Clambers guarantees climbing fun as popular soft play reopens

Children can once again get active at Edinburgh Leisure’s Clambers soft play at the Royal Commonwealth Pool when it reopens tomorrow (Thursday 24th February) after its five-week closure for a major refurbishment.

Clambers has a new frame for babies, toddlers, and juniors, with an aquatic theme and is designed so parents can supervise easily, and children can play freely, all within a securely gated area. 

There are slides, an upper storey football pitch and many more exciting features to explore. Its party room has also been rebranded; its Café Refresh has been upgraded with new tables and chairs; its café servery extended and the reception desk has been replaced.

When Clambers reopens there will no longer be the requirement to pre-book sessions – parents, carers and guardians can just rock up and there are now also 90-minute sessions to enjoy, in addition to the 60-minute sessions.

Edinburgh Leisure’s two other soft plays – Scrambles at EICA: Ratho and Tumbles at Portobello, will also be removing the need to pre-book sessions, which will come into play from Tuesday, 1st March. In addition, 90-minute sessions will also be added.

Lynne Bauba, Manager at Royal Commonwealth Pool said: “It seems that we are finally moving towards some sort of normality, and we are delighted to be reintroducing our 90-minute sessions, in addition to our 60-minute sessions – so, you can now enjoy our soft plays for longer. 

“It is worth noting though that if you’re visiting at peak times, you may only be able to enjoy our soft play for a shorter 60-minute session rather than 90, or you may have to wait a little until space becomes available.  It will be worth the wait though as the new look Clambers is looking fabulous. We can’t wait to welcome you back.”

For more information:   https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/activities/soft-play

Major upgrade boosts local community health services

Lindsay & Gilmour’s popular pharmacy in Blackhall will unveil the completion of a major upgrade to its facilities this month, following a substantial refurbishment over the past nine months.  

The new look community pharmacy, which has been operated by Lindsay & Gilmour since 2000, will offer patients and local residents an enhanced environment in which to access medical advice, support and prescriptions at a convenient location and time. 

As a result of the refurbishment, which followed a flooding incident in the building last year, the pharmacy has benefited from brand new fittings throughout, increased public space, more IT stations and a larger consultation room allowing for more services in the future. The pharmacy shop area has also been made more customer friendly with wheelchair access and a new staff room area has been created.  

Pharmacy Manager Stephen Deazley and his team of highly experienced and knowledgeable health care professionals are looking forward to welcoming customers back into the pharmacy soon.  

The official re-opening, taking place at Lindsay & Gilmour, 22 Hillhouse Road, Blackhall, Edinburgh, EH4 2AG will take place between 11am and 12pm tomorrow (Thursday 24th June).

Customers are encouraged to come and visit our new look pharmacy during our relaunch week and receive 10% off purchases, a goody bag and a free health check.  This will include blood pressure testing, health advice, glucose testing, stop smoking, diet and lifestyle advice. 

Lindsay & Gilmour Superintendent Pharmacist and Managing Director Philip Galt said: “I am so proud of the resilience of the whole pharmacy team at Blackhall who have remained dedicated to serving their local community throughout a challenging time in the last year.

“As well as rising to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the team have had to work in a very limited space as the pharmacy underwent a considerable refurbishment following a bad flood.  The pharmacy refit is now complete, and we are delighted with the results.  

“Our patients can look forward to being welcomed and served in a state-of-the art environment by the same dedicated team of pharmacy professionals that make Lindsay & Gilmour so special.” 

Warrender Swim Centre to close for major refurbishment

Iconic Victorian swimming pool to close on Christmas Eve

Another of Edinburgh’s iconic Victorian pools, Warrender Swim Centre, home to the Warrender Baths Club said to be the oldest, most famous and most successful swimming club in Scotland is being temporarily closed for a major refurbishment, from Thursday, 24 December 2020, with a planned reopening in September 2021.

Stephanie Kelly, Leisure Manager at Warrender Swim Centre said: ‘Edinburgh Leisure is unique in having five B-listed Victorian pools in our portfolio but from time to time, these historic venues need some ‘tlc’.

“At 133 years, the investment will future-proof the building so that customers can continue to enjoy its facilities for many years to come, as they have done for previous generations. 

“We will, however, still maintain certain characteristics of  ‘Warrender Baths’ to ensure they keep their charm, which is so loved by the people of Bruntsfield, Marchmont and, indeed Edinburgh.”

With a 25-yard pool, sauna and a 20-station gym, Warrender is a Victorian swim centre in the heart of Bruntsfield and Marchmont. This historic venue retains many of its original features, including the original steam room’s roof in the gym, but also has the modern facilities required for an active, healthy life. The gym is located in what used to be the Turkish Baths.

Similar to the recent refurbishments at Leith Victoria and at Dalry Swim Centre, much of the refurbishment will be behind the scenes and will include:

  • Decoration throughout, including updating the changing rooms, both wet and dry, and retiling of the poolside.
  • Opening up the spectating area and adding air-cooling.
  • Installation of a new sauna.
  • New easy access, making it easier for customers to access the building and their activities, with the simple swipe of their membership card or fob.
  • Maintenance work to the sandstone structure and roof, both in keeping with the building’s listing.
  • Upgrades to the mechanical and electrical works, including improvements to the ventilation system, new lighting and installation of venue draining and a new pool plant, which will ensure the building is more energy efficient.
  • New air handling throughout the building including the gym.

During the refurbishment, customers will have their memberships upgraded to enable them to use any of the 50 + other Edinburgh Leisure venues across the city, so they can continue to keep active during the refurbishment.

Updates at every stage will be posted on Edinburgh Leisure’s social media channels and website during the closure and customers have been informed of the impending renovations.

Warrender Swim Centre
55 Thirlestane Road, Edinburgh EH9 1AP

Cineworld Edinburgh unveils fully refurbished cinema

Cineworld Edinburgh has announced an exclusive £3 ticket offer to celebrate its completed refurbishment which will be available only for 2D screenings on Friday 15th November to Thursday 21st November.

The full set of film listings will be available to purchase online at www.cineworld.co.uk/cinemas/edinburgh from today. Continue reading Cineworld Edinburgh unveils fully refurbished cinema

Leith Victoria pool to close for six months

Iconic Victorian swimming pool, Leith Victoria Swim Centre, is being  refurbished  from Monday 12 August and will be out of use until February next year. 

Due to the unique layout of the centre, it will be a phased refurbishment, starting with the closure of the pool and studio 2, with these areas reopening in February 2020. Continue reading Leith Victoria pool to close for six months

Council picks up the pieces following McGill collapse

The collapse of building maintenance company McGill has left a number of local people in hot water – or, rather, without it. Continue reading Council picks up the pieces following McGill collapse