Tag: leisure

New Edinburgh Walking and Cycling Day Trip Routes launched

John Muir Way launches new routes

If you’re seeking inspiration for outdoor activities this weekend, during the holidays or on your next day off, the John Muir Way may have the answer. A selection of one-day and half-day routes has been created across central Scotland, to be explored on foot or by bike.

They include:

Each is based around a part of the longer John Muir Way coast to coast trail and is designed to offer a micro-adventure in a local area, on a route that will get you back to your starting point.

Using the John Muir Way and local paths, you’ll find everything from big loops to short strolls, taking in castles, beaches and often the option of public transport home for tired legs.

The day trips have all been graded according to difficulty and distances range from a family-friendly 4.5 mile walk up to a 27 mile cycle. You’ll find maps and a wealth of information on recommended places to visit on each route on the John Muir Way website at: www.johnmuirway.org/day-trips

‘Hidden Treasure’ to be Found

To celebrate the launch of the Day Trips and provide a little extra incentive to get out exploring, there will be ‘treasure’ of John Muir Way merchandise – including water bottles, caps, badges and route passports – stashed at a selection of attractions, cafes and other businesses along the route.

Goodies can be claimed by visitors doing any John Muir Way Day Trip or coast-to-coast route section.

To claim a prize, walkers and cyclists just need to take a photo of themselves next to a John Muir Way signpost or waymarker and show it at one of the participating treasure locations. Each location has prizes for the first ten treasure hunters, so there are plenty of chances to claim a souvenir of
your trip. 

For more information on how to take part, visit www.johnmuirway.org/treasure

Support for John Muir Way Day Trips

The development of these day trips was boosted by funding from several sources, including VisitScotland and the ‘Scotland Loves Local’ Fund administered by Scotland’s Towns Partnership.

Scotland’s Town’s Partnership Chief Officer Phil Prentice said: “These day trips along the John Muir Way sound brilliant – with something for everyone. I am delighted that we have been able to support them through the Scotland Loves Local Fund.

“They are a great example of ways in which people are being encouraged to embrace and enjoy our brilliant countryside, supporting all kinds of businesses and attractions as they do. It’s a boost for our health, local communities and the economy.”

Neil Christison, VisitScotland Regional Director, said: “With so many people staying in the UK this year there has never been a better time to appreciate all the wonderful locations and attractions we have on our doorstep.

“Whether it’s discovering somewhere new or experiencing an old favourite in a completely new way, now is your time to enjoy the unique experiences that a holiday in Scotland offers.

“These new one day and half day routes on the John Muir Way provide a great option for making the most out of holidays at (or close to) home in a responsible and sustainable manner.”

There are John Muir Way prizes to be claimed at locations across the route.

The John Muir Way Day Trips launch has been funded by the Scottish Government ‘Scotland Loves Local’ Fund administered by Scotland’s Towns Partnership; by the Scottish Government and the European Community through the LEADER 2014–2020 Programme; and by the VisitScotland Sector and Destination Operational and Market Readiness Fund.

New campaign urges UK drivers to plan ahead for their Scottish staycation journeys

VisitScotland typically sees around 14 million trips to Scotland by UK residents every year and 134 million tourism day trips1, with 64% bringing their own car2, so it’s anticipated Scottish roads will be busier than ever. 

With fatigue being a contributory factor in collisions that kill or seriously injure around 50 people every year in Scotland3, drivers should also ensure they are well rested before setting out on their staycation trips and plan regular breaks.

Minister for Transport, Graeme Dey, said: “We know that drivers are keen to get to their destination but it’s really important they plan ahead before setting off on their staycation.

“Take plenty of rest stops to combat fatigue and be prepared for roads you may not be familiar with. Through this campaign, we’re providing drivers with practical tips and good advice to help them plan ahead and stay safe on our roads this summer.”

The new campaign encourages drivers who are planning a trip in Scotland to be patient as the roads get busier with holiday traffic, and prepare for the unexpected on rural roads. It also highlights that Scotland’s many country and single track roads may require new and different driving skills, particularly for those with less experience of driving in rural areas.

Chief Superintendent, Louise Blakelock, Police Scotland said: “Understandably this year, as a result of the continued uncertainty surrounding COVID restrictions, many people will look to holiday throughout Scotland and elsewhere within the UK in lieu of a foreign holiday.

“This will inevitably result in our roads being far busier than previous summers with greater numbers of cars, motorcycles, caravans and motorhomes travelling across the country and many motorists will be on roads they are unfamiliar with. 

“It is therefore essential that road users are considerate and courteous to each other, drive or ride responsibly to the road conditions and road class they are travelling on.   Road users must also be mindful of their impact on local communities and park in a safe and considerate manner, when enjoying Scotland’s countryside.

“As always, Road Policing Officers will be patrolling throughout Scotland over the coming months to influence road user behaviour, educate motorists on appropriate driving practices and enforcement action will be taken when necessary.”

Everyone has a vital role to play in keeping people safe on Scotland’s roads this summer. Four in five UK residents (84%) are planning a 2021 staycation, with two of the top ten destinations on the travel bucket list located in Scotland – the Scottish Highlands (43%) and Edinburgh (34%).4

Caroline Warburton, Regional Leadership Director, VisitScotland, said: “As we move into the summer months, better weather and further easing of restrictions, we would like to remind people to plan ahead, whether that be booking their accommodation in advance of visiting, checking ahead to see what is open and available and if anywhere is busy, move on to somewhere that isn’t.

“Through our responsible tourism campaign, we are working with a number of organisations and campaigns, including this new road safety campaign to address issues including littering, access, fires, pollution and parking/transport. We ask everyone to do their bit to #RespectProtectEnjoy our beautiful country this summer.”

The new campaign (running across social media, PR and partnerships) features advice about taking your time, planning ahead and expecting the unexpected on rural roads.

For more information visit roadsafety.scot/topics/driving-around-scotland or check out the Road Safety Scotland Facebook and Twitter (@roadsafetyscot) pages #PlanSmartDriveSmart.

Radical plans to transform Gyle Shopping Centre unveiled

Development managers Bankfoot APAM have announced a consultation on plans to transform The Gyle shopping centre into a new ‘town centre’. The proposals are a radical departure from previous plans to extend the centre.

The Gyle was originally opened in 1993 after an investment of £68million. It quickly became one of the most successful shopping destinations in the east of Scotland and was extended soon after.

Previous owners had brought forward plans for small extensions for new retail units and a cinema, but these were rejected last year by the City Council.

Options now include a fully refreshed and enhanced retail offer, major new housing and office space on a site that has some of the best public transport links in Scotland and in an area (west Edinburgh) where up to 18,000 new homes are already planned.

The concept is to create a new town centre where people will live, work, shop and enjoy their leisure time in one of the most sustainable communities in Scotland.

The initial ideas reflect the fact that whilst The Gyle was once at the fringe of Edinburgh, it is now at the heart of one of Scotland’s fastest growing residential and commercial districts.

The options being consulted on include:

  • A new community in which people can live, work, shop, rest and play within easy reach of the city centre and countryside
  • A renewed and revitalised retail offer with enhanced facilities for click and collect, home delivery and other services
  • New homes for families and professionals that bring people to live more closely to their jobs to encourage more public transport use, cycling, and walking
  • A new east/west ‘green link’ that provides better and safer walking and cycling facilities and new public green space
  • Improved access to the existing Tram, Bus and Rail services that run through and around The Gyle

Chris Moore, Managing Director at Bankfoot APAM, said: “When the Gyle was built it was a leading modern shopping destination. However, we are now looking at a new normal that is very different for shopping and living.

“The creation of a new urban city district will help transform the visitor experience and bring many more new residents, workers and customers to the shops and facilities.

“Increasingly people will travel by public transport and the facilities need to reflect that new normal. We have seen the changes that the new St James development in the city centre is making to people’s shopping experience and our aim is to deliver better and higher quality shopping, rather than just increasing floorspace. We have also studied the quality of the proposals for new homes and offices at the nearby Edinburgh Park.

“Edinburgh is changing, and west Edinburgh is changing faster than almost anywhere in Scotland and our plans must reflect sustainability issues and respond positively to those changes. Looking ahead we should consider how best to serve our customers and meet their growing concerns about the environment. A more balanced community is what is proving to work best.

“We will be consulting local residents and communities on our new vision in the near future, and we look forward to starting the regeneration and revitalisation of The Gyle in a way that makes it an even more special place for many more people. The Gyle can again be one of the finest shopping destinations in the country, but our ambition is to make it one of the finest places to live, work and play as well.”

The concept is to create a new town centre where people will live, work, shop and enjoy leisure time, all in one of the most sustainable communities in Scotland.

The plans also include a new east and west ‘green link’ for safer walking and cycling facilities, along with more public green space, as well as improved access to the tram, bus and rail services that run through and around The Gyle.

PureGym ready to reopen gyms in Scotland next week

PureGym expects 120,000 workouts in Scotland over the course of next week

PureGym, the UK’s largest gym operator, is delighted to be re-opening its 25 clubs in Scotland on Monday 26th April, bringing back affordable fitness to the nation. This follows the successful re-opening of its gyms across England in mid-April, which saw over 1 million workouts at its clubs in the first week alone.

The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of maintaining peoples’ health and wellbeing and that gyms are essential community facilities. Gyms have a vital role to play in improving the health of the nation and our members have been hugely excited to get back into their fitness routines, as demonstrated by the strong demand seen in England when PureGym welcomed back members last week.

As well as re-opening its 230 clubs in England last week the business opened 10 brand new sites, demonstrating its commitment to UK expansion at a time when many leisure and retail businesses are shrinking their estates, especially on the high street.

PureGym has ambitions to further increase its gym estate across the UK and have an important role to play in sustaining vibrant high streets as they adapt to new uses. A typical PureGym has 3,000-5,000 members who visit day and night, bringing much needed footfall to the immediate vicinity.

PureGym’s 25 Scottish gyms will re-open under the now well-established TrainSafe protocols which were developed and instigated last year, following close consultation with the gym industry, and are compliant with all Scottish Government Guidelines and the health authorities.

When PureGym was open last year these protocols, which include social distancing, a highly sanitised training environment and controlled access and numbers to ensure social distancing in its already spacious facilities, ensured very low levels of Covid-19 cases in gyms.

There was little or no evidence to suggest the virus was being caught or transmitted in PureGym clubs thanks to the consistent implementation of these procedures which were reviewed hundreds of times by EHOs last year.

Rebecca Passmore, UK Managing Director of PureGym, commented: “After 18 weeks of closure we are absolutely thrilled to be opening up our gyms in Scotland on Monday and expect 120,000 workouts over the course of next week.

“The lockdown has been incredibly tough both for our members and our passionate teams. We have 25 clubs with 105,000 members in Scotland and we know how much they have missed the gym these past few months.

“I know I speak for the whole team in saying we are so excited to be welcoming them back. For millions of people going to the gym is an essential part of their daily health and wellbeing routine and we are committed to ensuring it is a safe and enjoyable experience enabling people to be fitter, healthier and happier.

“We know there is huge appetite to return to the gym in Scotland, both amongst our existing members and the broader population as people want to resume active lifestyles to manage their physical and mental wellbeing. Gyms are great additions to the high street and retail parks and we look forward to welcoming new members and opening more sites as the year progresses.”

Sir Chris Hoy, PureGym Ambassador and Scotland’s 6x Gold Olympian, said: “The pandemic has demonstrated the importance of exercise in protecting the nation’s physical and mental well-being and during this health crisis we have sorely missed the crucial role that gyms play in peoples’ daily routines.

“PureGym’s flexible and affordable proposition makes the gym accessible to everyone – now more than ever gyms will help our society continue to recover and will be vital in the long-term health of our nation.”

Edinburgh Festivals welcome £1 million UK Government support

Edinburgh Festivals – the biggest combined festivals in the country – will benefit from £1 million from the UK Government this year

Half a million pounds will fund a new digital platform to promote UK talent and content to both international and domestic producers

£500,000 will be made available for Festival organisers to increase their digital capabilities

The UK Government will fund two new projects to expand the digital potential of the Edinburgh Festivals with £1 million investment, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has announced.

The Edinburgh Festivals are the biggest combined festivals in the UK, attracting audiences of nearly 5 million every year, generating £313 million for Scotland’s economy alone, and providing unparalleled opportunities for artists across the country. 

Last year many shows at the Edinburgh Festivals had to move online due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The challenge of moving to a combination of physical and online events, and the increased demand for British virtual cultural content around the globe, revealed the need to expand the Edinburgh Festivals’ digital capabilities as part of the cultural sector’s post-Covid recovery. 

The UK Government is providing £1 million in funding for digital improvements that will enable more ways for people to virtually access the events across the country, increase opportunities for UK artists and ensure Edinburgh’s landmark events will continue to be major contributors to the UK’s economy and cultural landscape. 

The 11 festivals in the Festivals Edinburgh event portfolio will be able to apply for a share of a new £500,000 fund which will support innovative virtual solutions to the challenges of commissioning, producing and promoting festival programmes in an increasingly digitised cultural sector.

The funding will help encourage collaboration between events and develop hybrid events with live and digital elements. 

Another £500,000 will be provided to create a new digital platform that will help national and international buyers and producers search for talent and content from the festivals’ hugely varied programmes, which showcase thousands of artists and performers every year, and promote the work of British artists and performers around the world. 

The funds will be available to Festivals Edinburgh this financial year. Events with live audiences at limited capacities in Scotland will return no earlier than 17 May, and further details about the planning for this year’s Edinburgh Festivals will be released in due course.

This funding builds on £100,000 previously awarded to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2018 to better connect UK artists with international producers. As part of ongoing support for culture in Edinburgh, the UK Government provided £10 million for the Dunard Centre, through the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.

It will be the city’s first dedicated new space for music and the performing arts in 100 years. Scotland also received £97 million from the UK Government’s Culture Recovery Fund to provide support for the nation’s arts and cultural sectors. 

Lothian MSP candidate for Edinburgh Southern, Miles Briggs, said: “This funding from the UK government is a very welcome investment into the arts and supporting the Edinburgh festival.

“It has been an exceptionally challenging year for artists and performers, many of whom have needed to adapt to virtual audiences.

“This investment will pave the way for hybrid Edinburgh Festival performances, which will allow people around the globe to see the creativity and talent on show in Edinburgh.”

Oliver Dowden, Culture Secretary, said: “Edinburgh’s Festivals have long been a springboard for the very best of British talent and a vital part of culture in Scotland and the UK.

“The UK Government’s investment will promote it to a worldwide audience online, helping the UK’s biggest combined festival build back better from the pandemic.”

“This is on top of £97 million we provided last year to the Scottish Government to support Scotland’s arts organisations through the pandemic. Like everyone else, I look forward to our fantastic arts and culture coming back better than ever before, as soon as it is safe to do so.”  

Iain Stewart, UK Government Minister for Scotland, said: “Edinburgh is world-famous for its festivals, bringing wider benefits to Scotland’s economy, tourism and arts sectors.

“We know the last 12 months have been difficult for the culture sector. This £1 million funding boost will support organisations to improve their digital capabilities and engage with audiences here in Scotland and further afield.”

Sorcha Carey, Chair, Festivals Edinburgh, said: “While live events in Edinburgh will remain the backbone of our world-class festivals, it’s crucial that we enhance our digital operations and so we’re delighted with this incredible support from the UK Government which will help reposition our work, and the work of creatives, across the digital world.”

Sir James Macmillan, Composer, said: “I’m delighted and encouraged to see this significant and notable support being given to the Edinburgh Festivals at this crucial point.

“The arts have been seriously affected by the pandemic and it is wonderful that the UK Government is showing its tangible commitment to culture in Scotland by investing in one of Scotland’s and Britain’s most important arts organisations.”

Workers give over 1,000 unpaid hours a year to their employers

 On average, we spend 42 days a year working outside their contracted hours  

Workers will sacrifice five years over their working life by starting early and finishing late 

Millions of British workers give up more than a month of time each year by working additional unpaid hours, totalling five years over their working life, new research has revealed.

In a poll conducted by Hitachi Personal Finance for this year’s National Work Life Week, data reveals exactly how much time Brits are spending working past their contracted hours and what else the nation could be doing with this time.  

In total, the figures show that Brits are working a whopping 1,834 days – or five years – unpaid across their working life, just by starting work early and finishing late. That’s an extra 42 days each year. 

The research revealed that nearly half (49%) of British people start work early each day and 48% admit to working late every day. 

Looking more closely at those who are commencing work before their official start time, a third (32%) are working an extra 147 days in their lifetime by getting to the office or logging on at home 20 minutes early each day.

Additionally, 15% of Brits are working an extra 330 days – that’s nearly a whole year – by regularly starting work 45 minutes before their shift starts.  

What’s more, 2% are tallying up a huge one year and two months’ worth of overtime by starting work an hour earlier than they are contracted to. In total, this means that collectively Brits are losing 917 days on unpaid work across their working lifetime, just by beginning their working day prematurely on a regular basis.  

And for those working after their shift ends, three in ten Brits (30%) are spending a further 147 days undertaking work in their lifetime, finishing late by 20 minutes each day, and 14% are working an extra 330 days in their lifetime by concluding work 45 minutes after they’re supposed to.  

Even more shockingly, 5% of Brits rack up an extra one year two months overtime in their lifetime by logging off an hour or more after they should be finishing work. Overall, this means that Brits are putting in an extra two and a half years work in their lifetime, just by continuing to work outside of their contracted hours.  

More than three in five (61%) admit they would rather have a better work/life balance, which is being achieved in some respects, with increased home working meaning commuting time is being reduced or completely removed.

However, this balance is still being compromised with so many putting in longer hours than they’re contracted to even while working at home, perhaps unaware of the cumulative amount of time they’re losing from their personal lives.  

So, what else could Brits be doing with this time? Experts at Hitachi Personal Finance offer five alternative activities UK workers could be doing instead of working outside their contracted hours:  

  1. Learn a new language  

If learning a new language is of interest, research shows that it takes 480 hours to reach basic fluency3. Meaning in the six weeks spent on overtime each year, you could learn at least one new language, maybe even two. 

  1. Gain a new habit  

It has also been widely reported that it takes just 21 days to form a habit4, so in the same time you spend working overtime each year, you could be making two new habits part of a daily routine that could have a positive impact on your life, such as exercising, quitting smoking or meditation.  

3.    Earn a degree 

If you’ve ever wanted to study a degree or add another one to your belt, it could be doable if you skip the extra hours in the office or working from home. You can complete a 3-year degree in 108 hours at the Open University6, meaning you could easily get a degree or two under your belt by sacrificing the extra time sat behind a desk.   

4.    Binge watch a box set  

If getting your teeth into a good boxset is more your thing and you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you could binge-watch all eight series instead of putting in the extra graft behind their desk at home or in the office; it would take three days and 16 minutes to watch from start to finish7.  

Marvel films more your thing? It would take just over two days to watch all 23 movies8, so in the six weeks you’d otherwise be spending working overtime in a year, you could sit down and watch the entire superhero franchise 20 times.  

Commenting on the findings, Vincent Reboul, Managing Director of Hitachi Capital Consumer Finance says: “It’s very interesting to see the sheer amount of people in Britain who are working way past their contracted hours.

“If 2020 has taught us anything it’s that we need to value the time and experiences we have with each other and our loved ones, as well as making sure we’re dedicating time to ourselves. 

“Putting in the extra hours during the working day can sometimes be inevitable, but we wanted to highlight just how much this adds up to over time. This is particularly relevant as home working has become the norm for many, which appears to have blurred the lines between work mode and home mode.

“Hopefully these findings help workers to realise how much time they do have available to them once they start paying attention to their work/life balance.” 

To find out more, please visit: https://www.hitachipersonalfinance.co.uk/latest-posts/money/5-things-you-could-be-doing-instead-of-working-unpaid-overtime/ 

Hospitality heroes to save our high street?

Hospitality entrepreneur BRADLEY GOUGH believes the high street isn’t dying, instead it is in state of transition, and pictures a new high street reinvigorated by hospitality and cultural experiences:

Spending habits in the UK have transformed significantly and the high street has been particularly hard hit in 2020. There are no signs of this downward trend slowing, after a year of city-wide lockdowns and non-essential retailers being closed.

Bradley Gough, is the founder of Groubook, and his team had spent months planning the launch of their new app that helps friends to organise and book group events, only to have their plans put on hold due to Covid-19. He is hoping that the hospitality sector will have a massive resurgence in the future and has some interesting ideas on how this will happen.

Chains and big brands have shifted away from physical stores and many businesses have been unable to reopen – leaving the question of what to do with all the empty space in the hearts of our communities.

Bradley Gough said: “I am hopeful about the future of our high streets, we would love to see hospitality and culture could play a major part in reinvigorating these areas.

“The departure of high street favourites like Debenhams, Top Shop, Burtons and Dorothy Perkins has led to thousands of job losses and a gaping hole in the high streets offering.

“But the high street isn’t dying, instead it is in state of transition away from the traditional one we have had for the last 50 years. Even before the pandemic, there was closures and a declining demand for retail space. Shopping online has been steadily on the rise for a decade, but lockdown has accelerated our use of it.

“We would like to see the disused retail spaces transformed into something new, ready for all of the fun to be had post-pandemic. Throughout history, high streets have been the centres of communities, playing important roles in commerce, business but also for social gatherings and events.”

The office buildings that have been forced to close could become revolutionary socially distanced, flexible working spaces. Easy to convert quickly and cheaply, they could become a haven for those sick of working from home as our attitudes towards flexible employee options evolve in the future.

The future high street might be a slightly different scape, but many have already seen an influx of independent businesses including bars, restaurants, community businesses and cultural venues.

Local people will still need access to service-led industries like the dry cleaners, key cutters, nail bar, bank and even the Post Office, but the high street could become dictated by the local populations requirements, their lifestyle patterns, and choices for recreation.

Bradley can picture the high street reinvigorated post-pandemic by hospitality and recreational experiences. Empty department stores could be transformed into hubs for leisure, a bowling alley on one floor, adult soft play on another and a laser tag course in the basement.

Despite the growth of an ‘armchair economy’ due to the pandemic, people will be keen to get out as soon as it is safe, ready to have fun and make new memories with their friends and family.

The next craze to sweep the nation could be a boozy ball pit-based night out, or themed restaurants which emerge you in beach or rainforest surroundings, from the comfort of your town centre.

The shops you spent hours looking around for your parents as a kid, could become city centre mazes instead. Bars could be tucked away, hidden in the basement of retail units, whilst the stores above become experience centres, where customers browse and try products on, before ordering online for delivery to their door.

Technology is the main tool to enhance a community hub and create a high street that meets a range of different consumer needs. A shift towards free Wi-Fi in shared spaces, improvements in eco transport links and more electric car charging points could drive people to their centres and high street to enjoy the post pandemic climate.

Groubook lets groups book, organise and arrange nights out online and take advantage of a wide range of discounts and rewards. Bradley believes the app can give independent bars and restaurants a head start when they’re finally able to open for business and help them recoup some of the losses from the pandemic.

The app was launched in Nottingham in August just after the first lockdown restrictions began to ease and saw rapid initial take-up with numbers growing by 250% in the first six weeks.

Bradley said: “Our plans for growth are ambitious and despite everything that’s happened this year, we’re confident we’ll achieve them.

“Once restrictions begin to ease, we’re ready to go full steam ahead and support the hospitality sector as it starts to rebuild.”

£4.6 billion in new lockdown grants to support businesses and protect jobs

Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are to receive a one-off grant worth up to £9,000, the Chancellor has announced.

  • Chancellor announces one-off top up grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses worth up to £9,000 per property to help businesses through to the Spring
  • £594 million discretionary fund also made available to support other impacted businesses
  • comes in addition to £1.1 billion further discretionary grant funding for Local Authorities, Local Restriction Support Grants worth up to £3,000 a month and extension of furlough scheme

This follows the Prime Minister’s announcement last night that these business will be closed until at least February half-term in order to help control the virus, and, together with the wide range of existing support, provides them with certainty through the Spring period.

The cash is provided on a per-property basis to support businesses through the latest restrictions, and is expected to benefit over 600,000 business properties, worth £4 billion in total across all nations of the UK.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “The new strain of the virus presents us all with a huge challenge – and whilst the vaccine is being rolled out, we have needed to tighten restrictions further.

“Throughout the pandemic we’ve taken swift action to protect lives and livelihoods and today we’re announcing a further cash injection to support businesses and jobs until the Spring.

“This will help businesses to get through the months ahead – and crucially it will help sustain jobs, so workers can be ready to return when they are able to reopen.”

A further £594 million is also being made available for Local Authorities and the Devolved Administrations to support other businesses not eligible for the grants, that might be affected by the restrictions. Businesses should apply to their Local Authorities.

The new one-off grants come in addition to billions of existing business support, including grants worth up to £3,000 for closed businesses, and up to £2,100 per month for impacted businesses once they reopen.

The government has also provided 100% business rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses, £1.1 billion existing discretionary funding for Local Authorities, the furlough scheme now extended to April and 100% government backed loans, extended until March.

Further information

  • the one-off top-ups will be granted to closed businesses as follows:
  • £4,000 for businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or under
  • £6,000 for businesses with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
  • £9,000 for businesses with a rateable value of over £51,000
  • business support is a devolved policy and therefore the responsibility of the devolved administrations, which will receive additional funding as a result of these announcements in the usual manner:
  • the Scottish Government will receive £375 million
  • the Welsh Government will receive £227 million
  • the Northern Ireland Executive will receive £127 million
  • this will contribute to the funding which has already been guaranteed by the UK Government, to continue to provide the devolved administrations the certainty they need to plan for their COVID-19 response in the months ahead
  • small businesses in the devolved administrations should also be able to benefit from other UK-wide measures in the government’s unprecedented package of support for business, including the various business lending schemes (where the repayment terms were made easier as part of the Winter Economy Plan), and the extension of the Self Employment Income Support Scheme

Dirty loos and scathing reviews – Britannia Hotels ranked Britain’s worst hotel chain for the eighth year running

With a slew of one-star ratings and concerns over hygiene and cleanliness, Britannia has once again been ranked the UK’s worst hotel chain, according to Which?’s annual survey.

Described by one guest as a “filthy hovel” and another as “by far the dirtiest hotel room I have ever stayed in”, Britannia props up the table in Which?’s rankings of large UK hotel chains for its eighth consecutive year.

Which? asked more than 4,000 people to rate their experiences at UK hotels, broken down into large chains and small and medium-sized chains. Guests were asked to rate the hotels on a range of criteria, including bedrooms, bathrooms, cleanliness, customer service, and value for money.

Britannia received a dismal customer score of 37 per cent and failed to score more than two stars in any of the criteria ranked by guests, with one-star ratings for its bedrooms, bathrooms, and communal areas and facilities. It was the only hotel in the survey to receive one star for cleanliness, and despite being one of the cheapest hotel chains in the survey at an average of £58 per night, guests still only gave Britannia one star for value for money. One of the most scathing reviews submitted to Which? by a Britannia guest was unprintable.

When Which? visited the Folkestone Britannia, also known as the Grand Burstin, as part of a separate investigation into hotel hygiene, researchers found stray hairs and stained towels upon an initial inspection. Following further tests using UV fluid and germ powder, researchers also found surfaces that had not been thoroughly cleaned between stays. At the chain’s Brighton hotel, the Royal Albion, Which? conducted swab tests that revealed traces of enterococci bacteria on the toilet seat and bathroom door handle.

When presented with Which?’s findings, Britannia said: “We are totally committed to providing a safe environment for visitors. We have so far spent around £2 million on COVID-19 precautions, but we accept there is more to do.”

Cleanliness aside, the chain still managed to disappoint. In the standard room in the basement of the Folkestone Britannia that Which? checked into, there was graffiti carved into the ageing wardrobe, pillows “flimsier than bookmarks”, and broken glass on the carpet at breakfast.

Also at the bottom of the table, but still scoring significantly higher than Britannia, were Mercure (60%) and Days Inn Hotels (62%). Both only managed to muster three stars across most criteria, but when it came to cleanliness, Which?’s swab tests came back without any cause for concern.

At the other end of the table – both in terms of performance and price – was Sofitel, the luxury chain with three London properties at Heathrow, Gatwick and St James. 

At a steep £148 a night on average, guests did comment on the premium price paid for a night at a Sofitel hotel – but many told Which? it was worth it, commending its “outstanding service” and “impeccable cleanliness”. One guest told the consumer champion their Sofitel room was “probably the best hotel room I have ever occupied.”

However, when Which? visited the Sofitel St James to conduct swab tests as part of its hotel hygiene investigation, it also found low levels of faecal enterococci on the toilet seat of the room it was checked into. Sofitel said it believed this to be an isolated issue, but conducted a “thorough review of its cleaning protocols” in response to Which?’s findings.

With the exception of value for money, where it scored three stars, the luxury chain scored five stars in every category, and received an impressive customer score of 86 per cent. It is also the first chain to have knocked Premier Inn off the top spot in five years, suggesting that guests were happier to throw a bit of money at their hotel stays this year, given the surge in popularity of UK holidays following the pandemic.

In response to Which?’s investigation into hotel hygiene, a spokesperson for Accor/Sofitel said: “We have developed some of the most stringent hygiene and prevention measures in the hospitality industry to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our guests. 

“These protocols have been further intensified in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and include more frequent cleaning of hotel rooms and public spaces with hospital grade anti-viral cleaning products and disinfection of all high touch areas. While we are pleased that these measures are reflected by the survey’s other scores, we are surprised and disappointed by the swab test result. 

“Whilst we believe this to be an isolated issue we have undertaken a thorough review of the hotel’s cleaning protocols. It should be noted that our guests have independently awarded this hotel a maximum rating on its standards of cleanliness and the hotel has also passed an independent audit by an EHO consultant.”

Premier Inn came in just below Sofitel with a score of 82 per cent and was praised for its reliable quality at a reasonable price. Guests frequently described the rooms as clean and comfortable, with countless respondents telling Which?, “you know what you’re getting [with Premier Inn]”.

Both Sofitel and Premier Inn were named Which? Recommended Providers, along with Holiday Inn Express and Hilton Hampton, on account of their high scores and their approach to refunding customers over the pandemic.

When Which? asked people to rate their experiences at small and medium-sized hotels, it was Warner Leisure (81%) and Hotel Du Vin (77%) that came out on top, with both also being named Which? Recommended Providers. 

Abode hotels received the lowest score of the eight small and medium-sized chains ranked in the survey, but still with a respectable score of 63 per cent, and four-star ratings for cleanliness, customer service and value for money.

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: “It appears that not even a global pandemic could force Britannia to clean up its act. At best, it’s drab and dated, and at worst it’s downright filthy – and after eight years at the bottom of our survey, our message is loud and clear: avoid these hotels.

“While Premier Inn remains a firm favourite, it’s clear that this year, UK hotels have become more than just a place to lay your head, but a destination in themselves. With fewer of us travelling abroad this year, our survey shows that when it comes to holidaying at home, we’re quite happy to pay more for a little luxury.”

David Lloyd Leisure unveils plans for new Health and Fitness club

UK’s leading health and fitness group invites locals to shape the new state of the art club

The public will have the chance to view and shape the details of an exciting new health and fitness club at Shawfair Park, Midlothian. 

Undertaken by the UK’s leading health, fitness and racquets group David Lloyd Leisure, the plans for the site between Edinburgh and Dalkeith propose to bring a comprehensive range of premium family-focused health and leisure facilities to the area.

A Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) was submitted with Midlothian Council in September, highlighting the intent of the developer to lodge a planning application this year. 

The proposed facilities at Shawfair include a health and fitness club with three badminton-court sports hall, a large state of the art gym with several group-exercise studios for various uses such as group cycling, HIIT training and mind and body exercise. Both a permanent and a seasonal tennis court are also envisioned in the proposals, as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, terrace and luxury indoor spa with spa garden. 

The plans also include a Clubroom with a wide appeal for families, couples and individual users. The proposed scheme also features an adults only business hub for flexible working, and a soft play and activity space for children. The plans include nearly 250 dedicated car parking spaces with EV charging points as well as covered cycle spaces and various landscaping features.

David Lloyd Leisure is now organising a digital community consultation to provide residents with further information on the emerging proposals.

Through this consultation process, the team is seeking input and ideas on the proposed scheme from the public, which will assist in informing the planning application.

With the temporary suspension of public events for major planning applications by the Scottish Government due to COVID-19, the consultation has moved online with a dedicated website highlighting the development proposals. 

The website can be accessed at https://davidlloydclubs-shawfair.scot/ which will go live at 9am on Thursday 29th October, and a digital consultation event will take place that same day from 4pm to 8pm.

Consultants will be available to answer any questions through a live and dedicated two-way chat system during these times. Visitors can type questions to members of the team and converse about the project in real-time. Feedback can also be submitted via the website. 

Any representations or suggestions for changes to the proposals shared during the online event will be included in a Pre-Application Consultation report to accompany future applications.

Hard copies of consultation boards and feedback forms, or further information, can be obtained by phoning 0131 202 3259 or in writing to: Orbit Communications, 4 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JE or by emailing: hello@davidlloydclubs-shawfair.scot

The deadline for submitting feedback will be Thursday November 19th.

Commenting on the proposed consultation event, Brendan Mitchell, Group Acquisitions Manager, David Lloyd Clubs said: “We are delighted to be providing the local community with the opportunity to shape our proposals for this exciting new health, leisure and fitness club in Midlothian.

“Clearly these are difficult times, and we’re pleased to offer an exciting vision to help people maintain physical and mental fitness. More than ever this seems a pressing need in communities across the country. 

“During our consultation event, all residents will have the opportunity to enquire further about the proposals and give their feedback, which will be thoroughly considered ahead of submitting the planning application.

“We would urge all those that can to participate in this consultation process and have their views heard.”  

Sandy Smith, Development Director at Buccleuch Property, owners of Shawfair Park commented: “As a long-term investor in Shawfair and Midlothian we are very pleased to be working with David Lloyd Leisure in bringing these proposals forward.  

“David Lloyd Leisure’s family-focused offering will be a fantastic addition to Shawfair Park and a valuable amenity to local residents and businesses who will be able to play tennis, swim and lead a healthy life-style with-in easy reach of their front doors.

“We look forward to engaging with the community to help shape the next phase of Shawfair Park”