The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Tuesday 12 November 2024
The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Tuesday 12 November 2024
H&M job losses, tram consultation, fire engine crash, 'atmosphere of elitism' + councillor warned for saying 'pish'
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s Tuesday’s Edinburgh Minute.
☎️ Fashion retailer H&M has confirmed it will close its Waverley Gate call centre by the end of the year, with 150 jobs losses expected. - BBC Scotland News.
🚦 An urgent road safety report has been commissioned following the death of a man who was hit by a bus being driven in the Cowgate. Councillors will consider an emergency motion the next Transport and Environment Committee on 18 November. - STV News.
🚉 A public consultation on the route for Edinburgh’s proposed new North-South tramline from Granton to the Royal Infirmary and beyond is being planned for spring 2025. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.
💰 National funding problems are causing delays to multiple infrastructure projects across Edinburgh, reports this week’s edi.bike newsletter.
🚓 Speeding driver Ralph Fairhurst, 26, has been jailed for four-and-a-half years after a hit-and-run on Easter Road that killed pedestrian Kyle Middlemas, 20. - Jenness Mitchell, Sky News.
🚒 A fire engine on its way to a callout was involved in a crash with two cars in Gilmerton yesterday afternoon. - STV News.
🗣️ Local SNP councillor Neil Gardiner has been warned for swearing during a debate after accusing his opponent of talking ‘utter pish’. - Local Democracy Reporter Donald Turvill in the Edinburgh Reporter.
🗣️ Local students have spoken out about an ‘atmosphere of elitism’ after yesterday’s news that the University of Edinburgh has warned students from privileged backgrounds not to be ‘snobs’ towards those from working-class backgrounds. Shanley Breese, a law student who founded the Scottish Social Mobility Society, told BBC Scotland News: "My accent has changed so much since starting at uni because I was getting comments if I said a word like 'canny'. They liked to point it out." - Angie Brown, BBC Scotland.
🌸 After 12 years in business, the owners of Rose & Ammi Flowers are closing their Tollcross shop. But they say they’ll continue trading in a new shared studio space nearby.
🏗️ A new £1.2m public park within the Granton Gasholder structure is ‘on track to be finished by the end of the year’, according to a council press release published yesterday.
🛬 A third Premier Inn hotel at Edinburgh Airport is planned on Eastfield Road. - Scott Reid, The Scotsman.
⮑ The airport is seeking feedback from locals on how it plans to manage and mitigate noise caused by aircraft. - Calum Loudon, STV News.
🗳️ The Colinton & Fairmilehead by-election is on Thursday, with the council urging people to vote.
🎤 Singer Robbie Williams has announced a concert at Murrayfield Stadium next May. - The Scottish Rugby site has more details.
🛍️ Thanks to everyone who’s nominated a local business for the shopkeeper / owner of the week. One problem though: most entrants forgot to give a REASON why they nominated. When filling out the short nomination form, you need to give a reason they should be featured on a specific week. For example: They have an event on X-week or they are doing something special that is date-specific. Not just 'oh I love that shop/person', as nice as that is. Thanks to everyone who nominates. - Join in here.
📵 Telecoms firm BT has launched another bid to install large advertising screens on pavements across Edinburgh, despite the council rejecting over 30 attempts in the last six years. - Local Democracy Reporter Donald Turvill in Edinburgh Live.
🧽 Portobello resident Colin Cornwall is being celebrated for tackling the ‘never-ending job’ of painting over graffiti. - Nicholas Malizia, Edinburgh Live.
📲 If you’re among the people quitting Twitter, the Edinburgh Minute is on Bluesky, Instagram, Mastodon (also here), Threads. You can also get it on WhatsApp via a community group which sends you a notification of each post, or the WhatsApp channel, which is a quieter way to check in / catch up when suits you. Or just keep getting the emails if you’re happy with email.
📗 Writer Sara Sheridan will be in conversation with Anne Lyden, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland, on Thursday at the Portrait Gallery. Sara will read excerpts from her latest novel, ‘The Secrets of Blythswood Square’, which drew inspiration from early Scottish photography in the NGS collection. - More details and tickets are here.
⭐️ You can get free access to all of the Minute’s extra content and archive when you successfully refer three people. Find your unique URL here and see the leaderboard.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
⮑ Get in touch using this form.
📌 “Edinburgh Commuters—We Want to Hear from You! We're studying how Edinburgh’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) impacts travel choices & wellbeing. Take our quick survey here.” - Thanks to Institute of Occupational Medicine for sharing this.
📌 “Hello, I'm fundraising for Movember - men's mental health and suicide prevention this month. As a part of my fundraiser I'll be hiking Arthur's Seat 60 times in 3 days to mark the 60 men's lives lost to suicide every hour, globally. I'll be starting the hikes on Friday the 15th at 6am, and project to walk for 10-12hrs a day, completing it on Sunday evening.” - Thanks to Maciej Manikowski for getting in touch with this. You can back him here and get in touch to join him on a hike here.
📌 “COMING SOON... Gayle’s Guide 🎄 TO CHRISTMAS: a carefully curated collection of fun and festivities - for Edinburgh families, by Edinburgh families. Generic event lists are overwhelming so I’m consulting the best source out there: the locals. Email your favourite festive frolics to gaylesguide@substack.com and get a month's free paid access!✨” - Thanks to Gayle from Gayle's Guide for sharing this.
📌 “Let's get together to have a drink, chat all things newsletter, and create a community between female Substack writers in and around Edinburgh. And since it's starting to get really cold and we like sustainability around here, why not an activity to break the ice? (pun not intended) Bring up to 3 jumpers you no longer use for our fun jumper swap! Refresh your wardrobe while connecting with fellow creatives. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting, everyone is welcome. Come share your story, find inspiration, and discover new friends in this supportive community. Don't forget to RSVP!” - Thanks to
, writer of the newsletter Sad Little Life, for sharing this.📌 “This year's Stockbridge Creative Colonies event is taking place this Sunday 17 November, 12 - 4pm. Buy direct from creative Stockbridge Colonies residents in their own homes and gardens (Bell Place to Reid Terrace EH3, look for the doors decorated with red balloons). Please bring cash, thanks!” - Thanks to Alexandra Snowdon, Stockbridge Colonies, for sharing this.
📌 “🌸 Just a few spots left for our Women’s Healing Art Circle on November 14th! Join us for an evening of creative expression and meaningful connection in a safe, welcoming space. All materials are provided, so all you need to bring is yourself—reserve your donation-based spot today! 🌸” - Thanks to Gabriella for this.
📌 “This week Out of the Blue Drill Hall hosts a new group exhibition. My Body Whose Choice is an exploration of female autonomy and safety through art. Organised and curated by Hello Art, the free exhibition is open 10-5 daily with a closing event on Saturday from 10-2.” - Thanks to artist Solen for sharing this.
📮 Something missing? Share your local news and events here.
📈 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
⏰ Thank you for reading daily edition number 497. This newsletter remains independent, ad-free and free to 16,300+ free subscribers, sending 555,600+ visits to other local news sources since launch. The Minute is written between 5am and 7am every day and it wouldn’t exist without paying subscribers. Your support keeps this newsletter going. Thank you!
I’m working class and went to Edinburgh Uni. When I got there, I was instantly aware that some of my peers were from extremely privileged backgrounds - but I never entertained the idea of feeling inferior. If someone judged me for going to state school or for my accent, that would be their issue, not mine. My mentality was: can I compete with these students on an academic level despite their obvious advantages? When it became apparent that I could, that gave me belief and strength.
This guidance from Edinburgh Uni about “not being a snob” towards working class students is patronising and pathetic. It makes working class students look weak and inferior, and is just another example of identity politics - something that Edinburgh Uni seems to be rife with these days.
As for the working class students who are crying about being judged, my advice to them is this is this: stop being a victim and get to work. You can choose to feel judged and victimised, or you can ace your studies and then go out into the world and achieve something. Which you can be proud of, knowing that you didn’t have the starting advantages others did.