Saturday, 14 December
10:00 – 18:00 Tickets £3.00 under 12s free
Shop small and shop local in our authentic twist on the traditional Christmas market with a huge selection of products from illustration to vintage bric-a-brac, plants to jewellery, sustainable products to food, ceramics to candles and so much more!
SCOTTISH BUSINESS OWNER SPEAKS OUT ABOUT THE TRAGIC STATE OF POVERTY IN SCOTLAND: “CHILDREN ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL SPEND CHRISTMAS DAY WITHOUT A HOT MEAL, GIFT OR SAFE PLACE TO CALL HOME – WE NEED YOUR HELP TO BREAK THIS CYCLE OF HOMELESSNESS”
Founder of Scottish business, itison, Oli Norman, has spoken out about the ‘devastating’ level of poverty in Scotland this festive season. To tackle this, the company has once again launched its £5 Christmas appeal in a bid to raise thousands for people who are vulnerable and homeless this winter, in partnership with Social Bite.
The annual initiative, which allows generous Scots to buy a person, family, or child who is homeless or vulnerable a hot Christmas meal or gift for just £5, comes amidst news that more children in Scotland will be homeless and hungry this Christmas than ever before.
Over the last decade, the itison £5 Christmas Appeal campaign has raised more than £3 million, with 700,000 donations made, meaning hundreds of people each year are able to enjoy a hot meal or a gift on Christmas Day at one of Social Bite’s coffee shops. Every year, the number of people accepting these meals increases, with more and more people visiting Social Bite on Christmas Day to enjoy good company, warmth, and a hearty meal.
Social Bite and itison have surveyed the drastically declining rate of security for vulnerable people across Scotland since last year and work closely with people who receive support from Social Bite’s services to hear their stories.
Two regular attendees of the festive meals are father and son Jim and Billy. The pair have attended the Social Bite Christmas meals, in partnership with itison, for over five years. The meals mean so much to them that in past years, Jim and Billy have walked from as far as Rutherglen in to Glasgow to have their festive celebrations with the charity.
Billy said: “Every year that we’ve been has been brilliant. There’s no public transport on Christmas Day, so for a few years we walked in until my dad got a bit older.
“They welcome you in, you get a nice meal. It’s turkey, potatoes, you get your dessert. It’s good portions. Not too big, but it’s not too wee. And the gifts you get are unbelievable.”
Jim added: “Last year we got a charger for our phone, a pair of slippers, sweeties. Hats, scarves, gloves, a thermal to keep you warm when you’re outside. For a lot of people who are otherwise by themselves, who don’t get anything, they’re over the moon.”
Over the years they’ve got to know some familiar faces. But it’s the ones who don’t return – reflecting the instability and dangers of homelessness – that stick most with Jim and Billy.
Jim commented: “The thing that’s quite sad is you see a lot of people and then you don’t see them, because of their situations. You get to know people, and then you’re told ‘they’re no longer here.’
“It’s the young ones. One minute you see them, and the next year they’re not here.”
It was revealed earlier this year that the increase in homelessness in Scotland poses a ‘serious risk’ to life as a lack of accommodation is leaving people without somewhere safe to call home, forcing them to endure freezing temperatures and extreme weather conditions.
Oli Norman, owner of itison, said: “It’s 2024, and people are still going hungry, still without a decent home, still living on the streets, and still at serious risk because there is not enough accommodation for people who need it. The cost of living is still increasing, pushing more people into devastating poverty.
“There is simply not enough support for people who are, or are at risk of becoming, vulnerable and homeless. Families and children across the country will be spending Christmas Day without a hot meal, gift or safe place to call home – more must be done.
“We hope that once again our £5 voucher can bring some comfort to people who need it this festive season. We are urging people to please go online and buy a voucher for the same price as a coffee or a meal deal – we need your help to break this cycle of homelessness. Let’s act now.”
Social Bite founder Josh Littlejohn MBE said: “Social Bite is experiencing unprecedented rise in demand from people who are homeless across the country due to the national housing emergency and the increasing cost of living.
“The itison £5 Christmas appeal is a simple way for people to get involved and help bring some joy to people and families who are homeless and need it most this winter.
“For many people across the country, Christmas Day can be extremely challenging, but with the itison £5 voucher, you can give someone the chance to have a hot meal and enjoy some good company on what should be the most joyful day of the year.
“This year, you also can make a child’s day with a Christmas gift for £5. Thank you to the amazing Scottish public for your continued support this Christmas.”
The £5 vouchers are available now at itison.com.
In addition to the itison £5 Christmas Appeal, donations and gifts can be made to Social Bite’s Festival of Kindness online or at one of the Trees of Kindness located throughout the UK.
For a full list of essential items needed, and to make a donation online, visit: social-bite.co.uk/festival-of-kindness/.
The Pitt officially reopened its doors on the Granton Promenade, welcoming over 2,000 visitors in its first weekend.
Edinburgh’s newest community, enterprise and social hub, The Pitt is more than twice the size of its previous location on Pitt Street.
Featuring a permanent global street food market, retail units, a large and heated indoor seating plaza, family and community spaces, two permanent saunas from Soul Water Sauna and a 700 capacity events space all from a spectacular location on the Firth of Forth.
Hal Prescott, Chief Executive of the Granton Project which owns and operates The Pitt said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be open, and despite the storm attempting to throw a spanner in the works we’ve had thousands of people through the doors with initial feedback being fantastic.
“But this is very much the beginning of the journey for us, The Pitt isn’t a static space it will continue evolve with the community we’re part of and the community we build.
“We have so much more to come in the new year, so watch this space.”
Resident foodies will be:
Choola: Nepalese street food with a Scottish twist
Fire Bowl: East Asian style street food
Buffalo Truck: Delicious fried chicken with all the added delights
Social Bite Does dessert: amazing sweet treats and lots of custard
Lazeez: Authentic Lebanese delights (fully halal) and shish
Pulp Friction: Seasonal fresh fruit infused drinks, from mulled sangrias to frozen margaritas
Barney’s and Newbarns: supplying the best locally brewed beers
Serving up Williams and Johnson coffee, savoury and sweets will be Long Shot Coffee.
The Pitt also has two saunas from Soul Water Sauna, a weekly local produce market from Granton Community Garden, community and family areas, a co-working space and one of the best views in Edinburgh across the Firth of Forth.
Hello Pitt Peeps!
It’s less than two weeks until we’re officially fully open so make sure that date’s in your diary – Friday, 6th December – and be one of the first down to Granton to check us out. And if you’ve been wondering who’s going to be quenching your thirst and filling your belly, our official Resident foodies will be:
Choola: Nepalese street food with a Scottish twist
Fire Bowl: East Asian style street food
Buffalo Truck: Delicious fried chicken with all the added delights
Social Bite Does dessert: amazing sweet treats and lots of custard
Lazeez: Authentic Lebanese delights (fully halal) and shish
Pulp Friction: Seasonal fresh fruit infused drinks, from mulled sangrias to frozen margaritas
Barney’s and Newbarns: supplying the best locally brewed beers
Serving up Williams and Johnson coffee, savoury and sweets will be Long Shot Coffee.
Don’t forget, The Pitt also has two saunas from Soul Water Sauna (booking opening soon), a weekly local produce market from Granton Community Garden, community and family areas, a co-working space and one of the best views in Edinburgh across the Firth of Forth.
December opening hours:
Friday 6th: 5pm-10pm
Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th: 8am-10pm
Then weekly until 29th: Thursday to Sunday: 8am-10pm
Hogmanay, Tuesday 31st: 8am-2am – family friendly entertainment with free entry all day to The Pitt Market. Please note, the Hogmanay Extravaganza is a separate, ticketed event which is suitable for 16+ only.
Entry to The Pitt Market is from the Granton Promenade. The Market will always be free to enter and is family and dog friendly every single day.
Retail / Lifestyle Opportunity
Perfect for anyone who wants to trade and be part of a supporting community of entrepreneurs looking to kick start their business or any pop up ideas.
More info HERE
We can’t wait to see you very soon!
The Pitt team
The Pitt, Edinburgh’s beloved street food haven. is gearing up for a mighty comeback in its new Granton location.
Officially opening on Friday 6 December 2024, the all new Pitt will be a hub for local community and enterprise. Retail and market units as well as spaces dedicated to community groups and families now sit alongside the permanent street food market. Local groups such as Granton Youth, Granton Community Garden and Granton Castle Walled Garden are all already part of the new partnership approach.
This exciting new £500,000+ venture, is led by not-for-profit community interest company Granton Project CIC, and promises to bring economic opportunity to the area. Funding from Firstport and Foundation Scotland enabled the transformation of the 15,000 sq ft space, as well as a successful crowdfunding campaign further supporting the development.
Located on West Shore Road, the all new Pitt occupies a formerly empty warehouse, offering unobstructed views from the Granton promenade over the Firth of Forth. The venue which is more than twice the size of its previous location will initially be open Thursday to Sunday from 8am-10pm.
Hal Prescott, Chief Executive of The Pitt said “The Pitt, Granton has been two years in the making so I could not be more delighted to be announcing our official opening date.
“The new Pitt has all the core ingredients from the original Pitt but is supercharged with a significant event space, family areas, a coworking space, two permanent saunas and of course this fantastic location on the Granton prom.
“We’re a very small team working to make a big difference to north Edinburgh and the support we’ve had financially and as advisors from Firstport and Foundation Scotland has been invaluable to us, The Pitt simply wouldn’t be reopening without them.”
Ali Kennedy, Social Investment Executive with Foundation Scotland, said “This project will have a massive impact on the local surrounding communities, and the ambition of Hal and the Granton Project CIC team is to be commended.
“We’re very impressed by all the activity and collaborations emerging to date, and are confident that our investment will support even more impact, more local aspiration, and the creation of even more pathways into the hospitality sector.
“Our blend of grant and loan investment offers flexibility for innovative projects like this, and we know that the team will deliver a unique and thriving community project for Granton and beyond.”
Daisy Ford-Downes, Head of Group Investment Programmes at Firstport, said: “Hal and his team have been working tirelessly to get to this point, so we are delighted that The Pitt is finally ready to open its doors to customers.
“The Catalyst Fund, with its patient and flexible repayment model, was designed to support projects just like this- innovative, ambitious, collaborative, and with the potential to make a positive impact in the community.
“The Pitt in Granton, with a brand new venue, amazing trader line up and strong partnerships, is well placed to become not just a foodie’s destination, but also a thriving hub for enterprise development and community action.”
Andrew Barnett from Barney’s said: “We’ve been a trading partner with The Pitt since its original opening in December 2015, and always found it a great place to introduce people to new beers and collaborate with other food and drink producers.
“We at Barney’s Beer are all excited to re-start that trading relationship and be part of the new bigger, better Pitt at the Granton shore.”
The Pitt will feature a mix of familiar faces from the old Pitt Street location, such as Buffalo Truck and Barney’s Beer, alongside exciting new traders such as Pulp Friction, Choola and Fire Bowl. One notable addition is Social Bite, who will be the exclusive dessert provider.
Hal Prescott emphasized the market’s commitment to the local community and fostering entrepreneurship: “The Pitt Market will always be free to enter, and we are committed to making sure all ticketed events are affordable for all.
“The local community has welcomed us with open arms with many local organisations connecting, collaborating and supporting our development and opening – we look forward to more getting in touch and to the partnerships, businesses and ideas which develop from The Pitt.”
As part of the wider Granton Waterfront regeneration project, The Pitt will become a local hub fostering social cohesion and enterprise in North Edinburgh. The venue opening will mark a significant milestone in the area’s ongoing regeneration.
Our Beach Cleaning event is only few days away …
Great opportunity to start October break and do something for the environment
We will be meeting by a green feather flag at the Brick Beach across the road from the Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden and next to the pitt on Saturday 12/10 at 11 am.
Free picnic after the event.
Thank you to R2 project for their support and all the rubbish pickers they provided to Granton Goes Greener
Leading homelessness charity Social Bite today announced their dessert pop-up as the newest addition to an exciting line up of local food businesses at The Pitt, Granton. The partnership between Social Bite and The Pitt will bring sweet treats to customers.
Social Bite’s first pop-up will celebrate all things custard, with delicious desserts including crumble made with seasonal fruit and a choice of toppings served with hot or cold fresh custard. Social Bite will be a permanent trader and exclusive provider of desserts for visitors to the popular street food market at its new home in Granton.
Whilst Social Bite has a history of coffee shops in Edinburgh city centre, the charity is no stranger to the Granton Waterfront. The Pitt is located opposite Social Bite’s village, which opened in 2018 and has since supported 100 people out of homelessness.
The Pitt, owned and operated by not-for-profit community interest company, Granton Project CIC, is on a mission to create positive change in North Edinburgh and will open year-round this winter.
Mel Swan, Commercial Operations Director at Social Bite, said: “We’re excited to bring the Social Bite brand and our new dessert concept to The Pitt. There’s a lot of synergy between us – as well as our love of good food, we share their ethos of creating a supportive, community environment where people can flourish.
“They’ve welcomed us an established business with a new idea. We chose custard because it’s great hot, cold or frozen, and it works on its own, baked in a dessert, or as a side. We’ve got loads of great ideas that we can’t wait to bring to The Pitt’s devoted foodies, whether you pop along for pudding or want to pay it forward.”
Hal Prescott, Chief Executive of The Pitt, said: “With a number of exciting traders already confirmed, it’s amazing to welcome Social Bite, such a well-established social enterprise, to the project.
“They’ve already made such a huge contribution to end homelessness and we firmly believe that this innovative collaboration will make a significant impact.
“And how exciting to have Britain’s first dedicated custard stall at The Pitt on the shores of Granton!”
TONIGHT and tomorrow we’re open on Pitt Street for the final time ahead of our move to Granton. See what’s on – below!
Friday (Ceilidh only)
6pm Doors open
8pm Tunes from The Radges
Saturday
12pm – 6pm Free entry to food stalls and bar
6pm Doors open for the ceilidh
8pm Tunes from The Dance Bandits
Food and drink from our residents (Spot., Free the Chilli, The Buffalo Truck, Ròst, Barnacles & Bones, Barney’s) and guests (Goodtimes Tacos, The Peruvian, The Funnel Cake Co.) will be served both days!
Also expect to see the familiar face of Wacky Winyl with us.
Halloween costumes are very welcome!
As thanks for subscribing to our newsletter, enjoy 25% off with the code ‘pittpals’. Grab your tickets to the ceilidhs below, or join us Saturday day for food and drink alone!
