Gyle Shopping Centre – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Gyle Shopping Centre to host major World Cup 2026 Fanzone

• 1,000-capacity fanzone to screen Scotland matches and key World Cup fixtures

• Early bird tickets from £10 including a drink for Scotland games

• Family-friendly screenings and daytime replays so fans of all ages can enjoy the tournament

Football fans in Edinburgh will have a new destination to watch the world’s biggest sporting event this summer, as Gyle Shopping Centre prepares to host the Edinburgh World Cup Fanzone – a vibrant outdoor hub where supporters can gather to experience the tournament together.

Running from 11 June to 19 July, the fanzone will bring the excitement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to the capital with giant screen match broadcasts, live hosts, fan competitions and a lively matchday atmosphere.

With many fixtures taking place overnight due to the tournament being hosted in North America, organisers will also introduce family-friendly daytime replay screenings, allowing younger fans and families to enjoy the biggest moments of the World Cup together in a lively shared setting.

As Scotland prepare to compete on football’s biggest stage for the first time in nearly 30-years, the tournament represents a hugely anticipated moment for supporters across the country. The Edinburgh Fanzone will provide a dedicated space for fans to come together, celebrate the national team and soak up the atmosphere of the world’s most watched sporting event.

Located at Gyle Shopping Centre, the purpose-built fanzone will host up to 1,000 supporters per screening, making it one of the largest public viewing destinations for World Cup matches in the city.

A Festival Atmosphere for Football Fans

Fans attending the fanzone can expect a lively matchday experience including:

• Large outdoor screen showing live World Cup fixtures
• Matchday hosts and special guests for Scotland games
• Licensed bars and food vendors
• Deck chair seating and covered viewing areas
• Competitions, giveaways and fan engagement
• Family-friendly replay screenings for late-night matches
• Brand activation zones and fan experiences

The venue will screen all Scotland matches, alongside the majority of tournament fixtures, ensuring supporters have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the World Cup with fellow fans.

Tickets Now on Sale

Tickets are now available for Scotland match screenings, with early bird tickets starting from £10, including a pint or soft drink. Capacity for Scotland games is expected to sell quickly, with strong demand anticipated from fans eager to watch the national team in a shared atmosphere.

All other fixtures will be accessible to fans throughout the tournament, making the space a welcoming hub for supporters of all nations.

The fanzone will also feature premium covered seating, allowing fans to enjoy the games in comfort regardless of the weather.

Easy Access Across the City

Located in west Edinburgh, Gyle Shopping Centre offers excellent transport connections, with direct access via the Edinburgh Trams and multiple Lothian Buses routes, making it easy for fans across the city to attend. Motorists can also benefit from straightforward road access and nearby parking facilities.

In addition, rail passengers can travel via Gateway Station, which provides a direct and convenient train link within close proximity. This strong connectivity ensures smooth access for those arriving by public transport or car.

With a lively festival atmosphere planned throughout the tournament, organisers expect the fanzone to attract between 15,000 and 20,000 visitors across the five-week event.

Tickets and Information

Tickets for Scotland games are available now, with early bird tickets starting from £10 including a drink.

Fans can purchase tickets and find more information at: https://www.citizenticket.com/all-events/?keywords=fanzone&per_page=20&venue_detailed=1&page=1

Please note this is subject to final license approval.

Further event details, special guests and sponsor announcements will be revealed in the coming months.

New Road Safety campaign visits Edinburgh to help locals keep driving safely for longer

Driver MOT roadshow visits The Gyle Shopping Centre as part of Scotland-wide tour

The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland have launched a national driver MOT roadshow, which is set to visit The Gyle Shopping Centre on 23-24 October as part of a Fitness to Drive campaign, encouraging local drivers aged 60 and over to reflect on their driving skills and take steps to stay safe and confident behind the wheel.

Transport Scotland data show a continuing trend towards increasing numbers of casualties aged 60 and over.¹ With more than 850,000 drivers² in this age group in Scotland, the campaign highlights the importance of recognising changes that can come with age and taking simple, practical steps to address them.

These include booking regular eye examinations, reducing night-time driving, avoiding busy junctions at peak hours, and refreshing driving skills with a mature driving review.

The driver MOT roadshow visiting Edinburgh will raise awareness of these measures. Local drivers can drop by for information and reassurance, as well as advice on how to adapt driving habits to continue driving safely for longer.

Friends and family are also encouraged to attend for tips on starting supportive conversations if they have concerns about a loved one’s driving.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop said: “As we get older, changes to eyesight, hearing, and reaction times can all affect our ability to drive safely.

“The Fitness to Drive campaign is about supporting older drivers to recognise those changes and take action to continue to stay safe on the road.

“Even one death on Scotland’s roads is one too many. By encouraging older drivers and their families to reflect on driving fitness, we can help save lives and ensure people feel confident and secure when they travel.”

Caroline MacQueen, Centre Manager at The Gyle Shopping Centre, said: “We’re delighted to be part of the national driver MOT roadshow and look forward to welcoming local drivers and their families to our Shopping Centre”

The campaign is backed by IAM RoadSmart, a leading UK road safety charity, helping to improve driving and riding skills through courses and coaching. IAM RoadSmart offers mature driver reviews to help maintain driving skills and confidence and has played a key role in supporting the delivery of the driver MOT roadshow.

IAM RoadSmart Road Safety Manager for Scotland Stewart Mackie said: “Having a mature driver review can be a great way to boost your confidence on the roads and ensure that you and your passengers are safe.

“We know just how important driving is, and how it represents the freedom to go anywhere, anytime. This is why many mature drivers choose our course, because it gives them the confidence and skills to carry on driving and maintain their independence.

“We’d encourage anyone who is interested to come along to their local driver MOT event, where a friendly team will be on hand to offer support, guidance and practical advice to help you drive safely for longer.”

The driver MOT roadshow will run until January 2026, with stops at shopping centres, garden centres, and community hubs across Scotland.

Dates and locations can be found at www.roadsafety.scot/mature-drivers-roadshow.

For more information, visit: roadsafety.scot/maturedrivers.

ECHC Halloween Stall at Gyle Shopping Centre

Join us on Saturday, 25th October, 10 AM–4 PM for the ECHC Halloween Stall – a spooktacular day of games, glitter tattoos, and a chance to meet your favourite Star Wars characters!

Plus, don’t miss the tombola packed with fang-tastic prizes!

All in support of Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity

#GyleHalloween

#ECHC

Gyle Winter Wonderland

OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS

This year, Gyle Shopping Centre is pulling out all the stops for the biggest and brightest Christmas experience yet!

Think sparkling ice rink, a traditional festive market, and a bar brimming with hot chocolate, mulled wine, and all your seasonal favourites – plus a visit to Santa’s magical grotto

We’re on the lookout for:

Craft makers & gifting stalls

Carol singers

Santa’s elves & ice rink attendants

If you’d love to be part of the festive magic, get in touch today. Let’s make this Christmas one to remember!

Email santa@gylechristmas.co.uk to enquire.

Free school clothing at Gyle Community Space

TUESDAY 14 JANUARY from 10.30 – 2pm

Do your children need some more clothing for school?

January can be a financially difficult month however there is a pop up uniform bank next Tuesday at Gyle Shopping Centre. All the items are free.

This is run in conjunction with @edinburghschooluniformbank

New Support for Local Veterans

A new drop-in session for veterans living in the Edinburgh area is opening next week (26 November).

Emma Weir, who is the Community Builder for the local area for Help for Heroes is bringing a ‘Heroes Café’ to the Gyle Shopping Centre, as part of a programme to reach out to even more veterans across Edinburgh and the surrounding region.

Emma, who has been supporting veterans in Edinburgh for three and a half years, said: “We know that the city and surrounding area has one of the highest populations of veterans in the country. Over the years we’ve helped hundreds of people who have got in touch with us for support.

“The cafés give veterans an easy way to connect with others in the local area. People can just drop in and have a chat and a brew with others who share their life experiences. They can also find out about the different services we offer. It’s a gentle way to dip your toes back into the water and to feel like you’re part of a community again.”

Former service men and women can sometimes feel they’ve lost their support network, which can leave them feeling isolated and lonely.

Adjusting to civilian life can also bring challenges, for example a recent report showed that over a quarter (27%) of adults who have served in the UK’s armed forces have run out of food in the last 12 months, and they did not have money to buy more*.

Help for Heroes offers practical support for anyone who has served from any branch of the UK military – regulars or reserves – irrespective of length or place of service, and locally embedded civilians who worked under the command of UK Armed Forces..

Chloe McKenrick, aged 49 and from Dumferline, was in the army for 22 years and has been supported by the Hidden Wounds service, which helps veterans deal with mental health challenges and has taken part in different sports and social activities. She said: “I’ve attended a number of Help for Heroes Cafés and have always found them to be a great way to catch up with fellow veterans.

“It enables you to socialise in a civilian setting, which can be hard for some of us for a variety of reasons – and being with people who genuinely understand and support you makes you feel more relaxed and safe.”

The Help for Heroes café will be held on the fourth Tuesday of every month at Space to Be in the Gyle Shopping Centre.

You can find out more by going to Help For Heroes | Community Taster Sessions | Help For Heroes or by contacting Emma Weir emma.weir@helpforheroes.org.uk

Tree Time at Gyle Shopping Centre

Our first Free Tree Giveaway event will be taking place this week!

You can find us at Gyle Shopping Centre on Friday 3rd November and Saturday 4th November! Just drop-in at anytime between 10am – 2pm to pick your free garden tree.

Gyle Shopping Centre

The City of Edinburgh Council

The Woodland Trust Scotland

Alba Trees Ltd

Friends of the Gyle Park

#EdinburghMillionTreeCity

Road Safety event at Gyle Shopping Centre

FRIDAY 2nd JUNE 8.30am – 2pm

Road policing officers in Edinburgh are holding a Road Safety event using an interactive simulator for drivers to test their reactions and observations behind the wheel.

The technology tests a driver’s reaction time against the times in the Highway Code. It can also highlight any potential vulnerabilities that could affect driving ability.

The equipment will be set up at the Gyle Shopping centre from 8.30am until 2pm on Friday (2 June, 2023).

Officers will be on hand to give general road safety advice including information on Drink/Drug Driving. There will also be representatives from other partner agencies, including ROSPA and Road Safety Scotland.

Road Policing Officer, Police Constable Stewart Sinclair, said: “We are committed to reducing road casualties through positively influencing the behaviour of road users. This fun, but accurate, test provides a safe environment for drivers to have a go on the equipment and test their skills

“It will help people think about how they would react to hazards and other scenarios that we all face on the roads on a regular basis and assess their fitness to do so.

“Anyone can come along and take part. We hope it will give peace of mind to those who may worry about their reaction times “.

“Unfortunately crashes can be caused by poor eyesight and slow reaction times. Having a go on the equipment can give people peace of mind and advice will be available at the event.”

Record numbers vaccinated at Gyle Shopping Centre drop-in

NHS Lothian’s pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic scheme has seen its most successful day at Gyle Shopping Centre with 330 people attending.

The Gyle Shopping Centre pop-up clinic was launched on Tuesday (27 July) within an outlet at the centre alongside some of the biggest names in retail, allowing for those shopping or working nearby to drop-in to get their life-saving vaccine.

For the first time all three vaccines are available, allowing those in need of a second dose of Pfizer to be vaccinated. Moderna and AstraZeneca are also available at the centre.

The clinic is open to everyone over the age of 18 for their first or second dose, provided there has been an eight week gap between vaccinations.

Pat Wynne, Director of Community Nursing, NHS Lothian, said: “To see these numbers come through our clinic at Gyle is fantastic and it reinforces our decision to use pop-up clinics in order to move forward with our vaccination programme.

“We are really pleased to have teamed up with Gyle Shopping Centre and we are grateful to them for providing this space for such a prominent drop-in clinic and supporting our team with queue management.

“Sites like Gyle Shopping Centre are great venues for us because they allow people to easily drop in when they are out shopping or taking a break from work. I would encourage anyone who is due to be vaccinated to consider coming to our Gyle clinic as soon as possible.”

The Gyle pop-up clinic will run until Saturday 14 August and is open every day between 10am to 6pm.

Mr Wynne added: “Pop-up clinics are part of the campaign to target younger people and make it as easy as possible for them to get the vaccine in the places they visit.

“We feel the clinic at Gyle will also help us target people between the ages of 18-29, who we especially need to come forward for vaccination. We remain determined to do everything we can to make sure as many people are vaccinated as possible.”

NHS Lothian’s vaccination bus, which is being run along with Lothian Buses, is continuing to visit sites across Lothian. More details on its locations can be found in the COVID vaccination hub on NHS Lothian’s website.

Pop-up Covid vaccination clinic opens at Gyle Shopping Centre

NHS Lothian has opened a pop-up vaccination clinic at Gyle Shopping Centre.

The team can administer all three vaccines – Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca – so it is open to all ages. No appointment is necessary and those needing a first or second dose are welcome, as long as you have waited eight weeks between injections.

The clinic, which is just next to M&S, will run from 10am til 6pm, seven days a week from today – Tuesday 27 July.

More information here: http://ow.ly/3IWJ50FDPel