The Edinburgh Minute ⏰: Weekend edition 12 - 14 April 2024
New school opening delayed, Morningside crash probe, Meadows cargo bike event, final weekend of the science fest + Nightmarket returns to the Shore
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s Friday’s Edinburgh Minute followed by the weekend guide for paying subscribers.
✏️ A new ‘first of its kind’ primary school building in Maybury will not be ready in time for the new term after summer, with pupils set to spend their first few months in a different school. - Donald Turvill, Local Democracy Reporter, STV News.
⮑ Councillors will vote next week on naming the 630-pupil school ‘Maybury Community Hub’ as it will also include a 128-place nursery, an NHS health centre and GP surgery for up to 10,000 patients. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.
👨⚖️ A fatal accident inquiry into the death of toddler Xander Irvine began yesterday at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. The three-year-old was hit by a 91-year-old driver in Morningside Road in 2020. - STV News.
🍝 Lothian Road’s family-run Bar Italia restaurant will close on 5 May. After more than two decades in business, the Martone family blamed ‘rising stock and utility costs’ and will focus on their other restaurant Ciao Roma. Bar Italia is set to be replaced by fast food chain, Pepe's Piri Piri. - Jacob Farr, Edinburgh Live.
🏗️ An empty 1970s office block on Orchard Brae could be demolished and replaced by a development of housing for 300 students and 65 homes. - Brian Donnelly, The Herald.
🏆 Eight Edinburgh shops picked up awards at the Scottish Independent Retail Awards. - Andrew Smart, The National.
🎭 Critics of Scotland’s short-term let regulations have warned Edinburgh will become a ‘laughing stock’ due to the lack of accommodation for Fringe performers. The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers blamed “bungled policymaking” after celebrities raised concerns about the costs of staying in the capital. - Press Association in the Press and Journal.
🚨 A 59-year-old man is in a ‘critical’ condition in hospital after being his by a van on Trinity Crescent. - Police released this appeal to the public for more information.
🗡️ A ‘massive samurai sword’ was among weapons pulled out of the Union Canal near Sighthill. - Ryan Carroll, Daily Record.
🏗️ Plans for a development of 31 new flats in Lochend will be voted on by councillors next week. - Kris Gourlay, Edinburgh Live.
🔬 An Edinburgh Napier University spinout company has discovered a method of using seaweed waste to produce a biodegradable alternative to chemical plastics. - Packaging Scotland.
“There are very few ‘eureka’ moments in science – but this was one of them.” - Mercel founder Mark Dorris told STV News.
🪑 Scandi lifestyle brand Søstrene Grene is set to open in the Waverley Market shopping centre. - Peter A Walker, Insider.
⮑ The EL&N cafe in the St James centre and Rajas takeaway in Marchmont have closed, reports Katie Williams in Edinburgh Live.
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📌 Sunday, 4pm: Meaningful Afternoon for Mind and Soul: “Chilled afternoon with live music 🎶 Fundraising for Health in Mind charity 💛 Connection and networking 🙌 Join us at Slow Progress Records & Coffee (Blackfriars Street) for an afternoon with meaningful talks about mental health, live music performances, fresh coffee ☕️ and like minded people 🩷🧡” - Kasia Edinburgh College Student and founder of the project Gaia Soul Events.
📌 Baroque Dance Concert: “Step back in time on Saturday 13th April at 7pm at the French Institute on West Parliament Square with a programme of 18th century dance & live music from the court of Louis XIV. Dance and Music will be provided by Autrefois Historical Dance & Music Ensemble with special guest vocalist Héloïse Bernard. Tickets are £15. More information can be found on the Edinburgh Quadrille page on Facebook.”
📌 “Class Act Ukraine in Scotland takes place at the Traverse Theatre this Saturday (13th April). All this week Ukrainian young people living in Scotland have been working with professional playwrights to develop their own plays which will now be brought to the stage by a team of professional directors, actors and musicians to amplify their urgent stories and celebrate the voices of the young people of Ukraine. Come and see the power of storytelling in action!” - Full details here.
📌 “Do you ride bikes in Edinburgh? Are you curious about cargo bikes? Drop in on Cargo Bike Movement's 'Spring Caper' at the Meadows Compass, on Saturday 13th April 10am - 2pm. The charity's cargo bike fleet will be parked up and available for free test rides - and if you bring your own bike, you can take advantage of free mechanical help from Dr Bike, and free bike security marking from Police Scotland. It's open to everyone, no matter what you ride!” - Thanks to the Cargo Bike Movement team for sharing this.
📆 Things to do this weekend:
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