Tag: Leith Collective

New eco exhibition set to inspire a host of homes and interiors ideas

The Leith Collective launches “Furniture Reimagined” eco exhibition

Creating a home is an art form – choosing furniture can be an act of creative self-expression, but upcycling furniture can take that creativity to a whole new level. This is especially evident in a brand-new eco exhibition, Furniture Reimagined, open now in Edinburgh.

Taking place at The Leith Collective, Furniture Reimagined features the work of environmentally-conscious artists from all over Scotland, brought together by a shared vision to breathe new life into old household items. 

All manner of furniture from a range of eras features in the exhibition – from re-upholstered vintage chairs to contemporary doors turned into mirrors.

Some items needed some simple TLC to bring them back to their former glory, whilst others have been recycled, repurposed and reworked into something completely original. 

The timing of the exhibition is no coincidence. It is around this time of year that UK householders spring clean and send a host of household items straight to landfill. The artists behind this exhibition hope their work will encourage people to think twice before doing so, and keep furniture in use for longer to reduce waste.

Speaking ahead of the exhibition launch, The Leith Collective founder Sara Thomson commented: “The furniture featured in this exhibition was built to last. These items have all had a life, they have maybe had a few knocks along the way (haven’t we all?!) but that’s no reason to discard them and replace them with a modern MDF flatpack item. 

“This exhibition shows that with a little imagination, many household items can be transformed – not just turned back into something functional, but into something truly beautiful.” 

Furniture Reimagined is open now until 31st May 2023 and is free to view at all three Leith Collective stores – Edinburgh’s Ocean Terminal and Fort Kinnaird, as well as Glasgow’s St Enoch Centre.

Some exhibition items are available to purchase and delivery is available.

  • 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

Newcraighall, Edinburgh, EH15 3RD

Opening hours: 10am – 8pm seven days a week

  • The Leith Collective at St Enoch Centre
    Glasgow, G1 4BW – Opening hours: 10am – 5pm, seven days a week
  • For more information about The Leith Collective head to www.theleithcollective.com, email info@theleithcollective.com, or call 07447 659 999.

Leith Collective to celebrate Burns Night with PM at Downing Street

Leith Collective invited to celebrate Burns Night with PM at 10 Downing Street ahead of sustainable marketplace launch

Whilst many of us in the Scottish capital will be raising a wee dram on Burns Night with friends and family, one Edinburgh Community Interest Company founder will be spending it south of the border with someone rather unexpected.

Sara Thomson, founder of The Leith Collective, has been invited to 10 Downing Street on Wednesday 25th January to celebrate Burns Night with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

The exclusive event promises to be a celebration of Scottish culture, and Sara hopes the event will provide an opportunity to shine a light on the wealth of artistic talent here in Scotland. And it is this community of Scottish artists that Sara is hoping to support with the launch of her new sustainable online marketplace, We Relove. 

“The Leith Collective has three Scottish stores, each one stocked with beautifully crafted items made by local artists that have reclaimed, recycled, reimagined, and repurposed everyday items. Every day I’m amazed by the sheer skill, inventiveness, and creativity of our local artists”, Sara explained.

“But I want to do more to help artists who aren’t based in Edinburgh and Glasgow. I want to help raise the profile of eco artists from all over Scotland. And so, I’m launching We Relove – Scotland’s first sustainable online marketplace.”

By launching We Relove, Sara hopes to give Scottish artists a new online platform through which they can showcase their work, as well as give consumers greater choice when it comes to shopping sustainably. 

It is not the first time that Sara has caught the attention of a head of government. In 2021, Sara received word that she had been specially selected to become a UK ‘One Step Greener’ ambassador ahead of COP26. She was then chosen by the then PM, Boris Johnson, to become the UK’s 1772nd Point of Light. As a result, Sara met Boris Johnson at 10 Downing Street and enjoyed a video chat with HRH Queen Elizabeth II.

Since then, Sara has gone on to expand The Leith Collective, opening a store in Glasgow’s St Enoch Centre and Fort Kinnaird. She also organised a highly successful winter coat exchange which saw more than 5,000 coats rehomed to those in need, plus a Christmas tree and school uniform exchange to help locals cope with the cost of living crisis.

Artists, makers, and crafters from Scotland and beyond can register their interest in becoming a We Relove seller at www.we-relove.com.

Registration opens on Wednesday 25th January.

School children to get a ‘smart start’ to the New Year thanks to the Leith Collective’s free uniform exchange

With the cost of living crisis weighing heavily upon people’s minds and the expense of Christmas adding up, many people are understandably worried about how they will afford to pay for even basic essentials in January. And so, one local Community Interest Company is acting now to alleviate that anxiety with the launch of their free unform 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, the ‘Smart Start’ initiative will see locals donate good quality school uniforms 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; “Kids grow so quickly. Parents tend to buy a whole new uniform at the start of the school year in August and often find their child has already outgrown it by the Christmas break.

“Yet these uniforms are often still in perfectly good condition and could easily do another child a turn. Our Smart Start initiative aims to make it as easy as possible for people to donate their unwanted uniforms, so that someone in need can make use of them.”

The unform exchange is not only a practical response to the cost of living crisis, but also to the climate crisis – a cause which lies at the heart of The Leith Collective. As Sara Thomson explains; “Smart Start is a sustainable solution that aims to keep quality clothes out of landfill and in use for longer, thus promoting a circular economy and helping to reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry.”

The Smart Start uniform exchange comes just a few months after the launch of The Leith Collective’s winter coat exchange which has received an overwhelming response, with over 1,000 coats donated and collected by locals so far.  

People can donate and collect garments 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 uniform items are welcome.

Fort Kinnaird launches Christmas Jumper Exchange

Fort Kinnaird has partnered with one of its independent retailers, the Leith Collective, to launch a free Christmas jumper exchange to support the local community this festive season.

Visitors are being invited to hand in clean, pre-loved festive knitwear of all sizes to the retailer, located next to Boots, from this week up until Christmas. The jumpers will be available for anyone to take home for free.

The initiative follows Leith Collective’s successful winter coat exchange that has seen hundreds of people donating and picking up coats across its Edinburgh stores.

Fort Kinnaird has also committed to give £1 for every donated jumper to its Edinburgh-based charity partner, Thistle Foundation.

The charity provides local and national support to people living with long-term health conditions or challenging life situations. Through one-to-one wellbeing coaching, group-based wellbeing courses and peer-led activities, Thistle Foundation supports people to lead good lives and achieve what matters most to them.

Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We know many people will have festive jumpers sitting unused in their homes.

By donating them to our appeal they will not only free up some much-needed cupboard space, but they’ll also be directly supporting people in their community at what is likely to be a very difficult time, and helping the environment by not throwing the clothing away.   

“We’re proud to have Thistle as our charity partner and thank the Leith Collective for helping us support them further this Christmas. The team does incredible work, providing vital support to those who need it most in our local community.”

William Oviatt, Head of Fundraising at Thistle Foundation adds: “We are delighted to be Fort Kinnaird’s charity partner.

“At Thistle Foundation we believe in a world of inclusion, free of isolation and loneliness, where a health crisis shouldn’t mean a life crisis. This support will help us to ensure that people who are living with long-term health conditions such as Parkinson’s, arthritis, the effects of COVID-19 and the pandemic, or mental health conditions, have the support they need to live well.”

Fort Kinnaird announced its partnership with Thistle in February and has since been raising money for the Edinburgh charity through the centre’s Giving Box. 

Fort Kinnaird is open 9am – 9pm on weekdays and 9am – 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information about planning a trip to Fort Kinnaird, please visit www.fortkinnaird.com. 

Help those whose Christmas is in danger of becoming a casualty of the cost of living crisis

The Leith Collective launches Christmas tree and festive food exchange

With the cost of living rising ever higher, many of us are scrutinising our spending and cutting back. Frivolous non-essentials are the first things to be struck off the shopping list, and there is a genuine fear this could mean many families will be forced to sacrifice their Christmas in order to make ends meet.

However, one local Community Interest Company is working hard to ensure those in need can still experience and enjoy the spirit of Christmas. Tuesday 1st November will see The Leith Collective launch its Christmas tree and festive food exchange across its three Scottish stores. 

Locals are being urged to search their homes for any unwanted Christmas trees and decorations that may be languishing in cupboards and attics. Non-perishable store cupboard essentials and festive treats are also being accepted. All items will be available for anyone to collect at Ocean Terminal, Fort Kinnaird and St Enoch Centre completely free of charge, no questions asked. 

The Christmas initiative comes just a month after the launch of The Leith Collective’s winter coat exchange which has received an overwhelming response so far, with over 1,000 coats donated and collected by locals.  

The Leith Collective founder, Sara Thomson, explains why she is keen to build on the momentum of the winter coat exchange and go further to help those who are struggling;

“For many people, 2022 has been a real financial struggle, and buying a Christmas tree and festive food will prove to be too much of a stretch this year. These things aren’t ‘essentials’, and it’s highly likely that for them Christmas will be yet another casualty of the cost of living crisis.

“But I believe everyone deserves to have a nice Christmas, and what better way to spread festive cheer than by donating to others and lifting their spirits when they need it most.”

Christmas trees and non-perishable festive food can be dropped off or collected at The Leith Collective at Ocean Terminal, The Leith Collective at Fort Kinnaird, and The Clydeside Collective at St Enoch Centre during opening hours.

It is hoped that by hosting the Christmas tree and festive food exchange in these accessible locations that those currently experiencing difficulties will be able to receive a much-needed helping hand.

Artist J.O.T. and BBC 2 Gardeners’ World

James Owen Thomas’ art exhibition with the Image Collective Gallery at Ocean Terminal, Leith continues until 30th September so there’s only a short time left to see this inspirational artwork created from recycled single use products such as used scratch cards!

James will also be featured on BBC2 Gardeners’ World next Friday (16th September) at 8 pm, where he is interviewed by JJ Chalmers (above).

Go green this spring with a little help from The Leith Collective

The Leith Collective launches Easter Garden Amnesty, Rehome a Houseplant initiative plus Kids Go Green workshops

The Leith Collective has earned a reputation for being Edinburgh’s champions of sustainability, and now they’re helping even more locals go green with the launch of two new initiatives and a series of workshops this Easter.

First up, The Leith Collective has announced an Easter Garden Amnesty. Ideal for those planning to have a spring clear-out, locals can donate any unwanted garden tools, pots, or excess seeds to the shop. These will then be made available for others to collect completely free of charge. The hope is that it will inspire those who have never considered themselves to be particularly green-fingered to give nature a helping hand.

Discussing the initiative, The Leith Collective Founder, Sara Thomson explained: “I know how therapeutic gardening is and how beneficial it can be to an individual’s mental health. But the cost of buying tools can be a financial barrier to some people, especially in light of the rising cost of living.

“So, we thought an Easter Garden Amnesty would be a great way of supporting a circular economy – keeping tools in use, rather than going to landfill – and encouraging people to have a go at growing something.”

In addition to the Easter Garden Amnesty, The Leith Collective has also launched their Rehome a Houseplant initiative and are inviting locals to donate cuttings of houseplants which will be popped into jars of water to propagate in the store. These plants will then be available for others to take home completely free of charge.

The Leith Collective will also be hosting a series of green-themed workshops throughout the Easter holidays, including a Kids Go Green event where children can paint a flowerpot, plant a seed, take it home and watch it grow. 

So, whether you fancy adding a little greenery to your home with a new houseplant, or you have big ambitions to transform your local area with some guerrilla gardening, head to The Leith Collective for everything you need to get growing.

Donate a Christmas tree and help rewild the Scottish Highlands


The award-winning Leith Collective reveals their plans to give back this Christmas with the launch of their ‘Relove, Rewild Christmas’ and ‘Secret Seasonal Sculptures’ initiatives

The Leith Collective has had an incredible year, adding a string of awards and accolades to their name, so this Christmas they’re going all out to give back – to the people of Edinburgh and to the environment.

And they’re calling on locals to join them by putting sustainability at the top of their wishlists with the launch of their ‘Relove, Rewild Christmas’ and ‘Secret Seasonal Sculptures’ initiatives. 

Got an unloved Christmas tree languishing in your attic? Take it to The Leith Collective where they will be rehoming trees throughout the festive period, spreading Christmas cheer to those who can’t afford to buy one. What’s more, for every Christmas tree donated to the Edinburgh store, a real tree will be planted right here in Scotland. 

The Leith Collective will be donating to Trees for Life which aims to rewild the Scottish Highlands and restore the Caledonian Forest. Native trees such as Scots Pines and woodland plants will be planted in the quest to reduce our carbon footprint, and to provide space for wildlife to flourish and communities to thrive.

Commenting ahead of the launch of the ‘Relove, Rewild Christmas’ initiative, The Leith Collective founder, Sara Thomson said; ‘For anyone who has a tree or decorations gathering dust in their loft, this is a great way to ensure they continue to spread Christmas cheer.

“We understand many people have had it tough throughout the pandemic, therefore we will be giving away the donated trees and decorations completely free of charge to anyone who requests one, no questions asked”.

And to spread that Christmas cheer even further, The Leith Collective has called upon some of their resident artists to create a series of 24 seasonal sculptures – each lovingly reimagined and handcrafted from old wooden fixings – and they will be hiding one each day in the run up to Christmas throughout the city centre. 

Discussing the advent surprises, Sara commented; ‘The secret seasonal sculptures are a fun way to show people what can be created using materials that would otherwise be discarded. We hope they encourage more people to get creative this Christmas and keep sustainability at the forefront of their mind’. 

The first secret seasonal sculpture will appear somewhere in Edinburgh on Wednesday 1st December and anyone who finds one can take it along to The Leith Collective where they will receive an additional festive surprise.

The ‘Relove, Rewild Christmas’ and ‘Secret Seasonal Sculptures’ initiatives are just two ways The Leith Collective plan to give back this Christmas after what has been a phenomenal year for them.

In January 2021, The Leith Collective became the UK’s first single-use plastic free shop of its kind and was later crowned runner up in the Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free Awards.

In July, owner Sara Thomson took her message of sustainability west-side, opening The Clydeside Collective in Glasgow’s St Enoch Centre, followed by The Camdentown Collective in London’s Buck Street Market in September. Later that month, Sara was specially selected to become a UK ‘One Step Greener’ ambassador and showcased her story of how she is tackling climate change at COP26.

From Sara’s role as a One Step Greener ambassador and the inspirational work The Leith Collective is doing to showcase sustainability, the Prime Minister chose Sara to become the UK’s 1772nd Point of Light.

As a result, Sara met Boris Johnson at 10 Downing Street and enjoyed a video chat with the Queen. On returning to Edinburgh, Sara received the news that she had won two awards at the Creative Edinburgh Awards – The Leadership Award and The Social Award.

PM awards Leith campaigner for outstanding sustainability work

Leith Collective founder Sara Thomson honoured with Points of Light award by Boris Johnson

Every day in the UK, one individual volunteer, charity leader or community hero is recognised by the Prime Minister for the positive change they are making in their local area. Today, Monday 25 October, the award has been given to The Leith Collective founder, Sara Thomson, for her outstanding sustainability campaign. 

Founded in 2019, The Leith Collective provides a platform for 130 artists brought together by a common aim to recycle, repurpose, and reimagine items that may otherwise have been destined for landfill.

The retail space has evolved into a hub of creativity, playing host to inspiring workshops designed to support the local community. It also actively supports individuals with mental health issues by providing vital employment opportunities. 

In January 2021, The Leith Collective became the UK’s first single-use plastic free shop of its kind and was later crowned runner up in the Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free Awards.

In July 2021, owner Sara Thomson took her message of sustainability west-side, opening The Clydeside Collective in Glasgow’s St Enoch Centre, followed by The Camdentown Collective in London’s Buck Street Market in September 2021.

Most recently, Sara was specially selected to become a UK ‘One Step Greener’ ambassador and will showcase her story of how she is tackling climate change at COP26 in Glasgow next week.

As the COP26 summit nears, Prime Minister Boris Johnson was particularly keen to highlight people who are Climate Leaders in their communities and who are championing sustainability as Points of Light.

From Sara’s role as a One Step Greener ambassador and the inspirational work The Leith Collective is doing to showcase sustainability, the Prime Minister chose Sara to become the UK’s 1772nd Point of Light.

The Prime Minister wrote to Sara to personally thank her for her tireless work and she also received an official Points of Light certificate. 

Sara commented: ‘This is such a genuine honour, I’m absolutely delighted to receive this award. In January 2021 The Leith Collective became the first plastic-free shop of its kind in the UK and since then we’ve seen more and more businesses take the plastic-free pledge.

“I’m thrilled that awareness of the importance of sustainability is growing and so many people are getting behind the campaign. I hope that by accepting this Point of Light award that others will be inspired to join us in creating a greener future for all.”

Let’s Talk Waste: Saving the Planet in just six minutes!

Share sustainability hacks at The Leith Collective’s ‘Let’s Talk Waste’ event 

The climate is in crisis and every second counts. But what if all it took was just 6 minutes of your time to help turn things around? Local Edinburgh businesses, artists, and makers are being invited to give just a few minutes of their time to share their top tips at a special ‘Let’s Talk Waste’ event in the capital later this month.

Brought to you by The Leith Collective – crafters, makers, artists and business owners will come together on Thursday 23rd September to discuss ways in which they are reducing their waste and making a difference.

Taking place at Ocean Terminal, the evening will feature a diverse range of speakers; from a maker who creates unique works of art from items otherwise destined for landfill, to a sustainable refill shop, Weigh To Go, and local plant shop, Seb’s Urban Jungle.

The timing of the event is perfect, falling in the middle of Recycle Week, running 20th – 26th September, the aim of which is to galvanise the public into recycling more of the rights things, more often.

It also comes just a month ahead of the crucial COP26 summit which The Leith Collective’s founder, Sara Thomson, will be attending as one of 13 specially selected One Step Greener ambassadors. Her role there will be to share how she is doing her bit to tackle climate change and inspire others to follow suit. 

Commenting ahead of ‘Let’s Talk Waste’, Sara Thomson explained: “The event is part of The Leith Collective’s ongoing sustainability campaign which aims to encourage people to reuse, recycle and relove everyday items, and we wanted to open up the platform to as many local businesses and artists as possible to help spread the message of sustainability far and wide. 

“Knowledge is power, and by sharing inspirational stories and exchanging top tips in this accessible, easy-to-digest 6-minute format, everyone can learn something new, and together we can make a massive difference.”

EVENT INFORMATION

‘Let’s Talk Waste’ will take place at the ex GAP store on the Ground Floor level of Ocean Terminal on Thursday 23rd September, 6pm – 8:30pm. The event is free to attend and refreshments will be provided.