The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Tuesday 8 October 2024
Summerhall in tax dispute, Bross Bagels updates, Merchiston drugs haul, new student flats for Jock’s Lodge and Dalry + more new Leith bike lanes
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. It’s a busy one, so let’s get straight into it! Here’s Tuesday’s Edinburgh Minute.
🎭 The company which manages Summerhall has been issued a 'winding-up petition' from HMRC, claiming the arts organisation owes unpaid corporation tax. Summerhall is disputing the claim, but its programme of events is disrupted. - Jamie Dunn, The Skinny.
⮑ Summerhall Management Ltd director Robert McDowell claims HMRC has made an error, writing on social media: “We believe there is no corporation tax due to HMRC and have been working with professional advisors to address and resolve matters.”
⮑ While many are speaking up in support of the venue, some in the creative industry said they are impacted too. Playwright Laura Clare Horton said: “Sending solidarity to everyone affected by this. I have over 15k frozen in Summerhall's bank account & have no idea when & if I might get it back. I feel sick to my stomach. I'm sure many people are in the same boat.”
⮑ On this topic, McDowell added: “The team are already in communication with those we work with who may be affected by this action, but we intend to trade as best we can, and in line with what is permissible, whilst we defend this action.”
⮑ Others impacted include organisers of the Push The Boat Out poetry festival. They put their launch plans on ice at the end of last week having learned of the situation. They said:
“News of this development emerged just two days before we were due to launch Push the Boat Out, Edinburgh’s International Poetry Festival, which has 130 artists booked to appear as part of 54 events from 22-24 November This had an immediate impact on our ability to sell tickets though Summerhall, while also raising questions about the venue. We took the difficult decision to delay announcing the programme and putting tickets on sale while we establish more clarity and investigate potential solutions. As a small charity, this is a hugely challenging development and we are deeply concerned about what it means for our festival, the artists involved, our partners and audiences. We are working hard to ensure that the festival can go ahead, either at Summerhall or in an alternative venue and we will share our plans as soon as possible.”
⮑ More on this in tomorrow’s Edinburgh Culture Minute, which you can get by upgrading your subscription.
🥯 An update was also published yesterday on liquidators’ efforts to claw back significant debts owed by the failed Bross Bagels business. The liquidator says around £635,000 is still owed to HMRC and recovery is 'unlikely'. They have also sent a confidential report on the conduct of the firm’s two directors to the government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. - Alistair McAlinden of Interpath Advisory published this Joint Liquidators’ Progress Report, saying: "We are continuing to pursue this matter and are also exploring our other options to recover this debt."
⮑ It’s more than a year since The Edinburgh Minute & The Edinburgh Reporter uncovered the bagel company’s debts of over £1m.
🚔 A tip-off from a member of the public led police to find £13,000 worth of drugs at a Merchiston Avenue home. A man appeared in court yesterday in connection with the supply of drugs. - Fergus Matheson, STV News.
🏗️ Proposals have emerged for the demolition of the Jock’s Lodge sports bar and pool hall as part of a bid to further increase the number of student flats. - Donald Turvill, Local Democracy Reporter, in Edinburgh Live.
🎨 Plans for new student flats in the former West Park Place Artists' Studios in Dalry are expected to be published soon, according to local councillor Ross McKenzie.
🚴♀️ New visuals of planned new cycleways in Leith have been published. They include the Foot of the Walk to Ocean Terminal and ‘Hawthornvale to Seafield projects. - These updates and more in this week’s edi.bike newsletter.
🏀 The search is on for new names to add to the Wall of Honour at Meadowbank Sports Centre. Nominations are open now. - Ian Swanson has more details in the Evening News.
🗞️ Here’s tomorrow’s front page of The Student newspaper:
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
⮑ Get in touch using this form.
📌 “The Edinburgh Writers' Forum has a temporary venue for tonight's event, the brand-new Edinburgh Bookshop, 176 Bruntsfield Place. Join us to hear award-winning author Carys Davies discuss the impact of prizes on her work. A ticket includes a drink and the usual writerly chat and networking - and the bliss of being in a bookshop after hours (we've already asked, they won't let us stay over).” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 “After a preview class last week, Edinburgh Quadrille Society begin fortnightly classes in Baroque Contredanse at the French Institute on Tuesday 8th October, 7pm to 9pm. Classes in Regency Quadrilles are on alternate Tuesdays, starting Tuesday 15th October.Price per course: £60 general admission (£55 for EQS or French Institute members). More information on our Facebook page.” - Thanks to the event organisers for this.
📌 “The Corstorphine Business Community are holding a FREE networking event for small businesses in the local area. Join us at Centurion Lounge Bar at 5:30pm on Wednesday 9th October, for an opportunity to meet fellow small business owners. Please RSVP here.” - Thanks to Ailsa Montgomery, Neilsons Solicitors and Estate Agents and Secretary of Corstorphine Business Community, for sharing this.
📌 “Edinburgh’s folk and roots community choir Castle Chorus and celebrated women shanty singers She Shanties come together for a concert of sea songs for all at Leith Arches. £10/£7 +booking fee via Citizen Ticket in advance or £13/£8 on the door.” - Thanks to Castle Chorus for sharing this.
📌 “Holiday markets!!! Treen Christmas Market | Launching Fri Nov 1 | 2-4 St Stephen Pl, Edinburgh EH3 5AJ. Sustainable clothing boutique Treen will host a holiday market in their stunning store on St Stephen's with special indie brands, clothing care, beautiful gift wrapping, and a charity element. The launch will be on Nov 1 and it will continue throughout November and December.
Style Your Spaces Holiday Pop-Up | Launching first weekend of December | 6A Howe Street. The pop-up will take place in the former Style Your Spaces storefront (now vintage furniture shop 6a Howe Street) with SYS's carefully curated collection of independent homeware brands just in time for the holidays.”
⮑ Thanks to subscriber Sarah Wood Gonzàlez for sharing these.
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If it looks like shit, smells like shit, it is shit. It's outrageous that the conduct of Sarah Bross re Bross bagels and subsequent companies has been allowed to happen and continues to happen with zero consequences. Reading the liquidators report; property, stock and IP of Bross bagels were 'sold' to Hot mamas Bagels ltd for £18k before Bross bagels folded. Liquidators said £18k was way too little. Then HMB folded. HMB never paid the £18k invoice. Both of these companies owned by Lara Bross. I wonder who HMB sold their assets too? It's just disgusting conduct, and she should be imprisoned for tax evasion, and not allowed to be a director any longer. Shame.