) Scotland B Team in Gibraltar in 2023, where his team was placed third in the world.
He clinched the World Disability Darts Association (WDDA) runner-up place at the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Matchplay Championships 2023 and also captained the DDS Scotland Team at the 2024 European Championships.
Reacting to the news of his sponsorship deal, Robert said; “I’m thrilled to have the support of Marco’s. It comes at an exciting time in my career and I’m fully focused on taking darts as far as possible.
“I hope I can show other people that darts is a challenging, fun and inclusive sport that anyone can try their hand at.”
Speaking ahead of the unveiling of the new interactive darts area at Marco’s, owner Paul Demarco said; “It’s fantastic to see a younger generation discover darts for the first time and I’m confident that anyone who tries our interactive dartboard will be hooked!
“The beauty of the game is that anyone can have a go. No doubt Robert Sutherland Junior will inspire many more to take up the sport and we’re proud to support him on his journey to international success.”
The new interactive darts area at Marco’s is the latest addition to the popular Edinburgh entertainment venue which features 18 9ft professional American pool tables, a cocktail and pizza bar, and a private hire karaoke room.
A special introductory darts offer is available for a limited time only – £5 per person per hour, with a minimum of four people per booking.
To experience the thrill of interactive darts for yourself, book here.
Cinnabon, the makers of the world’s most famous icing covered cinnamon rolls, which started out it in Seattle in 1985 and is now in over 48 countries, is set to open its first site in Scotland in The Centre, Livingston this summer.
The American bakery specialises in freshly baked large and mini Bons, which come in a variety of flavours, including the original roll which is the Classic Cinnabon with Makara cinnamon and signature frosting, ChocoBon and Carmel PecanBon.
Visitors to The Centre, Livingston, which is one of the largest in Scotland with over 150 shops and eateries, will also be able to enjoy various drinks to accompany their Cinnabon sweet treats, including espressos and Chillatas milkshakes at the new kiosk which will be located in the heart of the shopping centre.
Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “We are really looking forward to the arrival of Cinnabon, which is guaranteed to be a big hit with fans and those yet to try them out, and we are delighted to be the first site in Scotland to welcome them.
“This is a very exciting time for us at The Centre, Livingston with the recent opening of Rituals and Cinnabon coming soon, which are both great additions to our existing portfolio of fantastic places to shop and dine out.
“We are planning to announce the arrival of even more fantastic new brands to The Centre, Livingston which will really enhance the overall experience for our visitors.”
