ONE of Scotland’s prominent homebuilders has begun the process of reopening its Scottish sales offices and showhomes in line with the latest Government guidelines.
CALA Homes’ on-site sales suites across the East, West and North of Scotland will begin opening by appointment only, from Monday 29 June.
The reopening will allow house hunters to progress their new home journey as lockdown eases, with services such as Part Exchange and Guaranteed Buyer available to help give buyers confidence.
Ravelrig Heights, Balerno
Philip Hogg, Saled and Marketing Director with CALA Homes (East), said: “We are looking forward to welcoming customers back to our sales offices and helping them in their search for their dream home.
“The safety of our customers, our team and the wider community is absolutely paramount, and we’ve put in place a number of new health and safety measures to ensure their wellbeing, which all of our teams have been extensively briefed on.
“We’ve increased the frequency of cleaning in our sales suites and showhomes and will leave time between each appointment for this to take place. There’ll also be some changes throughout the experience, such as protective screens and hand sanitiser stations, and new signage to help customers navigate the sales areas safely.
“While our sales teams won’t be able to accompany customers around showhomes, customers will be given plenty of time to explore these properties on their own, and our advisors will be on hand before and after to answer any questions.
“We want to thank customers in advance for their understanding of the new measures and urge them to make an appointment before coming to see us, to help us safely stagger visitors. Our teams are very excited to be opening our doors again and are looking forward to making dream homes a reality once more.”
Househunters who are unable to visit CALA’s showhomes can still continue their journey with CALA through its two new services, Virtual Guided Tours and Remote Reservations. The services, which are available throughout CALA’s Scottish regions, enable customers to view and reserve homes remotely under lockdown.
The Virtual Guided Tour platform incorporates a video call function into a 360 degree interactive virtual tour programme, comprising more than 30 CALA showhomes. It supports two guests at any time as well as the Sales Consultant, meaning buyers can invite along a family member as they would in person. This has the added benefit of inviting a parent or friend who might live further away, which would not currently be an option at in-person viewings.
While on the tour, buyers can also be left on their own to take more time to privately view the property, before being re-joined by their Sales Consultant. They can also view the home in different ways including via an interactive, 3-D dollhouse and birds-eye view of the home. All these additional tools give a further clear picture of the size and scale of the home and each of its rooms, while the tour itself brings the floorplan to life.
CALA has also introduced Remote Reservations to offer customers the opportunity to secure their next home, with a safety net to do so. Reservation fees made through the service are fully refundable, to offer an extra level of reassurance.
The public are being encouraged to shop local as retail businesses across the country prepare to re-open this morning.
Under the move to phase two of the Scottish Government’s route map out of lockdown street-access retail can now re-open once guidance is implemented.
Today also marks the easing of restrictions on housing moves, outdoor markets, the construction sector, factories, warehouses and labs and research facilities.
Retail is an essential part of Scotland’s communities and is one of the country’s largest employers.
The re-opening is underpinned by a new Scottish Government campaign to ensure shopping is safe.
The national campaign, which includes posters for retailers, encourages the public to enjoy shopping again as they safely support businesses in their local area.
It asks shoppers to pay attention to signs, guidance and instructions from shop staff, to shop outside of peak hours and to follow current health guidance. This includes the wearing of face coverings.
Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The progress made in tackling COVID-19 because of compliance of the public with lockdown rules means we are now in a position to ease some restrictions.
“Shops with street access in high streets across the country will be re-opening from today in a significant step towards the recovery of our economy, which has been very severely hit by coronavirus.
“High street retailers have shown huge resilience since the start of lockdown and the work they have done to safely prepare for re-opening, with close engagement between industry and trade unions, has been very welcome.
“As the high street re-opens we are making it clear shoppers are welcome back to their local high street as long as they shop safely and observe key safety messages such as the wearing of face coverings.”
Scotland Policy Chair for the Federation of Small Businesses Andrew McRae, said: “We all have a part to play in breathing life back into our high streets and town centres. Local independent retailers have had a very long, tough few months and they need the public’s support now more than ever.
“We know that money spent locally stays in the local community – and local communities can’t recover unless local economies do so too.”
David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: “The last fourteen weeks have been very challenging for retailers. Lockdown has forced them to rely on their limited reserves of cash and short term financial support, including the Scottish Government’s grants and rates relief, to survive.
“Being able to reopen today is a chance for those businesses to recover, and hopefully thrive.
“In preparation shop owners have put in an immense effort to take every step possible to be ready to safely open and our hope is customers will come out and support their local town centre and high street.”
Police have confirmed that a 36-year-old man has died following a crash on Mount Vernon Road on Thursday. He has not yet been named.
The incident happened at around 8:45 at the crossroads junction with Gilmerton Road and Kingston Avenue, involving a Mercedes Sprinter van and the male cyclist.
The driver of the van was not injured in the collision.
Sergeant Jennifer Forbes, of Edinburgh’s Road Policing Unit, said: “Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of the deceased at this terrible time.
“I’d like to thank those members of the public who have contacted us with information on the collision over the past few days and continue to appeal for any other witnesses to come forward, particularly if you have possible dashcam footage of the incident itself or either the vehicle or the cyclist in the area shortly beforehand.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police on 101, quoting incident number 1312 of 26 June.
Statement given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at the media briefing in St Andrew’s House on Friday 26 June:
Good afternoon, and welcome to today’s briefing.
I’ll start with the usual daily update on Covid-19.
An additional 17 positive cases were confirmed yesterday – that takes the total now in Scotland of confirmed cases to 18,213.
It’s possibly worth noting that the percentage of people tested who turn out to be positive is now well below 1% on a daily basis. Yesterday it was 0.3%, which is one of many signs of the progress we are making.
A total of 823 patients are currently in hospital with the virus either confirmed or suspected. That is three fewer than yesterday, and it includes a reduction of five in the number of confirmed cases.
A total of 17 people last night were in intensive care and that is one fewer than yesterday.
Since 5 March, a total of 4,042 patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 and needed hospital treatment have been able to leave hospital. I wish all of them well.
And in the last 24 hours, I’m very pleased to say that no deaths were registered of a patient confirmed through a test as having COVID-19. It’s worth noting that when I’ve announced a zero figure for deaths in last couple of weeks, it’s been reflecting deaths registered at the weekend and we know those can be artificially low.
Today is the first time that figure has been at zero on a weekday since 20 March, which is before lockdown began.
That is really significant and it is down to the sacrifices of each and every one of you so thank you to all of you.
And it means that the total number of deaths in Scotland – under that measurement of people confirmed by a test as having the virus – remains at 2,482.
The loss of life is still devastating of course, and I want to send my deepest condolences to everyone behind these statistics who has lost a loved one as a result of this illness. As I hope we continue to report lower numbers of deaths, we should never become inured to the human suffering behind these figures, so again my thoughts are with everybody who has suffered bereavement.
I also want to express my thanks – as I always do – to our health and care workers, and indeed to all our key workers across the country. I’m going to make a special mention today, given an issue which I’ll mention later on, to our refuse collectors who – right throughout this crisis – have been working to help keep our country clean and tidy. Key workers the length and breadth of the country are doing extraordinary work and you have my, and the Scottish Government’s, very grateful thanks.
There’s one main issue I want to focus on today. And it concerns a very significant change which comes into effect next week.
From Monday, all retail premises with outdoor entrances and exits will be able to reopen. That change doesn’t apply to indoor shopping centres yet – they will have to wait a bit longer. But it does cover the vast majority of shops.
Many stores have – of course – been planning for this moment, for some time.
At the start of phase 1 – in late May – we published guidance to help retailers prepare for a safe reopening.
This morning, I visited the New Look store at Fort Kinnaird, in Edinburgh. And I saw for myself, the kinds of measures which shops are putting in place.
Among other things, those measures include new limits to the number of customers that are allowed in store at any one time; new processes for cleaning and quarantining items which have been handled; and new signs to help with physical distancing.
Alongside these in-store preparations, retailers and local authorities have also been making changes to the public spaces outside shops. For example, distance markers are being laid down, and street furniture is being removed – to allow for safe outdoor queuing.
All of that has required an enormous amount of work. So I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who is helping our retail sector to get back up and running. At the same time, I also want to thank the key workers – in shops and pharmacies – who have kept our country going over the past three months, because they’ve been working in what we have called essential shops. All of your efforts are hugely appreciated as well.
Scotland’s retailers are making the necessary preparations, but I want to stress that all of us – each and every one of us – have a role to play in making sure that this reopening can work and work safely.
That’s why today the Scottish Government is publishing new guidance for customers. It sets out the basic rules that all of us need to follow, in order to keep safe ourselves and to help keep others safe too.
As the guidance says, there are some people who should not be going into shops at all for now – for example, those who have COVID-19 symptoms and are self-isolating, and those who are in the shielding group.
If you are in either of these groups – or if you need extra support – then you can have food and medicine delivered to you – that might be by family and friends, local volunteers, or supermarket delivery services. If you need help over and above that you can call our National Helpline – the number is 0800 111 4000, and help, including the delivery of essential food and medicines can be arranged.
For those of us who are able to go to the shops from Monday, the guidance is clear.
You should shop locally if you can. For now, use the five mile limit as a guide – and don’t travel further, unless it’s absolutely necessary. I appreciate that for people living in rural or island communities, it might not be possible to stick to that kind of limit – but for most of us, it should be, and it is perhaps an opportunity to support our local shops in the process as well.
You should try to shop on you own – or in as small a group as possible. And avoid going to crowded shops at peak times – choose a time when the shops are likely to be less busy.
When you do go into a shop, please wear a face covering. That’s something that we are advising you strongly to do.
I wore a face covering this morning, when I visited New Look. So I know that it takes a bit of getting used to. But you do get used to it.
And the hard fact is that a bit of discomfort – which none of us enjoy – is preferable to getting COVID or passing it on to someone else.
Face coverings serve a really important purpose, in enclosed spaces like shops.
By wearing one, you reduce the risk that you will unknowingly pass on the virus to other people. And other people, by wearing a face covering, are helping to protect you. So please – unless medical reasons prevent it – wear a face covering if you’re going into a shop.
In addition, you should only visit stores which have infection control measures in place. You should use the hand sanitiser they provide – and at New Look this morning there were plenty of hand sanitiser stations around – but take your own as well in case you can’t find any that is available.
And finally, when we are out shopping, all of us need to remain patient and polite.
There are going to be times when retail staff ask us to follow rules which we’re not used to because they haven’t previously been in place. So it’s important for all of us to listen to them, and to treat staff – and our fellow customers – with respect. These rules are there for the protection of all of us. Abusing retail staff because they’re telling you to do something you don’t want to do is not acceptable. These people are at work and have to be kept safe too so please, treat them with respect and courtesy.
The guidance we’re publishing today is very straightforward – it’s also extremely important. So please take a look at it. As with all our guidance you’ll find it on the Scottish Government’s website.
By following the guidance, we can help to support our retail sector. This crisis has been and continues to be tough for our economy overall, but within that the retail sector has been hard hit, so I want to see people support our shops in communities the length and breadth of the country, but make sure we do it safely and responsibly so that this important step out of lockdown can be taken while we continue to suppress the virus.
And that really is my concluding point. Suppressing the virus, driving it as far as we can towards total elimination has to be our overriding priority.
We have made exceptional progress over the past three months, and the figures today highlight that. But it has only been possible, because the vast majority of us have stuck to the rules.
You’ll keep hearing me say this time and time again, because it’s true and it is important that we never forget it. The virus hasn’t gone away, and it will not go away of its own accord. There are plenty of parts of the world right now where it is still on the rise, and there are some parts of the world where, unfortunately, it appears to be on the rise again as societies and economies open up. The warning signs are all around us and we must not ignore them. We ignore them at our peril.
A big concern for me is that – as we ease more restrictions – people drop their guard. It is perhaps human nature. And of course, the potential for that increases – as people are out and about, and seeing each other much more.
We saw an example of that last night in Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow. And while I understand people’s desire to enjoy the sunshine – on the very days of the year when we actually have any – please avoid crowded places.
If you find that the place you want to visit is busy, don’t go there. Try to find somewhere quieter or go back at a time when it is going to be quiet. Crowded places are a big risk, and that is true of outdoor crowded places – although the risk might be slightly lower than it is of indoor places. Crowded places generally, please seek to avoid them.
When large crowds gather, it provides opportunities for the virus to spread. And this highly infectious virus – which we know can be deadly and increasingly we know it can do long term health damage – this virus will take those opportunities if we give them to it.
So we mustn’t provide them.
And, of course, if you are out and about, enjoying public spaces responsibly, please take litter home with you. Refuse collectors across the country are doing an incredible job – and I thank them – but they should not have to clean up after outdoor gatherings.
So please, now more than ever our individual decisions affect all of us – they affect society as a whole. That means all of us need to be considerate of one another. That should be the case at all times but it is particularly true right now. It’s really important that we care for each other, that we look out for each other, that we remember that the things we do could harm other people. And if we all act in that collective spirit of love and solidarity, as we have throughout this, then we will continue to see that progress continue.
So before I hand over to the Economy Secretary, I want to remind everyone what key public health guidance says.
At the moment, you should still only meet up with other households outdoors. So if you think it may rain, plan for that, don’t go indoors just because it’s raining.
And only meet with up to two other households at any one time. The restrictions on larger gatherings – and it’s worth stressing that includes mass gatherings such as demonstrations – remain enforceable by law.
If you are visiting people, you should only be going indoors to use the toilet, or to get through to a garden. And remember to clean any surfaces you touch, as you do so.
I will end with facts, as I have done repeatedly in the last few days, which is the public health campaign summarising the key points you need to remember.
Face coverings should be worn in enclosed spaces such as shops. They are mandatory on public transport.
Avoid crowded places.
Clean your hands and hard surfaces regularly.
Two metre distancing remains the rule.
and Self isolate, and book a test, if you have symptoms.
If we all remember and abide by these five basic measures, all of us can stay safe, protect others and save lives.
We have made so much progress – but it will reverse in a heartbeat if we drop our guard.
It would be heartbreaking – for so many reasons – to go backwards now.
So please let’s all unite to keep this virus under control.
I want to thank all of you for what you have been doing, and what I know you will continue to do, to help us achieve that.
Walk the Walk’s supporters have continued to fundraise through the 2.6 challenge and its own virtual MoonWalk Celebration Road Trip
Grant-making charity Walk the Walk is stepping in with emergency grants to support frontline cancer charities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The charity’s Founder and Chief Executive Nina Barough is so concerned about the effect on the lives of cancer patients during the past three months, she felt Walk the Walk really had to do something to try and help.
Walk the Walk’s own fundraising has been massively affected by the pandemic, with the postponement of its events, including The MoonWalk Scotland and The MoonWalk London, where millions of pounds would normally be raised in one night. However Walk the Walk’s supporters have continued to fundraise through the 2.6 challenge and its own virtual “MoonWalk Celebration Road Trip”, raising almost £100,000.
Nina and the charity are very excited to announce they will be making ‘Emergency Grants’ to the value of £20,000 each month to frontline cancer charities, until the end of the year.
The grants will only be made to organisations which are involved in delivering services and support directly to cancer patients. Even a few thousand pounds could make a huge difference in keeping services running at this time.
The effects of the pandemic have been enormous for those diagnosed with cancer. Cancer surgery has fallen to around 60 % of expected levels and 6,000 fewer cancer patients than expected are receiving chemotherapy*. Many people are also being forced to go through treatment on their own. Loneliness is one of the key issues for which frontline cancer charities provide support.
Local cancer services and helplines are being overwhelmed and many having little or no funding coming in, due to their normal sources of fundraising having stopped.
Nina Barough CBE, Walk the Walk’s Founder and Chief Executive said; “After working passionately for the last 23 years to raise money to improve the lives of those living with cancer and for research into breast cancer, it is distressing to see the situation that many cancer patients have found themselves in.
“I really felt that we should do something no matter what and came up with the idea of providing emergency grants. The main aim of these grants is to give charities funding to get them through the next few months, and hopefully allow them some breathing space, so that they can support those who really need it”.
At about 8.30pm on Friday 19th June, a 32 year old man was cycling his dark red Genesis Hybrid pedal cycle on Barnton Avenue.
About 20 yards from the junction with Cramond Road South, the rider became unseated from his bike and sustained injuries. The exact cause of the incident is unknown, however there is the possibility that another vehicle may have been involved.
Images of the bike are attached and at this time it is unconfirmed if any other vehicles were involved.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101, quoting incident 2977 of 22 June.
Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins said Police Scotland will continue to provide a robust response to any potential disorder across the country.
He said: “We are aware of a few planned demonstrations and protests which are due to take place across Scotland this weekend. We live in a democratic society and Police Scotland is absolutely committed to respecting people’s rights to freely and peacefully express their views.
“Recent disorder in George Square saw people hijacking a peaceful event with the intention of violence and thuggery.
“This remains completely and utterly unacceptable and we will not tolerate these scenes, including attacks both physical and verbal on the public and our officers.
“My message to those who have been involved in the disgraceful scenes witnessed over the last couple of weeks is that if you continue to behave like this then be prepared to be arrested.
“We have a comprehensive policing plan in place with access to additional resources that can be deployed very quickly to respond to incidents of disorder anywhere in Scotland.
“However, I would remind people that the lockdown restrictions remain in place and people should only leave their homes for very limited purposes. Anyone who wishes to protest should find another way of doing so that keeps everyone safe.”
Six in hospital following incident at Park Inn Hotel
Constable David Whyte has been named as the police officer seriously injured in yesterday’s stabbing attack at a Glasgow hotel. The 42-year-old officer’s condition is described as ‘critical but stable’.
PC Whyte was one of six people injured in the attack at the Park Inn hotel, which is currently housing asylum seekers. The suspect was shot dead by police.
Late last night, Chief Constable Iain Livingstone made the following statement on the incidents in West George Street, Glasgow:
“Terrible incidents such as we have seen today are, thankfully, very rare in Scotland. This event has understandably shocked the people of Glasgow, and indeed, the whole country.
“My thoughts and very best wishes are with those who have been injured and their families, including our colleague Constable David Whyte who was seriously injured in the course of doing his duty. I offer my personal support to all those affected.
“Officers have once again run into danger to protect their fellow citizens. Their professionalism as police officers was outstanding. I pay tribute to their bravery, selflessness and commitment to protecting the public.
“I briefed the First Minister and the Prime Minister earlier today on the circumstances and advised them both that we are not treating the attack as a terrorist incident.
“It is essential enquiries are now carried out to establish the full circumstances and all speculation must be avoided.
“Scotland is a safe place to live and work. We have cohesive communities who work with their police service to maintain our peaceful and respectful way of life.
“In the context of the current health emergency, and to respect those injured today and the people of Glasgow, I ask everyone to exercise personal responsibility. Please, do not gather in crowds this weekend.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has responded to the serious incident in Glasgow’s West George Street.
The First Minister said: “First and foremost my thoughts are with all those people who have been caught up in this terrible incident, particularly the six injured people taken to hospital for treatment, as well as residents and staff at the hotel.
“I also want to thank all of those police officers whose quick and decisive actions contained the incident – one of whom was among those taken to hospital – as well as the work of the other emergency services. The Justice Secretary and I have been kept informed through the afternoon and briefed by the Chief Constable.
“While such a serious incident is rare in Scotland it is another reminder of the courage and professionalism of our police officers who are willing to run towards danger in order to protect the lives of others.
“Clearly there is already much speculation around this incident, which remains under investigation.
“I would urge everyone to avoid such speculation, to not share potentially harmful or upsetting material on social media and to follow police advice while investigations are underway.”
10 Downing Street issued the following statement:
The PM has this afternoon spoken with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon about the incident in Glasgow.
He has also held a meeting with the Home Secretary and senior police officers, in which he was updated. The Prime Minister thanked the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, Iain Livingstone, for the exceptional bravery of his officers at the scene.
The PM’s thoughts remain with the injured and their loved ones.
