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STV News
23-07-2025
- General
- STV News
Council to spend £1.2m to wind and maintain public clocks
Edinburgh will spend up to £1.2m over the next two years to wind and maintain clocks around the city. Some 27 public clocks are in place around the Capital, with some well-known ones at Haymarket, the end of Cowgate and Morningside. The city is seeking providers to take on the task for the next two years, with responsibilities also including the winding and maintenance of 25 clocks in the City Chambers complex. The contract would also set out terms for future contracts between providers and six other Scottish councils. Labour councillor and Culture and Communities Committee convener Margaret Graham said: 'The city's public clocks are as much part of its heritage and character as the architecture. 'They are sorely missed when in storage as the Tollcross clock is at present. It's essential that we ensure they are well maintained and this contract framework is about achieving that.' It is understood that the contract is not likely to cover the refurbishment and reinstatement of three currently out-of-service clocks. Those clocks, at Portobello Town Hall, Tollcross and Fountainbridge are currently in storage. Edinburgh Council removed the clock at Tollcross in 2022 over 'health and safety concerns'. It came as cracks were discovered at the base of the clock, despite it being 'properly maintained'. And the Portobello clock was taken down from the Baptist church there in 2003 for repairs, but has stayed down for over two decades for a variety of reasons. These include a historic dispute over ownership between the council and the Portobello Baptist Church. Both insisted for years that the clock belonged to the other party, but extensive archival research concluded in 2019 found it belonged to the council. However, since this discovery, the clock has not been restored to its position. As of 2012, the estimated cost for repairs was close to £100,000. The city's clocks are often more than timepieces. The clock at Haymarket serves as part of a war memorial commemorating Hearts players who died in the First World War. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Edinburgh Reporter
23-07-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
£1.2m contract to wind and maintain clocks around Edinburgh
Edinburgh will spend up to £1.2 million over the next two years to wind and maintain clocks around the city. Some 27 public clocks are in place around the Capital, with some well-known ones at Haymarket, the end of Cowgate and Morningside. The city is seeking providers to take on the task for the next two years, with responsibilities also including the winding and maintenance of 25 clocks in the City Chambers complex. The contract would also set out terms for future contracts between providers and six other Scottish councils. Labour councillor and Culture and Communities Committee convener Margaret Graham said: 'The city's public clocks are as much part of its heritage and character as the architecture. 'They are sorely missed when in storage as the Tollcross clock is at present. It's essential that we ensure they are well maintained and this contract framework is about achieving that.' It is understood that the contract is not likely to cover the refurbishment and reinstatement of three currently out-of-service clocks. Those clocks, at Portobello Town Hall, Tollcross and Fountainbridge are currently in storage. Edinburgh Council removed the clock at Tollcross in 2022 over 'health and safety concerns'. It came as cracks were discovered at the base of the clock, despite it being 'properly maintained'. And the Portobello clock was taken down from the Baptist church there in 2003 for repairs, but has stayed down for over two decades for a variety of reasons. These include a historic dispute over ownership between the council and the Portobello Baptist Church. Both insisted for years that the clock belonged to the other party, but extensive archival research concluded in 2019 found it belonged to the council. However, since this discovery, the clock has not been restored to its position. As of 2012, the estimated cost for repairs was close to £100,000. The city's clocks are often more than timepieces. The clock at Haymarket serves as part of a war memorial commemorating Hearts players who died in the first World War. By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Edinburgh council seeks contractors for community events at Ross bandstand
Edinburgh Council is seeking contractors to manage and run a new series of community events at the Ross Bandstand. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Under plans set out in February, two 'large' community events will be run at the bandstand this year, as well as several smaller events put forward by community groups, with some of the smaller events being free. The bandstand will also continue to play a role in the city's winter festivals, where it is used for concerts and other events throughout the city's Christmas celebrations and Hogmanay. The Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad One of the large community events will be targeted at families, while the other will be aimed at young people, with both running for two days. Margaret Graham, Labour councillor and convener of the Culture and Communities Committee, said: 'We want to support a range of events at the Ross bandstand, which will help revitalise Princes Street Gardens and provide entertainment for all those who live in and visit the city. 'It's important that we offer a programme of free events to the residents of Edinburgh and this contract will help us to deliver that.' The city is seeking three contractors, one for each of the large events and one for the community events. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad One contractor each will be tasked with the large events, while the third will handle management for the programme of small community events. A contract notice by the city spells out that the event programme would initially run for two years, but can be extended in the future. According to a council spokesperson, the city is currently looking for initial expressions of interest from contractors, with contracts being put out for application in early autumn. The contracts are part of a wider plan to reform how the bandstand is used, which councillors decided on in February. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The smaller community events are envisioned as being 'low impact', avoiding the large infrastructure many events there currently require. The reform plan was one of the last projects of councillor Val Walker, who convened the Culture and Communities Committee, before she passed away in April. At the time, she said: 'We want to see a new series of performances in place for the Ross Bandstand. These events would be truly free to the residents of Edinburgh.' She envisioned local arts and community groups using a special fund to host events in the space, breaking from the trend of only large festival and music events using the bandstand.
Edinburgh Reporter
11-07-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Council seeks Ross Bandstand events contractors
Edinburgh Council is seeking contractors to manage and run a new series of community events at the Ross Bandstand. Under plans set out in February, two 'large' community events will be run at the bandstand this year, as well as several smaller events put forward by community groups, with some of the smaller events being free. The bandstand will also continue to play a role in the city's winter festivals, where it is used for concerts and other events throughout the city's Christmas celebrations and Hogmanay. One of the large community events will be targeted at families, while the other will be aimed at young people, with both running for two days. Margaret Graham, Labour councillor and convener of the Culture and Communities Committee, said: 'We want to support a range of events at the Ross bandstand, which will help revitalise Princes Street Gardens and provide entertainment for all those who live in and visit the city. 'It's important that we offer a programme of free events to the residents of Edinburgh and this contract will help us to deliver that.' The city is seeking three contractors, one for each of the large events and one for the community events. One contractor each will be tasked with the large events, while the third will handle management for the programme of small community events. A contract notice by the city spells out that the event programme would initially run for two years, but can be extended in the future. According to a council spokesperson, the city is currently looking for initial expressions of interest from contractors, with contracts being put out for application in early autumn. The contracts are part of a wider plan to reform how the bandstand is used, which councillors decided on in February. The smaller community events are envisioned as being 'low impact', avoiding the large infrastructure many events there currently require. The reform plan was one of the last projects of councillor Val Walker, who convened the Culture and Communities Committee, before she passed away in April. At the time, she said: 'We want to see a new series of performances in place for the Ross Bandstand. These events would be truly free to the residents of Edinburgh.' She envisioned local arts and community groups using a special fund to host events in the space, breaking from the trend of only large festival and music events using the bandstand. By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
11-07-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh council looking for Ross Bandstand community event contractor
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Edinburgh Council is seeking contractors to manage and run a new series of community events at the Ross Bandstand. Under plans set out in February, two 'large' community events will be run at the bandstand this year, as well as several smaller events put forward by community groups, with some of the smaller events being free. The bandstand will also continue to play a role in the city's winter festivals, where it is used for concerts and other events throughout the city's Christmas celebrations and Hogmanay. One of the large community events will be targeted at families, while the other will be aimed at young people, with both running for two days. Margaret Graham, Labour councillor and convener of the Culture and Communities Committee, said: 'We want to support a range of events at the Ross bandstand, which will help revitalise Princes Street Gardens and provide entertainment for all those who live in and visit the city. 'It's important that we offer a programme of free events to the residents of Edinburgh and this contract will help us to deliver that.' The city is seeking three contractors, one for each of the large events and one for the community events. One contractor each will be tasked with the large events, while the third will handle management for the programme of small community events. A contract notice by the city spells out that the event programme would initially run for two years, but can be extended in the future. According to a council spokesperson, the city is currently looking for initial expressions of interest from contractors, with contracts being put out for application in early autumn. The contracts are part of a wider plan to reform how the bandstand is used, which councillors decided on in February. The smaller community events are envisioned as being 'low impact', avoiding the large infrastructure many events there currently require. The reform plan was one of the last projects of councillor Val Walker, who convened the Culture and Communities Committee, before she passed away in April. At the time, she said: 'We want to see a new series of performances in place for the Ross Bandstand. These events would be truly free to the residents of Edinburgh.' She envisioned local arts and community groups using a special fund to host events in the space, breaking from the trend of only large festival and music events using the bandstand.
