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Fort Kinnaird has confirmed its festive opening times for last minute shopping and anyone planning a day out over the Christmas period.
Fort Kinnaird’s full opening times in the run up to and throughout the Christmas week are:
Friday 20th December: 9am – 9pm
Saturday 21st December: 9am – 6pm
Sunday 22nd December: 9am – 6pm
Monday 23rd December: 9am – 9pm
Tuesday 24th December (Christmas Eve): 9am – 5pm
Wednesday 25th December (Christmas Day): Closed
Thursday 26th December (Boxing Day): 9am – 6pm
Friday 27th December: 9am – 8pm
Saturday 28th December: 9am – 6pm
Sunday 29th December: 9am – 6pm
Monday 30th December: 9am – 9pm
Tuesday 31st December (Hogmanay): 9am – 5pm
Wednesday 1st January (New Year’s Day): Selected stores open from 9am 6pm
Thursday 2nd January (Bank Holiday): 9am – 8pm
Friday 3rd January: 9am – 8pm
Saturday 4th January – normal trading hours resume: 9am – 6pm
Opening days and times will vary by store, so it’s always recommended that visitors check with individual retailers before setting off.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “Whether you’re visiting to pick up last-minute Christmas gifts, enjoy a seasonal meal, or simply to spend time with loved ones, we’re here right through the festive period to ensure you can get everything you need.”
In collaboration with Edinburgh-based charity, Cyrenians, Fort Kinnaird has also launched a Letters of Hope initiative this festive season, collecting and distributing heartfelt Christmas cards to those at risk of homelessness in and around the city.
Shoppers can post letters and cards into the special post box – located outside ODEON Cinema – until 20th December. They will then be distributed by Cyrenians in plenty of time for Christmas.
Fort Kinnaird has revealed the successful candidate in its search for a new Chief Christmas Officer (CCO) – with six-year-old Ruari from East Lothian appointed in the inaugural role.
Ruari was recruited to try out the wealth of retailers and festive experiences at the centre for free, indulging in tasty seasonal treats and bagging plenty of Christmas goodies to make sure they’re fit for a fun-filled festive season.
Ruari’s application stood out to Fort Kinnaird due to his volunteering efforts from a young age and passion for helping others, that the team felt should be rewarded. Ruari volunteers for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) with his granny, helping to collect cans and support at craft stalls. He has also encouraged his school to take part in fundraising for CHAS at Christmas over the last few years too.
Ruari spent a full day at the centre this week, testing out the diverse range of activities available. From watching seasonal favourite, Home Alone, at ODEON Cinema to reviewing the new festive menu at Frankie & Benny’s.
After sampling the new festive hot chocolate and treats at Hotel Chocolat, Ruari also got to test out this year’s most popular toys and gadgets at Menkind – and even got to take one home!
He said: “When Mummy told me I was going to be Chief Christmas Officer for Fort Kinnaird I felt really excited and happy – it was such a fun visit!”
Mum Sarah added: “Ruari knows being kind is the most important thing you can be and to have his efforts recognised in this way is really special.
“I’m so grateful to the team at Fort Kinnaird for making the day so much fun.”
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We had some wonderful applications for our Chief Christmas Officer role, and were blown away by the number of entries and everyone’s passion for the job!
“It was a difficult decision to select just one candidate, but Ruari stood out as a brilliant choice for us and he’s done a great job in putting our festive fun to the test.
“We’re always looking for ways to enhance our visitor experience, and we’d like to thank Ruari for helping us to do just that.”
For more information on the stores available at Fort Kinnaird, please visit:
The Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Tour will visit Edinburgh on Saturday 30th November at 12pm
With the ambition to make kindness travel, the tour will encourage visitors to embrace their inner Santa and share an act of kindness with others during the festive season.
Bringing friends and family together to enjoy a magical moment of festive fun, the loved tour will this year support FareShare, the UK’s biggest charity fighting hunger and food waste.
Holidays Are Coming! The magic of the holiday season is set to sparkle even brighter this year and to celebrate, the Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Tour, will be parking today at Fort Kinnard, from 12pm to 8pm!
Under a canopy of twinkling lights and festive music, visitors will be able to enjoy fun, festive games, participate in a lucky dip with the chance to win exclusive Coca-Cola merchandise and experience a festive food truck that will serve up delicious seasonal tastes alongside an ice-cold Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, all whilst capturing that perfect seasonal selfie in front of the iconic red truck.
Bringing friends and family together to enjoy a magical moment of festive fun, the loved tour will this year support FareShare, the UK’s biggest charity fighting hunger and food waste.
Promising to be bigger and better than ever before and set in a magical winter wonderland setting, for every person that attends the Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Tour, the equivalent of a meal will be donated on their behalf. Coca-Cola aims to donate the equivalent of up to a total of 1 million meals* via FareShare this festive season.
FareShare works with the food industry to redistribute surplus food, which might otherwise go to waste, to a network of 8,000 charities and community groups across the UK. These groups include community centres, faith groups, homelessness shelters, refuges, and schools, all working hard to support people in need. Food is used to bring people together, strengthening communities and helping people access vital support services.
Kirsty Ford, Head of Fundraising at FareShare said: “We are so grateful to Coca-Cola for their continued support for FareShare.
“These invaluable donations help us get good-to-eat food to the people who need it rather than going to waste. Every day, the food we redistribute to a network of over 8,000 charities in every region helps to strengthen communities.
“Coca-Cola’s generous support for FareShare is instrumental in helping people affected by the cost-of-living crisis. This support means charities can unite more people through food to form connections and access essential support services. Thank you for helping FareShare make the food go further.”
This year, the Coca-Cola Truck Tour focuses on the ambition to make kindness travel. Echoing the wider Coca-Cola Christmas campaign message, “The World Needs More Santas”, the tour will encourage visitors from Gateshead to embrace their inner Santa and share an act of kindness with others during the festive season.
Florence Wheatley, Marketing Manager for Coca-Cola Great Britain Coca-Cola, said: “Coca-Cola has and remains synonymous with Christmas, with many people eagerly awaiting the Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Tour and Holidays Are Coming advert to create a little festive magic.
“This year, we’re delighted to continue our relationship with FareShare to support its mission to reduce hunger and surplus food waste. We hope that every person that attends the Truck Tour not only experiences the magic of Coca-Cola Christmas, but also supports FareShare, knowing that the equivalent of a meal has been donated on their behalf, acting as a little moment of kindness to ensure that thousands of people across the country enjoy a more meaningful Christmas.”
For those unable to visit the Coca-Cola Christmas Truck in person, from November, a promotion with Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Coca-Cola Original Taste will invite fans to scan on-pack QR codes for the chance to win Christmas shopping vouchers!
With a packed schedule of exciting Truck Tour stops taking place throughout Great Britain in the lead-up to Christmas, eager Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Tour fans can follow announcements about the schedule which will be made over the coming weeks at @CocaColaGBI (Instagram) and @CocaCola_GB (Twitter).
Fort Kinnaird is calling on customers to help spread festive cheer in the community this Christmas.
The centre has teamed up with Cyrenians, an Edinburgh-based charity that tackles the causes and consequences of homelessness, to launch a ‘Letters of Hope’ initiative, as part of the charity’s winter appeal to combat social isolation.
The local community are being asked to write their warm wishes in a Christmas card or letter and post without an envelope in its ‘Letters of Hope’ mailbox free of charge. The initiative will then see these heartfelt Christmas cards distributed to those at risk of homelessness in and around Edinburgh.
There will also be a contactless donation point where shoppers can tap to donate £3, £5 or £10 as well as a QR code displayed on the side of the post box where visitors will be able to tap to make donations and support the charity’s vital work in the city.
The initiative is part of Cyrenians’ Winter Appeal which launched earlier this week to support the charity’s services to stop homelessness in its tracks. The city is facing significant housing challenges, and the funds raised will help Cyrienians reach more people this winter, while providing a little light through initiatives like the Letters of Hope mailbox.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “While Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year for many of us, we know that the winter months, and especially the festive season, can be challenging for those experiencing homelessness.
“It’s our visitors who make Christmas so special for us here at Fort Kinnaird, so we know we can count on them to spread some cheer to those who need it most.
“We hope our ‘Letters of Hope’ initiative, and the fundraising support for Cyrenians, will help to bring a few more smiles over the seasonal period.”
Sophie Bell, Fundraising Manager at Cyrenians, said: “Winter is dark enough, so we are delighted to be partnering with Fort Kinnaird this season to bring a little light to those who need it most.
“Cyrenians works across the community to break the cycle of homelessness. With services across addiction recovery, family mediation, supported housing, food distribution and more, we will provide vital support to many people who are struggling this Christmas. Thanks to Fort Kinnaird and their customers, we can work to tackle homelessness together.”
Letters and cards can be posted into the special post box – located outside ODEON Cinema – from now until 20th December when they will be distributed by Cyrenians in plenty of time for Christmas.
The Leith Collective launches annual Christmas tree exchange with an extra personal touch this year
A shocking 14% of people said they would throw away their artificial Christmas tree rather than reuse it next year*. With the planet facing an environmental emergency and people facing a continuing cost of living crisis, one local Community Interest Company is determined to put an end to this mindless waste and send a message of hope to those in need in the process.
Sunday 1st December will see The Leith Collective launch its annual Christmas tree exchange across its four Scottish stores, and this year it’s adding an extra personal touch. Locals are being urged to search their homes for any unwanted Christmas trees and decorations that may be languishing in cupboards and attics. Instead of sending them to landfill, they can drop them off at The Leith Collective stores where they will be passed on to those in need.
The Leith Collective is also calling on Christmas shoppers to take time out of their present hunting to stop and think of others by writing messages of hope on decorations which will be hung on these pre-loved Christmas trees to lift spirits and spread joy this season.
Last year, The Leith Collective re-homed almost 500 Christmas trees and demand is expected to be just as high this year.
Speaking ahead of the Christmas tree exchange launch, The Leith Collective founder, Sara Thomson, said; “We want people to stop and think of others this Christmas. Passing on trees and Christmas decorations is not only good for the planet, but it’s also a lovely way of adding a little festive joy to the lives of those less fortunate.
!And by taking the time to write a thoughtful message to accompany each tree, we hope it will help people to connect with others. To those receiving these trees and personalised decorations, we hope it offers them comfort to know people are thinking of them this Christmas.”
Christmas trees and decorations will be available for anyone to collect at Edinburgh’s Fort Kinnaird, Ocean Terminal and Waverley Market stores, as well as Dundee’s Overgate store, during opening hours completely free of charge. No stigma, no judgement, no questions asked.
In the lead up to the festive period, Fort Kinnaird is on the hunt for its first ever Chief Christmas Officer (CCO)!
The lucky young recruit will bag their dream role, with the opportunity to try out the wealth of retailers and experiences at the centre for free, indulging in tasty festive treats and bagging plenty of Christmas goodies all in exchange for their review.
The new CCO will spend a big day out at the centre from seeing one of the latest movies at ODEON Cinema to reviewing the new festive menu at Frankie & Benny’s, with Fort Kinnaird’s newest and littlest recruit rating their experience to make sure it’s fit for a fun-filled festive season.
What’s more, the CCO will also get the chance to sample the new festive hot chocolate and treats at Hotel Chocolat and test out this year’s most popular toys and gadgets at Menkind, with the lucky individual getting to take one home.
The ideal candidate for the role will be a fun-loving adventurer who loves trying new experiences and must be aged between six and twelve.
To apply for the opportunity of a lifetime, youngsters should ask their parent or guardian to email fortkinniard.CCO@citypress.co.uk with their name, age and why they’d be the perfect candidate, by Monday 2nd December at 23:59.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “At Fort Kinnaird, we’re constantly working to improve the experience of our visitors, and launching the quest for our new Chief Christmas Officer does just that – helping one lucky family to make unforgettable memories while ensuring our festivities are up to scratch!
“Whether you’re shopping for a new Christmas outfit, sampling the latest festive menus or catching a much-loved family-favourite on the big screen, Fort Kinnaird is the perfect place to enjoy a family day out, and our CCO’s suggestions will help us to make sure we’re giving visitors the best possible festive season.
“This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a child to become our new Chief Christmas Officer will be the ultimate test to see how we shape up, and we can’t wait to welcome the lucky recruit to the centre!”
For more information and to find out whether the CCO role is for you, please see the full job description and terms & conditions, here.
The Leith Collective at Fort Kinnaird is launching its annual winter coat exchange tomorrow (Tuesday 1st October) to provide the local community with access to pre-loved coats for free during the colder months.
The independent store, located between Mango and WHSmith, is inviting local residents and businesses to donate good quality winter coats they no longer need, with men’s and children’s coats in highest demand.
Members of the local community will then be able to browse the collection of coats instore and pick up one up for themselves and their family, completely free of charge, with no questions asked.
The initiative builds on last year’s success, where more than 10,000 coats were donated and distributed across the region.
Sara Thomson, founder of The Leith Collective, said:“People often discard their old coats or leave them hidden at the back of a wardrobe when they are still in perfectly good condition and could provide someone else warmth over the winter months.
“A comfortable winter coat is a basic necessity, but for families that have been continually stretched, it can be yet another essential item that they are having to sacrifice, so we invite anyone who needs support to make use of the service this year.
“We’re also very grateful to everyone who donated last year, and hope people are able to support again this year, our only ask is that the coats donated are still in a good quality condition and that all personal belongings have been removed from the pockets.”
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said:“We’re incredibly proud of our partnership with The Leith Collective and the hugely important initiatives Sara and the team run all year round to benefit our local community – and the winter coat exchange plays a huge part in this.
“Not only has it provided valuable support to those who need it most for three years running, it also offers shoppers the opportunity to make sustainable choices for pre-loved coats that they no longer need. I look forward to seeing the impact I’m sure it will have again this year.”
The Leith Collective showcases the work of more than 300 artists and makers from all over Scotland, brought together by a common aim to reuse, recycle, and reclaim. It resells items that may otherwise have been destined for landfill and all of its stores also host a range of creative workshops focused on sustainability.
Scotland’s largest outdoor shopping centre, Fort Kinnaird, is on the lookout for local performers to step into the spotlight as part of its inaugural Summer Live event.
Taking place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 2nd August – 18th August between 12-5pm, the centre is giving all type of performers from musicians, dancers and actors, to uplifting choirs, spoken word poets and solo singers the chance to showcase their talents to hundreds of local people.
The Summer Live stage will be set up near Hotel Chocolat, with a seating area for visitors to enjoy acts, and performers will be allocated a 30-minute time slot.
Fort Kinnaird is also partnering with East Lothian Arts Service – a council run programme supporting the arts – to host a series of workshops and performances from local community groups across the three weekends.
This will include sessions from The Brunton’s Performing Arts Network, East Lothian Youth Music Forum (ELJam), Sistema and Tinderbox Collective. Separately there will also be a variety of performances from The Theatre School of Scotland.
And as part of the centre’s commitment to supporting the arts, Fort Kinnaird will also be donating £1,000 to Tinderbox Collective to support an ongoing initiative to get musical instruments into public libraries, so people can borrow them for free – just like taking out a book – which is currently operated locally within Craigmillar and Moredun libraries.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said:“With a series of city-centre events hosting Edinburgh’s talent across the summer, we wanted to get involved to support even more local performers and groups to share their talent with the local community.
“We also hope our donation to Tinderbox Collective will help more people discover or continue to pursue their musical talents.
“We’re incredibly excited for our first ever Summer Live event. If you would like to take part, or even just find out more information, we’d encourage you to get in touch as soon as possible as we expect the line-up to fill up pretty quickly.”
Fancy taking part? All you need to do is contact info@fortkinnaird.com with the following:
Your stage name and type of performance
How many people are in your group (maximum is 30)
What times/days you are available and how long your set is
A huge life-sized whale is set to beach at Fort Kinnaird tomorrow (Thursday 25th July), with visitors welcomed to venture inside the stomach of the giant sea creature for a free, captivating storytelling session all about the environment and ocean.
The interactive adventure will be led by a group of engaging storytellers and actors and will educate children and their families on plastic pollution and recycling, all while surrounded by a mesmerizing seascape.
Six shows – suitable for children over three – will take place throughout the day, with 30 spaces available on a first come, first served basis. Booking isn’t required but families are advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment.
The 25 minute sessions will run at 11am, 11.30am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, and 2.30pm, with the whale located next to Smyths Toys and Wagamama.
The event will be supported by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful who work to combat climate change, tackle litter and waste, restore nature and biodiversity and improve places.
Its ambassadors will be at the event, providing free activity sheets to take home to keep the conversation going, including a scavenger hunt that educates little ones on the rubbish and wildlife found in rivers across Scotland. These activities form part of Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Upstream Battle initiative, an award-winning campaign to tackle marine litter at its source.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “Sustainability is a key focus for us at Fort Kinnaird. We champion biodiversity by planting wildflowers and installing beehives to encourage pollination and have committed to sending zero waste to landfill since 2018 – recycling more than 260 tonnes in the process.
“Educating others on the importance of sustainability is part of the pathway to a net zero future, and we’re pleased that we can play a small role in that with this event. Not only is it eye catching, but it provides families with a free activity during the summer holidays – that’s also educational. A win, win!”
Heather McLaughlin, Campaigns and Social Innovation Manager at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “We’re so pleased to be able to support this great initiative at Fort Kinnaird. We know that 80% of marine litter comes from land and the damage it causes.
“It is crucial that young people know the impact the litter emergency is having on our waterways and the importance of protecting them. Fun and engaging activities like this are a great way to get children involved and we can’t wait to see everyone.”
Popular sports brand, adidas, is set to open its doors at Fort Kinnaird this Friday (28th June).
The new 11,000 sq ft store, located near to TK Maxx, Hotel Chocolate and Pandora, is the brand’s first ‘The Pulse’ store in the UK, giving visitors the chance to shop a broad range of adidas’ most popular products.
This includes everything from trainers and gym wear to running gear and accessories. The new Pulse store reflects commercial demand and consumer need. From uplifting design treatments to digital content, Pulse sets a new benchmark across the adidas retail store landscape without compromising on the well sought after product our consumers love.
The grand opening of our new store promises to be a memorable experience, with a lively atmosphere featuring a DJ to entertain shoppers. Consumers can enjoy branded snacks and receive branded bags upon purchase while having the chance to win exciting prizes and gift vouchers.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said:“It’s incredibly exciting that adidas has chosen Fort Kinnaird as the first location in the UK to open its new Pulse store.
“It’s no secret how popular the brand is and we have no doubt the store will prove to be successful with our shoppers – whether they’re looking for a pair of new trainers or getting some of the latest gym wear.
“It’s a really exciting time for us, with Mango also opening recently, our different options for fashion are really growing.”
adidas will join Next, Pandora, H&M and JD Sports already based at the centre. To plan your day out and find the full list of stores and restaurants at Fort Kinnaird, please visit www.fortkinnaird.com
