Tag: upgrade

£21million contract recommended for approval for retrofit and upgrades at Craigmillar and Peffermill Court

Project forms part of the Council’s wider Strategic Investment Plan for high-rise buildings and will bring both blocks up to modern standards

 Thurday’s meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee recommended the approval of a £21 million contract to Kier Construction to deliver a comprehensive retrofit and upgrade programme at Craigmillar Court and Peffermill Court, two 15 floor blocks in East Edinburgh.

Built in 1968, the two floor blocks currently have no insulation, making homes difficult and expensive to heat. The retrofit will introduce extensive external wall insulation, dramatically improving thermal performance and helping homes retain heat more effectively. These upgrades are expected to create warmer living spaces and reduce heating costs for residents throughout the year.

To further improve indoor air quality and tackle long-standing issues with damp and mould, each flat will be fitted with a mechanical ventilation and heat recovery (MVHR) system. This will provide a continuous supply of fresh air while retaining heat, supporting healthier and more comfortable homes.

Other improvements include:

  • fire safety enhancements including installation of new fire doors, sprinkler systems in every flat and a dedicated firefighting lift in each block
  • existing bin chutes will be removed and replaced with a new on-site waste strategy
  • security will also be strengthened through the installation of a comprehensive CCTV system, covering all stairwells and common lobby landings
  • almost all mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) services will be replaced where they have reached the end of their life or are difficult to maintain
  • larger, brighter entrance lobbies, increased natural light and new canopies to provide shelter from the weather. Concierge facilities will be significantly upgraded
  • new and improved shared spaces will encourage interaction between residents and support activities with the wider community, making better use of previously underutilised areas within the buildings.

The surrounding environment will also be transformed, with:

  • additional tree planting
  • relocated and expanded allotments
  • a renovated and improved play park
  • realigned parking and improved access between both blocks
  • new waste and recycling facilities

Craigmillar Court and Peffermill Court each contain 57 two-bedroom homes.

This major investment represents a long-term commitment to improving living conditions, reducing carbon emissions, enhancing safety and creating more welcoming, sustainable communities for current and future residents.

Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Cllr Tim Pogson, said: This £21 million investment represents a major step forward in improving the quality, safety and sustainability of our high-rise homes.

“By upgrading insulation, ventilation, fire safety and communal spaces, this project will deliver warmer, healthier and more affordable homes for residents, while also ensuring these buildings are fit for the future.”

Kitchen upgrade for Pilton Retreat thanks to rugby charity Wooden Spoon

We would like to thank the Wooden Spoon Charity for their very generous funding towards the upgrade of our kitchen at Pilton Retreat in Ratho (writes LESLEY ROSS).

The kitchen has been well used over the years and was dated and in need of repair. This funding has transformed the kitchen.

It was officially opened on Friday by Roger Baird, former Scotland International rugby player.

What a great afternoon it was meeting members of the Wooden Spoon, talking about the work of MYDG and all the groups that visit and stay at Pilton Retreat.

It was a chance to showcase the facility and talk about the importance of the centre for children, young people and their families in particular those from the North Edinburgh area.

We spoke about the history of Pilton Retreat and we hope this afternoon has raised the profile of the centre – we have grown our contacts and partnership opportunities and the chance of more funding in the future from a range of sources.

What a great afternoon it was !!!.   

Lesley Ross (Manager Pilton Retreat)

Musselburgh Racecourse weighs in with £240,000 investment

New Weigh room at Musselburgh 13th April 2025 Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723

Musselburgh Racecourse has invested £240,000 to upgrade its jockey’s weighing room into one of the most modern in UK racing.

A weighing room is regarded as one of the most important areas on a racecourse and is best known as the place where jockeys prepare for competition and relax between races but also acts as the hub of operations for raceday officials, valets, racecourse teams and medical staff.

The sports governing body, the British Horseracing Authority, is supporting a £40 million-plus project to modernise all 60 UK racecourses and Musselburgh is the latest to comply with measures to enhance the raceday experience of elite jockeys.

The upgrade provides the jockeys who compete at Musselburgh each year with first-class changing and shower facilities, a larger warm-up room and physio facilities alongside an improved canteen area.

New Weigh room at Musselburgh 13th April 2025 Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723

Musselburgh Racecourse director, Bill Farnsworth, said: “We are grateful for the support of Chester Race Company who have made this significant investment to transform our weighing room into one of the most modern in the country.

“It was not without its challenges in agreeing a design within a limited footprint, but the feedback from jockeys and officials has been overwhelming positive and we are pleased with the result.”

Professional Jockeys Association Racing Director, Dale Gibson, added: “On behalf of our members under both codes, we applaud the team at Musselburgh who have facilitated an impressive upgrade, providing equal facilities and services for both sexes.

“The venue upgrade includes an improved rest area, gender-neutral valet room, modernised changing rooms and dedicated warm up area. 

“The updated facilities were very well received by our jumps members recently so a big thank you to Musselburgh and the team is very much in order.”

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.” 

SP Energy Networks to upgrade network infrastructure in Newbridge this weekend

Engineers from SP Energy Networks will be working through the night this weekend to install new electricity poles across the M8 to ensure a safe and resilient electricity supply for customers in the Newbridge area.

The vital poles going across the M8 near Newbridge will replace the ones currently in position that are beginning to degrade in places. The works will take place overnight this Saturday (12 June) from 10pm until 7am on Sunday (13 June) just near Birdsmill.

While the works are undertaken, the stretch of the M8 between Junction 2 and 3 will be closed in both eastbound and westbound directions. A signposted diversion will be in place via the A89 and A899.

Ross Galbraith, District Manager for Central and Fife at SP Energy Networks, said: “Overhead power lines and poles are vital to our network and by replacing them we can ensure a continued safe and reliable supply of electricity to thousands of customers across Newbridge.

“We’ll be working through the night this weekend to keep disruption to a minimum but we would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience our repair works cause and thank motorway users for their patience as we carry out the necessary replacement work.

“We will be working as safely and quickly as possible to carry out the repairs and traffic management measures will be in place to ensure journeys are impacted as little as possible.”

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