River Island has opened a new concept store at Fort Kinnaird, Edinburgh yesterday. The new space is twice the size of the previous store, occupying 10,500 square feet of trading space and promises a fully integrated shopping experience; combining physical and digital with interactive fitting rooms.
River Island’s design-led womenswear clothing and accessories will be offered alongside the brand’s expansive and versatile denim range. Menswear will carry leisurewear, denim in various fits and washes and a sophisticated range of suits and smart wear. Kidswear will offer RI baby, mini and older kids’ ranges with highlights including cute co-ords, special pieces perfect for occasions as well as everyday essentials.
As part of the launch celebrations, from 11th – 13th August, the new River Island store will host a programme of in-store events and activities for shoppers including a ‘Spin the Wheel’ experiential activation, pop-up flower shop by MUD Urban Flowers and in store competitions. The first 100 customers who spend over £55 will also receive a limited-edition tote bag filled with River Island goodies.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We’re very excited to be the first destination in Scotland to open one of River Island’s new concept stores.
“I’m sure our visitors from across the city will be just as intrigued and impressed, particularly with the innovative fitting rooms which will bring a whole new experience to shopping.”
Fort Kinnaird has launched its first ever ‘Little Library’ book swap so children can share and exchange books for free as they get ready to go back to school.
With books for children of all ages, the book swap aims to help families be more sustainable while also providing them with access to new stories free of charge.
More than 100 books have been donated by employees at Fort Kinnaird to stock up the Little Library’s shelves and families are encouraged to put another book back in its place if they take one – but only if they are able to.
Books available include everything from The Hungry Caterpillar and Dear Zoo for younger children, to several of the popular David Walliams novels for older readers.
The book swap will be available at the centre until September and is located in the play park, between Caffé Nero and TGI Fridays.
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Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said:“We’re so pleased to be launching our first book swap. From our ongoing partnership with the National Literacy Trust through the Young Readers Programme, we know how important it is for children to have access to books – both for their imaginations and to support their learning.
“As well as helping families that need a little more support this summer, we also hope this initiative will encourage our visitors to recycle any unwanted books they might have at home and give them a second life. It wouldn’t have been possible without the kind donations from our team, which we’re extremely grateful for and we can’t wait to see children across the community benefitting from it.”
A free skills training session to help people take their first step on the career ladder is being hosted at Fort Kinnaird in collaboration with Capital City Partnership (CCP) next week.
Delivered by the Focus on Recruitment and Training (FORTY) scheme, which is based at the centre, the one-week course on retail and customer service skills will give participants an SQA accredited Customer Service qualification, as well as support with CV building, job applications and interview tips, and an opportunity to be interviewed by a recruiting Fort Kinnaird retailer.
The course is open to anyone aged between 16 and 24, will run from 31st of July – 4th of August.
To help local people build their confidence in applying for retail job vacancies, participants will also have the opportunity to hear from Fort Kinnaird employees about their career journeys to date, alongside getting their advice on applying for retail or hospitality jobs.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We know how difficult applying for a job can be, so we want to help people in our community take the first step – whether it’s moving into employment for the first time or a jump between careers.
“FORTY provides a fantastic opportunity for individuals to seek advice, learn more about the retail industry and gain new qualifications.”
FORTY is funded by Fort Kinnaird’s co-owner, British Land, and in-kind support from the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.
Families will have the chance to meet some of their favourite superheroes for free at Fort Kinnaird this summer.
With four pop-up sessions running between the end of July and beginning of August, visitors can meet a whole range of different superhero characters, from Spider-Man and Batman to Wonder Woman and the Hulk.
The first event is on Friday 28th July and will take place from 11am until 4pm outside the Odeon cinema. There is no need to book in advance, but it is advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said:“With a number of superhero films premiering in cinemas this summer, we’re excited to bring some of the nation’s favourite characters to the centre for families to meet and get that all-important selfie.
“We’re always looking for new and different activities for our visitors to enjoy and we’re looking forward to seeing families making the most of the summer fun during the school holidays.”
Visitors to Fort Kinnaird will also have the chance to win a £100 Smyths voucher. To enter, simply take a selfie at the superhero backdrop outside the Odeon cinema and share the picture on Instagram using #SuperSummerFK and tagging @fort_kinnaird.
The Leith Collective launches free school uniform exchange to help worried parents this summer
School’s out for summer but far from signalling the start of a care-free holiday, many Edinburgh parents are already worrying about how they will afford new school uniforms when the holiday is over and the new academic year begins.
That’s according to one local Community Interest Company, The Leith Collective, who are reporting a higher level of anxiety than ever amongst Edinburgh parents, many of whom have said they will be cutting back on summer holiday treats this year to meet the rising cost of essentials such as school uniforms.
And so, The Leith Collective is acting now to help alleviate some of that anxiety with the launch of their free school uniform exchange.
Taking place at The Leith Collective stores in Edinburgh’s Ocean Terminal and Fort Kinnaird as well as the Glasgow’s St Enoch Centre, this initiative will see locals donate good quality uniforms, schoolbags, pencil cases and school essentials to those in need. Items will be available for anyone to collect completely free of charge, no questions asked.
Speaking ahead of the launch, The Leith Collective founder, Sara Thomson said; “Demand for our free school uniform exchange last year was high. Sadly, due to the ongoing cost of living crisis, there is an increasing number of families from all walks of life who are genuinely anxious about how they will kit out their kids again this year.
“So, we felt it was essential that we launch our free school uniform exchange as soon as possible – so that parents have at least one less thing to worry about throughout the school holidays.”
This summer’s free school uniform exchange follows The Leith Collective’s winter coat exchange which received an overwhelming response, with over 7,000 coats donated and collected by locals.
People can donate and collect items at The Leith Collective in Ocean Terminal, Fort Kinnaird, and the St Enoch Centre during opening hours. No tights or socks can be accepted but all other good quality school items are welcome.
The Leith Collective at Ocean Terminal Ocean Drive, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 11am – 6pm, and Sunday 11am – 5pm.
The Leith Collective at Fort Kinnaird has launched a free school uniform exchange that will run throughout the summer holidays to give parents good quality, pre-loved options for back to school and encourage more sustainable shopping habits.
The independent store, located between Trespass and WHSmith, is inviting locals to donate good quality school uniform items in exchange for something they need.
Everything from polo shirts and jumpers to school bags and shoes will be accepted and available for collection to help get little ones ready for the new term.
Sara Thomson, founder of The Leith Collective, said: “Parents often have to buy a whole new uniform at the start of the school year only to find their child has already outgrown it by the Christmas break. The clothing is often still in perfectly good condition and could easily do another child a turn.
“The uniform exchange is not only a practical response to the cost-of-living crisis, but it also promotes sustainable choices – a cause which lies at the heart of The Leith Collective. Anyone can use the exchange service, whether your budget is squeezed this year or you want to be more sustainable – our only ask is that the uniform or other school items are still in a good quality condition.”
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said:“This is a fantastic initiative which we know will go a long way to support our local community, while also helping our visitors to choose more sustainable options where they can.
“We’re proud to support an independent store like The Leith Collective, and it’s brilliant to see the new and different shopping opportunities Sara and the team are bringing to the centre.”
The school uniform exchange follows The Leith Collective’s successful winter coat exchange which had an overwhelming response and saw 7,000 donations at its stores, including Fort Kinnaird.
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, and resells items that may otherwise have been destined for landfill.
It has three stores located across Edinburgh and Glasgow, including Fort Kinnaird. All of its stores also host a range of creative workshops focused on sustainability.
Throughout the summer, The Leith Collective is also inviting school holiday clubs and community groups to take part in free one-hour sessions with tips and advice on how to live more sustainably, alongside the opportunity to learn about the running of the stores. For more information on this, email: Info@theleithcollective.com.
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More than 260 children from Edinburgh have taken part in storytelling sessions organised by Fort Kinnaird aimed at helping them fall in love with reading.
The event allowed children to listen to stories from professional storyteller Ron Fairweather and were part of the Young Readers Programme, an award-winning initiative sponsored by Fort Kinnaird co-owner British Land and run in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, that is designed to encourage children to read outside of the classroom.
Ron Fairweather has been writing and performing stories, songs, and poems for decades, including performing at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, the National Museum of Edinburgh, and The Scottish Storytelling Centre.
During the literacy-focussed events, pupils from Niddrie Mill Primary School, Brunstane Primary School, and Castleview Primary School were also able to take home a book of their choice.
This marks the twelfth year of British Land’s partnership with the National Literacy Trust, and since the programme launched at Fort Kinnaird, it has supported more than 2,500 school children and seen more than 7,600 books donated across Edinburgh.
Research by the National Literacy Trust has shown that owning a book means children are more likely to say they enjoy reading and are more inclined to read in their free time. However, 6.5% of children in the UK do not own a book, which equates to half a million children across the country*. This rises to one in 10 (9.7%) children from disadvantaged backgrounds, which is the demographic this partnership aims to reach.
With reading for enjoyment proven to have a positive effect on children’s reading skill* as well as their wellbeing and mental health, the Young Readers Programme initiative aims to give support and help with the development of children in under privileged areas by giving them access to books.
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Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “Supporting our community is very important to us, so we’re incredibly proud of the Young Readers Programme and all the local children and families we’ve been able to support in the last 12 years.
“It’s always very rewarding to hear how the children are inspired by the stories and start to get excited about reading and bringing their own books home.”
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Martin Galway, Head of School Programmes at the National Literacy Trust, said: “The right book, at the right moment, can change a child’s life.
“That’s what the Young Readers Programme has been doing with British Land for the last 12 years – giving children from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to experience enchanting storytelling events, and to choose books that speak to their interests and passions.
“Our goal is to spark a love of reading that will last them a lifetime, which in turn will empower them with the literacy skills they need to succeed.”
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Two Craigmillar-based charities and a Greenydykes foundation have benefited from a £5,000 donation from Fort Kinnaird.
Thistle Foundation, The Venchie Children and Young People’s Project and Craigmillar Now have all received donations as part of the centre’s ongoing commitment to supporting the local community.
Thistle Foundation, founded in 1944, supports people in Scotland living with disabilities and long-term health conditions such as Parkinson, ME, chronic pain, the long-term effects of COVID-19, and mental health conditions.
The charity offers a range of wellbeing support including 1:1 coaching and courses, that support people to lead good lives and achieve what matters most to them. Thistle Foundation also supports people living in local communities in and around Craigmillar in Edinburgh through Thistle Outdoors, Connecting Craigmillar and their gym situated at their Centre of Wellbeing.
The donation from Fort Kinnaird went towards supporting Thistle Foundation’s health and wellbeing service and a big Thistle Thank You to the amazing team of volunteers that help the charity to support people locally and nationally.
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Some of these volunteers are part of the Thistle Outdoors team, delivering cycling sessions in Saughton Park which take place each Thursday, providing a range of adapted bikes, including trikes and side-by side-cycles, for people to enjoy for free while meeting with friends or new people.
The Venchie Children and Young People’s Project supports more than 200 children every week from in and around Craigmillar. It runs activities ranging from breakfast and after-school clubs to holiday sessions and parent/toddler groups which will be supported through the donation.
And Craigmillar Now, an arts and heritage space, will use the funds to continue hosting a year-round programme of creative activities including artist residences, workshops and exhibitions.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said:“These charities are all doing vital work in the area, and we’re pleased that we are able to show our appreciation for this through these donations, which we know will have a direct positive impact on people in our community.”
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William Oviatt, Heat of Income Generation at Thistle Foundation said: “We are extremely grateful for this very generous donation from Fort Kinnard.
“It is with thanks to donations like this that we can continue to support people living in local communities across Edinburgh and throughout Scotland.”
For more information on what’s on at Fort Kinnaird visit:
Fort Kinnaird has confirmed its opening times for the upcoming May bank holidays, including the Early May Bank Holiday (Monday 1st May) and the King’s Coronation (Monday 8th May).
On the 1st and 8th May, the centre’s opening times will be:
Monday 1st May: 9am – 9pm
Monday 8th May: 9am – 9pm
Opening hours at individual retailers will vary and visitors are advised to check with specific venues before setting off to avoid disappointment.
Fort Kinnaird is home to more than 70 shops and restaurants including M&S, H&M, Primark, Bread Meats Bread and newly opened Chaiiwala, as well as a seven-screen Odeon cinema. There are also more than 2,600 free parking spaces.
To plan your trip to Fort Kinnaird and to see what’s on at the centre over the bank holiday weekends, head here.
