Property developer S Harrison Developments have revealed ‘exciting proposals’ for a residential-led development at Ocean Point 2 in Leith.
Neighbouring Ocean Point 1, whose occupiers include VisitScotland, the brownfield site will aim to comprise a mix of residential homes for rent alongside other potential uses, which are currently being ascertained. These will occupy two buildings on the site.
Located in Leith, voted in October 2021 by Time Out as one of the “world’s coolest neighbourhoods”, the proposed development is conveniently situated just two miles from Edinburgh city centre and is likely to be attractive to those seeking to live and work in the area, taking advantage of local shops, bars, restaurants and cafés.
The tram line extension between Edinburgh and Ocean Terminal will also provide connectivity between the development and the city centre within 20 minutes.
Two public exhibitions on the proposals will take place on Tuesday 13th December and Thursday 9th February between 2pm and 7pm at Ocean Terminal.
Further information will also be posted on the website at:
Harrison has a long pedigree of working in the city, ranging from delivering the Malmaison at St Andrew Square to student developments at Westfield and Gorgie and hotel development at Osborne House, Haymarket.
A spokesperson for Harrison Developments commented: “We are extremely excited to reveal our proposals for this brownfield site. There are serious demands on housing supply in the city and this is a superb location in what has been voted one of the world’s ‘coolest neighbourhoods’.
“The proposals will significantly assist in the regeneration of this part of the city and we look forward to engaging with the local community, providing it with the opportunity to input their views and shape our ambitious proposals.”
Leith-based social enterprise formally receives its Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
Its win in the ‘Sustainable’ category in April announced before the death of Her Majesty the Queen
The Edinburgh Remakery, an innovative social enterprise based in Scotland’s capital, has been presented with a Queens Award for Enterprise, one of the UK’s most prestigious business accolades, recognising its outstanding achievement and excellence in social and environmental sustainability.
The Award was presented on a visit to the Ocean Terminal-based business by the Right Honourable Robert Aldridge in his role as Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh. The Award is one of the last to be made in the name of her late Majesty the Queen.
Coming the week before the UN Climate Change Conference 2022 in Egypt, and at a time when conversations around the circular economy and additional solutions to climate change are being held worldwide, this prominent award recognises local efforts in overcoming environmental challenges.
The Edinburgh Remakery is spearheading a tangible change in consumer behaviours, whereby customers are seeking ways to limit their environmental impact through more conscientious buying choices.
The environmental social enterprise, with a mission to reduce waste and strengthen communities, is this week launching new services to better enable residents of Edinburgh and beyond to live more sustainably.
These services include the much-anticipated return of their affordable laptop and computer repair services and in-store sales of quality, refurbished electronic goods.
In his speech on presenting the Award the Right Honourable Robert Aldridge, Lord Lieutenant said: “This is a substantial Civic Award and represents the highest honour that the Monarch can bestow upon a company or enterprise based and operating within the UK.
“The Award is a clear recognition and reflection of the value, efforts, and talent of a Board and Staff grouping, and is underpinned by strong and inspiring performance”
Elaine Brown, CEO of The Edinburgh Remakery says: ““Since re-emerging from lockdown, we have looked to our community and evolved to meet their changing needs, ensuring that we continue to offer services that aid their lives and their wellbeing whilst responding to environmental challenges.
“We’re delighted to have received recognition through the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and take this as further evidence that our role, and the role of other social enterprises, is proving vital in supporting Scotland’s transition to a Net Zero economy and in tackling climate change for good.”
This year, 232 businesses representing every part of the UK were recognised by Her Majesty the Queen on her birthday as among the best in the country.
The Edinburgh Remakery is one of 31 organisations across the UK to be awarded recognition in Sustainable Development.
Marks and Spencer is to close it’s food store in Ocean Terminal. The store will close before the end of the year, but the company insists ‘the vast majority’ of Leith staff will be offered new jobs other M & S stores.
Scott Munro, M&S’s regional manager for the east of Scotland, said: “Shopping habits are changing and we’re reshaping our store estate across Scotland and the UK to make sure we’re reflecting the needs of our customers.
“As part of this transformation, we have today announced to colleagues our decision to close the M&S Ocean Terminal store at Ocean Terminal later this year.
“Our priority is to support our colleagues through these changes and we are confident of being able to offer new roles to the vast majority of those affected.
“We are committed to Edinburgh and this decision means there are more opportunities to invest in our eight other stores across the city.”
“But their decision does not impact on our plans. Instead, it has allowed us to actively pursue a range of opportunities for partnership with alternative food retailers as part of ongoing plans to reconfigure Ocean Terminal and shape the ongoing transformation of the centre and its important waterfront location.”
Responding to news of the closure of the Marks & Spencer store in Ocean Terminal, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “I was shocked to find out today that the M&S store in Ocean Terminal is set for closure with the loss of a number of jobs. This could be the death knell for Ocean Terminal.
“Marks & Spencer is one of Ocean Terminal’s remaining flagship outlets for the area.
“With the tram set to arrive before long, I fear that this is a short-term decision that will damage Leith in the long-term.
“I will be writing to Marks & Spencer to seek a meeting to urgently review this decision.”
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).
Following the successful ‘Meet The Artist’ event that took place earlier this week at the FROM WASTE TO WALL exhibition held at the Image Collective Gallery in Leith, James Owen Thomas (also known by his initials J.O.T.) arranged to meet Laura McCall, marketing manager of The Royal Yacht Britannia & Fingal Hotel Ocean Drive Leith.
The exhibition takes place directly opposite Britannia’s Visitor Centre and James was delighted to present Ms McCall with a framed original collage Emblem for the Royal Yacht Britannia.
Laura received a personal tour around the art exhibition before inviting James for a tour on board the Britannia. As a COP26 One Step Greener ambassador and environmental artist, James was very impressed with Britannia’s environmental commitment to eliminate, reduce, reuse and recycle waste and he hopes to collaborate with Britannia and Fingal on future projects.
These are his thoughts exactly as James describes how the art he creates has all been made from recycled items.
He said: “If what I can do will encourage and inspire people to re-use and recycle, then hopefully we can look forward to a more environmentally-friendly future.”
James’ exhibition at the Image Collective Gallery, 2nd Floor, Ocean Terminal continues until 30th September and he can be contacted via his website www.jamesowenthomas.com or by email art@jamesowenthomas.com
Join us on 21 Aug, 2pm @ The Wee Hub brought to you by The Living Memory Association in @Ocean_Terminal for a fun-raising fashion show in aid of the Hospice!
We’ll be celebrating our volunteers and showcasing a selection of bridal gowns and evening wear.
Police are appealing for witnesses after a 30-year-old woman was injured at Ocean Terminal Edinburgh at the weekend.
The incident happened around 5.30pm on Saturday (25 June, 2022) when the woman was struck by a shopping trolley which had been thrown from a higher level of the Red Car Park at Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre by a group of youths.
The trolley struck the 30-year-old woman causing minor injury, she did not require hospital treatment but was left extremely shaken by the incident.
Several members of the public came to the aid of the victim and we are asking for them, any other witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to make contact with police on 101 quoting incident number 3433 of Sunday 26 June 2022.
Alternatively, anyone with any information can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org
An enormous six-meter-high sculpture of three elephant tusks made entirely of upcycled pianos goes on display as part of a new exhibition marking the official launch of The Wee Hub at Ocean Terminal this Sunday (19 June 2022).
The sculpture, ‘The Elephant in the Room’, is a tripod of elephant tusks topped with more than 50 ‘ivories’ and is one of ten that can be seen in and around the Wee Hub’s community space, which has taken over the former Debenhams store at the waterfront centre in Leith.
Also on display is ‘Half of a Piano Cube’, a pyramid of three playable pianos, ‘Power to the People’, two grand pianos each boasting a large gramophone-like pentagonal horn made from lids and soundboards and ‘Piano Meant-A-Lot’, an allotment shed made entirely from old pianos and piano parts which houses a beautiful old playable upright piano.
Legless grand piano planter boxes will be filled with vegetables and flowers to complete the bucolic idyll of this particular exhibit.
Each interactive sculpture, conceived and created in Leith by the Pianodrome Community Interest Company, uses locally sourced pianos and the exhibition is their first appearance in Scotland.
As part of The Wee Hub’s official launch, which includes a parade around the centre, circus performances and a series of free events, Tim Vincent -Smith, the artist who designed the sculptures, and Matthew Wright, the Pianodrome producer, will be there from 3pm – 4pm along with Danny McGeever, Edinburgh-based singer songwriter, and Nikki Hill of Dripping Tap Theatre, to give a tour of the sculptures, animating them with music and movement.
Expect music, clowning and a rendition of Sunshine on Leith from Danny.Sean Logan of Full Spectrum, will be there playing the sculptures all day.
Miles Tubb of the Living Memory Association which with the support of Ocean Terminal’s owners created The Wee Hub as a free collaborative space for local community groups in the heart of Leith, said: “Pianodrome’s sculptures are simply fantastic and opening their exhibition as part of our official launch day hits the perfect note.
“They are a community-led organisation, just as all the groups here at The Wee Hub, bringing people together to enjoy the arts, music and our heritage. The day will be a colourful and lively display of local people’s creativity and talents from dance through to circus performance.”
Tim Vincent-Smith and Matthew Wright who are also both musicians from the band S!nk set up Pianodrome in 2017 to build the world’s first amphitheatre made entirely from upcycled pianos. Tim said:
“The sculptures were commissioned by the Leeds International Piano Competition and formed a piano trail around the city which was enjoyed by tens of thousands of people – many made the journey specifically to see them. Having set up in Leith and collecting and working with old pianos from the area, however, exhibiting our sculptures at Ocean Terminal could not be more perfect – it is a bit of a homecoming.
“Working with The Wee Hub also presents us with many opportunities for further collaborations. Here we are at the heart of a lively and creative community and with the likes of Tinderbox, who are also based at OT, we hope to bring piano-inspired workshops and events in the months ahead.”
The Wee Hub Launch also includes a laser sculpture workshop with the artist Jonathon Elder, a fencing demonstration from Salle Holyrood Fencing, Circus workshops from Think Circus, music workshops from Tinderbox, a model railway exhibit, and heritage exhibitions.
There is also a dance programme beginning at 11am with a children’s disco, jazz, a parade and a show from the International Dancers of the Edinburgh Festival Carnival.
The Wee Hub Launch Day Programme:
11am Children’s disco
1pm – Nouvelle Jukebox. Edinburgh based duo. Jazzy vocals and swinging guitar.
2pm – Cutting of ribbon and parade round the Centre
2.30 – International Dancers from Edinburgh Festival Carnival
Projekt 42 launched in 2017. Our main objective was to build a self-sustaining charity that used the income from the sale of fitness and yoga classes to fund a free and low-cost mental health service.
However, since November 2020, we have not been able to find a suitable venue in Edinburgh that could work to bring all of our services together.
As a result, without income-generating activities, such as the sale of gym memberships, yoga classes and personal training, we can no longer continue to fund the mental health services.
While we had hoped to secure funding that could be used to fund the operational costs of the mental health services, unfortunately, there are not enough funding opportunities available to support the demand for the much needed mental health services in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Projekt 42’s model aims to generate the income necessary to support free and low-cost counselling, and our objective is to work to create sustainable changes in the community. Relying on funding opportunities to achieve this is not possible and does not allow us to build a strong team or sustainable service.
The demand for meeting everyday business goals mixed with much-needed social outcomes can sometimes seem impossible. To avoid becoming reliant on grant funding, as of 10th June 2022, Projekt 42’s services will close to redesign the model.
We want to thank all our members, volunteers and the wider Projekt 42 community for your support and encouragement over the last five years.
A vibrant social enterprise based in Leith’s Ocean Terminal has won one of the UK’S most prestigious business accolades, recognising outstanding achievement in social and environmental sustainability, coupled with significant and responsible business growth.
The Edinburgh Remakery, an environmental social enterprise based in Scotland’s capital, has been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise, recognised for its excellence in Sustainable Development.
The Edinburgh Remakery teaches and adopts sustainable practices around repair and reuse to prevent valuable materials and resources, such as electronic devices, from going to waste, and reducing pollution and carbon emissions. In this way, the social enterprise aids the urgent need to change the UK’s economy to one that is more environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable.
Elaine Brown, CEO of The Edinburgh Remakery said:“Receiving the Queens Award for Enterprise is an amazing achievement for us. We’re delighted to receive this recognition for our work in sustainability, and it is a great testament to the role of social enterprises in creating positive change in our communities.
“Putting people and planet first is at the heart of our operations, and this award is a triumph for the circular economy and its vital role in helping Edinburgh and the UK hit their ambitious net zero targets, ending waste and pollution, and helping people to Waste Less, Live More.”
In 2021, the Edinburgh Remakery collected 39 tonnes of electronic waste collected from businesses and individuals across the UK, 352 people were taught repair and reuse skills to help them mend and extend the life of their belongings, and 412 free electronic devices were gifted to people in need across Edinburgh to tackle digital poverty and social isolation.
Now in its 56th year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the country, with winning businesses able to use the esteemed Queen’s Awards Emblem for the next five years. The Edinburgh Remakery is one of 31 organisations across the UK to be awarded recognition in Sustainable Development.
The Edinburgh Remakery team will head to Buckingham Palace next month to formally receive their Queens Award for Enterprise.
This year, 232 businesses representing every part of the United Kingdom and a range of sectors have been recognised by Her Majesty The Queen on her birthday as among the best in the country.
Awards have been won in the categories of:
International Trade (141 winners)
Innovation (51)
Sustainable Development (31)
Promoting Opportunity (9)
Small Business Minister Paul Scully said: “This country is renowned for its entrepreneurial achievements and there is no greater showcase for it than The Queen’s Awards. It’s vital we celebrate the success of our businesses and recognise the contributions they make to communities across the country.
“I congratulate this year’s winners for their hard work and commitment over the last year and I wish them every success for the future.”
