Coming up this Saturday, Castle Street Christmas Market, run by LocalMotive Markets is once again making a festive splash with a wealth of artisan, bespoke ethical and fair trade products, handcrafted gifts and seasonal foodie & drink delights.
Set just below the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle looking onto Princes Street – now in its 15th year – the Christmas market with its distinctive festive gazebos, will be running for four weeks from the 26 November until the 23 December, with new exhibitors joining every week.
This year ice skating, funfair rides and a whole lot of festive activities are taking place across the city and LocalMotive Markets are excited to be running two beautiful Christmas Markets at Castle Street as well Ocean Terminal. *See dates below for Ocean Terminal.
Tania Pramschufer, director of LocalMotive Marketssaid: “We are seeing some amazing talent coming through – and this year with twenty stalls, we have “Loved by Bridget” handmade pebble art and upcycled items made by Lisa from Leven – who has a real passion for all things coastal.
“Also Borders based, Bowbrook Studios making exquisite collectible figurines with everything from farm animals to otters and discover Leanme Art Studio – artist Arias Deniz’s colourful sketches and paintings of Edinburgh streets and houses as well as jewellery.”
“We have built a strong market following from all the artists, producers and local people involved. We are inviting our festive visitors to browse and enjoy our market with the opportunity to buy some unique and affordable gifts – for example Gecko Gifts; Frangipani Toby Jewels, Floraidh Soaps, Gamries Candles and 100% Cards, and authentic Sicilian confectionery by Tipico, a sumptuous range of cheeses from Damn Fine Cheese and out of this world delicious range of chilli jams from Slaped Toasties…..
“Come and join us at our markets and take time to chat to the makers directly, as they each have a terrific story to tell about how they got started – some family run businesses, some part-time creativity or a new life venture – they all have some truly amazing stories to tell. Maybe they will inspire you to become a maker too.
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.”
TK MAXX REWARDS CUSTOMERS IN ‘SUPER SATURDAYS’ AS PART OF A SUMMER OF SPORTING AND SHOPPING BIG WINS
To celebrate 10 years since London 2012, TK Maxx is rewarding shoppers with their very own ‘medal’ haul, as part of their ongoing Summer of Big Wins campaign
Every Saturday in August, there will be 65 gold medal gift cards hidden in stores around the country, to represent the number of medals won by Team GB
Kicking off in London with Rylan, the celebrations will then move on to Birmingham to mark the city hosting the Commonwealth Games, then Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast
Recent research from TK Maxx shows more than half of Brits (55%) say summer is their favourite time of year, compared to 12% who said winter.
63% said they find outdoor exercise easier to do in the summertime.
Whether you’re looking forward to footie in the garden, runs in the park or sprinting to the shade, discover more about TK Maxx’s Summer of Big Wins.
London, summer 2012 – remember anything big happening? Let us remind you.
Ten years ago, Team GB achieved our best ever medal haul at the London 2012 Olympics – and TK Maxx is celebrating by bringing that brilliant winning feeling to customers across the country and giving them the chance to win their own ‘gold medal’ treasure.
The TK Maxx Summer of Big Wins will hit the #TeamGB hotspots, bringing the treasure hunt to every place –
Birmingham, Saturday 6th August
Cardiff, Saturday 13th August
Edinburgh, Saturday 20th August
Belfast, Saturday 27th August
There will be 65 ‘medals’ hidden inside each store, every Saturday in August – each one representing the number won by Team GB in 2012 and giving the public the chance to win up to £65 off their shopping on the everyday amazing value in-store and online.
Rylan was spotted limbering up to uncover his own treasure early this morning at TK Maxx’s flagship store on London’s Oxford Street, don’t miss your chance to do the same and end up on the winner’s podium – it’s going to be a summer of big wins, both sporting and shopping!
TK Maxx recently released research that shows summer simply puts a spring in our step. 77% of Brits polled said they find it easier to get out of bed in the summertime than the winter, with park runs and footy in the garden on their minds.
More than half of Brits (55%) say summer is their favourite time of year, compared to 12% who said winter – to each their own!
Not only that, but 63% of people find it much easier to do outdoor exercise during the summer months – so there’s no better time to stock up on TK’s range of summer essentials across beauty, homeware, fashion and, of course, activewear.
TK Maxx have also undertaken some Very Important Sports Facts (VISF), all with a TK twist…
Did you know?
Mo Farah’s double Gold glory in the Men’s 5,000m and 10,000m is the equivalent of over 20,000 pairs of men’s socks laid out end to end!
The length it took for Bradley Wiggins’ to power to Gold in the Men’s Individual Time Trial is equivalent to that of 73,333 suitcases!
Greg Rutherford’s winning long jump in 2012 was the same as leaping over 57 pairs of men’s sunglasses lying back-to-back!
Jessica Ennis-Hill’s javelin throw on her way to glory in the women’s Heptathlon event was 47.49m – or over 194 women’s shoes!
Tom Daley’s 10m spectacular platform dive in 2012 is the equivalent of over 14 men’s polo shirts stacked on top of each other!
Helen Glover and Heather Stanning rowed for Gold at Eton Dorney – over a distance of more than 13,500 children’s shoes!
You can get all the nation’s favourite summer essentials at TK Maxx with up to 60% less than the RRP.
Whether you’re counting down the days till things cool down or can’t wait to sizzle those sausages on the BBQ, get equipped at TK Maxx with essentials for all year round. But for now, get your hands on our summer must-haves, in-store or online at TKMaxx.com.
Dobbies Garden Centres, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, has marked its partnership with Waitrose by opening its first foodhall in Edinburgh.
Featuring the supermarket’s wide range of high-quality food, grocery products, and everyday essentials, the Waitrose foodhall is one of more than 50 that are to be launched at Dobbies’ stores across the UK and which will bring Waitrose to 20 new towns and cities.
Shoppers at Dobbies’ Edinburgh can choose from an extensive selection of products including the essential Waitrose range, which is the biggest value tier of any supermarket, plus its premium range – Waitrose No. 1 – and Waitrose Duchy Organic. Ready meals, free-from and vegan ranges, prepared fruit and vegetables, snacks and cupboard staples will also be available.
Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said:“Through a shared commitment to great value, quality and sustainability, Waitrose was the natural grocery partner for us as we continue to build on the success of our foodhalls in recent years. I am sure our first Waitrose foodhall at our flagship store in Edinburgh will prove popular with our customers.
“Our foodhalls are integral to our garden centre ranges and the experience of our customers, and we look forward to introducing Waitrose’s offering across our network of UK stores.”
To find out more about the partnership, visit www.dobbies.com.
This year was the biggest Prime Day event for Amazon’s selling partners, most of whom are small and medium-sized businesses, whose sales growth in Amazon’s store outpaced Amazon’s retail business
Since Prime Day shopping began on July 12, select Fire TV, Echo, and Ring devices were some of the best-selling items on Amazon in the UK
AMAZON Prime members purchased more than 300 million items worldwide during Prime Day 2022, making this year’s event the biggest Prime Day event in Amazon’s history.
Topping the list in the UK, the Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote, HD streaming device was the most popular item purchased on Prime Day. And, more shopping means more donations through AmazonSmile. This year, during Prime Day, Amazon doubled donations on all eligible purchases in the UK, making this also one of the biggest days for UK charities on AmazonSmile.
This year was the biggest Prime Day event for Amazon’s selling partners, most of whom are small and medium-sized businesses, whose sales growth in Amazon’s store outpaced Amazon’s retail business. Customers spent over $3 billion on more than 100 million small business items included in the Support Small Businesses to Win Big sweepstakes.
John Boumphrey, Country Manager, Amazon UK said: “UK Prime members participated in Prime Day at record levels, saving on everything from everyday basic to devices seasonal purchases for the summer.
“Prime Day delivered something for everyone – great savings for Prime customers, critical sales for the 65,000 UK small businesses that sell on Amazon, and increasing donations for more than 45,000 UK charities that customers can choose to support through AmazonSmile.
“Thank you to all of the brilliant selling partners who participated in Prime Day this year, and a huge thanks to all of the Amazon employees across the UK who made this event possible for customers.”
“And, by way of reminder for all customers, you can continue to shop using the Small Business badge to find products from small businesses in the UK, and at the same time, continue using AmazonSmile all year long so that while you shop, we donate to your chosen charity.”
Prime Day Continues to Fuel Small Business Success
“As a games business we usually see our busiest sales period in the run up to Christmas but Prime Day has offered a fantastic boost in sales for us at a quieter time of year – just in time for families to play our games on their summer holidays! Sales were up more than 500% compared to a typical equivalent day, which makes a big difference to a small business like ours. At Gamely we’re passionate about getting people playing our games as a way to spend more quality time laughing with their family and friends, and Prime Day 2022 has helped make that a reality!” Hazel Reynolds, Founder of Gamely Games
“Prime Day has been a well needed boost of our sales in a difficult economic climate. We increased our turnover by 30% over the last few days. Funky Soap has worked very hard to keep popular items in stock and we have been preparing for the last few weeks. Of course we also benefit from the Amazon advertising campaigns and the increased traffic to our store. Furthermore the “Small Business” Badge on our listings has helped to improve sales as customers know they can trust and support us as a small company. Overall we are very happy with the Prime Day Event and it has been a success and a rewarding experience.”Anni Kriesche, Founder of Funky Soap Shop LTD
“The whole lead up to Prime day has been incredible for us – to have something to really shout about and get involved in as a small business. We’re grateful to Amazon for doing so much to promote ethical, small businesses, and we’ve learned a lot along the way too. Prime Day itself is going super well – we’re watching all the orders fly in, and we are excited to build on this positivity over the next 12 months.” Ky Wright, Founder of Human Food.
“Thanks to Amazon for shining a spotlight on small businesses. It was great to take part in the recent ‘Small Business, Big Dreams’ panel to explore the impact of social media on growing companies. We’re excited to carry on the momentum with Amazon Prime Day and thrilled to be able to offer such a great deal to our new and existing customers alike: 20% off Supplement and Collagen Serum, 15% off Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner.” Darcy Laceby, Absolute Collagen
Worldwide and U.S. shopping trends around Amazon’s Prime Day event include:
Worldwide Prime Day Trends
Shopping
· Prime members worldwide purchased more than 100,000 items per minute during this year’s Prime Day event.
· Some of the best-selling categories worldwide this Prime Day were Amazon Devices, Consumer Electronics, and Home.
· Prime members worldwide did the most shopping from 9am – 10am PT on Tuesday, 7/12 during the entire Prime Day event.
· Since Prime Day shopping began on July 12, select Fire TV, Echo, and Blink devices were some of the best-selling items on Amazon worldwide.
AmazonSmile is the company’s charity initiative which allows customers to support their chosen UK charity while shopping. Whether shopping online or by turning on AmazonSmile in the Amazon app, eligible purchases made with AmazonSmile generate 0.5% to a customer’s chosen charity. Customers can learn how easy it is to shop with the Amazon app at smile.amazon.co.uk.
Cash strapped Britons planning a holiday barbecue are being offered advice on how to keep the cost down.
The frugal experts at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have put together their tips for hosting a BBQ on a budget.
They suggest shopping around the staples like meat and bread rolls, and to plan ahead and try and bag some yellow sticker bargains.
Other advice includes asking guests to bring a dish with them, opening and cooking only what you need and freezing anything that isn’t used.
John Stirzaker from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: “Having a barbecue is a quintessential part of the UK summer but they’re not the cheapest events to host. Meat can be costly and it’s easy to get seduced and buy the best cuts and cook the lot.
“Instead shop around and see what offers you can find. Also think about asking your guests to bring a pudding, salad or even some of the meat with them. That way it’ll cut the cost burden on you and you can do the same when you’re invited to theirs.
“Remember too that whilst the food is a big part of a BBQ, it’s about getting together with family and friends and enjoying time together.”
Crisps, nachos and dips are a great, cheap starter for guests. Opt for supermarket own brand and decant into bowls.
Buy yellow sticker
Be smart when it comes to shopping for food for your BBQ. Check out the yellow sticker items in the supermarket and stock up on burgers, sausages and any other meaty treats. If they’re close to their sell by date, freeze. Make sure you thoroughly defrost before barbecuing.
Bring a dish
If you’re inviting friends or family around, encourage everyone to bring a dish. Someone could provide the meat, another salad and a third could top up with desserts. That way the cost isn’t all down to one person.
Make your own marinade
Rather than shelling out on expensive marinades, try making your own. Marinades are made with a main ingredient like yoghurt, lemon juice, wine or vinegar, mixed with oil and selected spices. Why not experiment with whatever you have in the cupboard?
Shop around for your meat
Check out your local butcher as well as supermarkets for meat. At this time of year, they may have some good value BBQ offers on.
Use a pack at a time
Don’t put everything on your BBQ at once or open every packet of rolls. Stagger it and only cook and open what you need.
Add some veggies
Vegetables cook well on the BBQ too and are a lot cheaper than meat. Try corn on the cob and jacket potatoes. They’re great fillers to counter all that meat!
Cheap bread
There’s no need to shell out on cheap bread rolls for your BBQ. Check what your supermarket has on offer. It often works out cheaper to buy in bulk so whatever’s left, freeze.
Avoid paper plates
Don’t be tempted to buy throw away plates to make clearing up easier. It’s bad for the environment and your pocket. Just save the clearing up until the next morning.
For those looking to enjoy a day out with family and friends or pick up some last-minute Easter gifts and decorations, Fort Kinnaird has confirmed its Easter weekend opening times.
With a variety of shops and restaurants, as well as ODEON cinema, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the Easter break at Fort Kinnaird.
From Friday 15th – Monday 18th April the centre’s shopping hours will remain the same as normal:
Good Friday – 15th April: 9am – 9pm
Easter Saturday – 16th April: 9am – 6pm
Easter Sunday – 17th April: 9am – 6pm
Easter Monday – 18th April: 9am – 9pm
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said:“We know many people will be looking for ways to spend quality time with family and friends during the Easter break, and we look forward to welcoming them to the centre.
“To help them make the most of this time together, we’re open every day over the Easter weekend, so visitors can spend a day or evening out at the centre.”
Fort Kinnaird is home to more than 70 retailers and restaurants, including Primark, M&S, ProCook, Next, Smyths, Wagamama, Nando’s and Fridays. There are also over 2,600 free parking spaces.
It’s recommended to check the opening hours of individual retailers before setting off to avoid disappointment.
For more information to help plan your Easter trip to Fort Kinnaird, including what’s on head here.
St James Quarter has extended its line-up once again as it welcomes luxury fashion brand Coach to level three.
Taking a 3,140 sq ft space on level three, the global design house of modern luxury leather goods, apparel and lifestyle accessories will sit amongst other designer brands including The Kooples, BOSS, Reiss, Aesop, Russell & Bromley, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and H Beauty and Tapestry-owned Kate Spade.
The space will feature a wide assortment of Coach merchandise for women and men including bags, small leather goods, footwear, watches, travel accessories, scarves and jewellery. Warm and inviting, the store environment reflects the sophisticated yet playful refinement of New York – the city Coach has always called home.
Nick Peel, Managing Director at St James Quarter, said:“Spring has officially sprung and to celebrate, we’re welcoming Coach to the St James Quarter family.
“This addition continues to show how we are bringing together a diverse range of retail, leisure and food & beverage brands that provide a little something for everyone to enjoy.
“The next few months are extremely exciting for us as we gear up for even more openings – watch this space!”
This letting follows St James Quarter announcing its signing of BOSS at the start of the year. The game-changing mixed-use development completes the distinctive offer of Edinburgh with over 80 new brands, an enticing mix of restaurants and bars, W Edinburgh, a boutique Everyman Cinema, a Roomzzz Aparthotel, and an enviable events programme in a range of new and attractive public spaces.
St James Quarter is giving all glam squads the weekend off as it gears up to host its first ever Love Beauty event from 10th to 13th February.
A one-off event you don’t want to miss, beauty Kings and Queens are invited down to St James Quarter to explore a range of inspiring makeup, skincare and fragrance workshops and consultations. Attendees will also have the opportunity to make the most of some exclusive Love Beauty discounts running across the whole weekend.
And it doesn’t stop there, Jamie Genevieve, expert makeup artist and founder of VIEVE, will be making an appearance as she hosts a one-off event on Saturday 12th February in partnership with HBeauty.
Jamie will reveal some of her most sacred top tips and showcase her makeup brand in an exclusive interview before answering any burning beauty questions the audience might have.
A number of St James Quarter’s top brands will be involved in the beauty inspired events over the course of the weekend including VIEVE at H beauty, Dior at John Lewis & Partners and MAC Cosmetics at Boots, as well as many more.
Kicking off from 9am each day, attendees can brush up on their skills with beauty demonstrations at & Other Stories, fill their bags with free samples from Clinique and Bobbi Brown counters in John Lewis & Partners and be the first to enjoy a brand new No7 product launch at Boots.
L’Occitane will also be debuting its very first ‘L’Occi Truck’. Showcasing beauty on the go, the four wheeled drive will be parked up in the main Galleria, near Register Square, and will be filled with everyone’s favourite beauty and skincare products.
Visitors can also take part in a variety of activities at St James Quarter’s SOOK space – an area designated to allow brands to create engaging and exciting offerings and connect with their customers on a more intimate level. From HydraFacial within Cavendish Clinic at John Lewis, hair demos with GHD to makeup tips from MAC Cosmetics at Boots, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Gill Moore, Retail Director at St James Quarter, said: “What an event we have lined up. Love Beauty is a chance for everyone to come together and enjoy all our skincare, make-up and fragrance specialists we have within The Quarter.
“There will be a number of brands hosting exclusive events over the weekend including VIEVE in partnership with H beauty, Dior in John Lewis & Partners and MAC Cosmetics in Boots.
“Attendees can take this opportunity to really flaunt their own style, learn some new beauty tips and take advantage of all the fabulous deals and giveaways available over the weekend.
“We’re also extremely excited to be welcoming make-up icon, Jamie Genivieve, next Saturday to learn more about how she founded her successful makeup line, VIEVE.”
Activities will be taking place throughout The Quarter across the whole weekend. Keep up to date with the latest info via our Instagram page by following @StJamesQuarter
BOSS will take 5,400 sq ft at St James Quarter, as the lifestyle district continues to ramp up its high-end fashion offering
This latest signing follows the recent arrival of women’s fashion brand, REISS
Edinburgh St James is a 1.7 million sq ft city centre development and one of the biggest regeneration projects currently underway in the UK. On completion, Edinburgh St James will provide the Scottish capital with up to 850,000 sq ft of prime retail space, five star hotel accommodation and will deliver up to 250 new private residential apartments. This will create a vibrant and exciting place to live, visit and shop in the heart of Edinburgh. Architect: BDP and Allan Murry Architects. Developer: Nuveen Real Estate. main contractor Laing O’Rourke
St James Quarter welcomes luxury fashion brand BOSS to its line-up of high-end brands. The world-famous BOSS brand will take its place at St James Quarter alongside the likes of REISS, Kooples, Aesop, Russell & Bromley, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and the recently opened H Beauty.
HUGO BOSS is one of the largest German fashion companies and produces luxury clothing, accessories, footwear and fragrances. The BOSS brand is set to occupy 5,400 sq ft of space on level three.
The latest letting expands the fashion offering at St James Quarter. BOSS will join the impressive list of names including & Other Stories, Mango, Zara, Bershka, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, Next, H&M, JD Sports, John Lewis and many more. It also follows on from the recent announcement of Duck & Waffle.
Nick Peel, Managing Director at St James Quarter, said:“BOSS is a brand we’ve had our eye on for a while and think they will be a great addition to St James Quarter in 2022. We continue to bring together a diverse range of retail, leisure and food & beverage brands with broad appeal but which are far from ubiquitous and BOSS fits superbly into the St James Quarter line up.”
Complementing an unrivalled shopping offer, St James Quarter is a premier food and drink destination in the heart of the Scottish capital. It provides a truly diverse offer – from fast, fresh food, to family and restaurant dining, including Bonnie & Wild as the anchor for the development’s new concept food hall alongside Five Guys, Wingstop, Thai Express, Pho, Maki & Ramen and The Alchemist.
