Latest news with #EssentialEdinburgh
Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Council gives retrospective consent for The Famous Spiegeltent
The planning application for the Famous Spiegeltent already constructed in St Andrew Square was heard by the council's planning department on Wednesday morning and approval was retrospectively given. Council officers had recommended it would be granted but the matter was discussed by councillors clearly concerned about tree protection measures and also the lateness of the application which ran 'roughshod' over council process. Consent has been given subject to the condition imposed that 'a tree monitoring report shall be submitted twice a week during the operation of the event to the planning authority, confirming all tree protection measures are installed and maintained on site and that no generator shall be positioned within the root protection areas' by a narrow vote of 6 to 4. The site has been operating since the end of June hosting events in the Jazz and Blues Festival and now during the Fringe despite the lack of consent. It will be open until 12 September 2025 to allow for take down. The committee considered the impact on the local heritage and also a great deal of the discussion focused on the trees. Cllr Mumford looked at the tree protection plan and asked about the oversight by council officers during the build. The planning officer said it was up to Essential Edinburgh as 'owner of the site' to liaise with the company behind the Spiegeltent. Some confusion arose around who owns the square, cleared up by Cllr Mowat who explained that the garden is owned by the 'frontagers' or owners of buildings in the square and then sub -leased by the council to Essential Edinburgh to manage on its behalf. Cllr Joanna Mowat who represents the City Centre said this is not the first time that an applicant has made a late application, but 'things have improved since the days when that used to happen more often'. She asked for some work in the future to ensure that officers are not determining applications as the build is taking place. She said: 'Given the information we have in front of us today I have got to the point where I can support officers' approval of this but can we take this away and ask what conversations do we need to have with ourselves and the festival industries about what happens if things come in very late again.' Cllr Kumar was also concerned about the lateness of the application. She said: 'I'm a bit perplexed by this application, so it was submitted on the 11th of June for construction at the end of June, and construction has now completed without approval. I appreciate the retrospective elements of this, but there is a deficient application, deficient monitoring. It's really concerning that there is almost no regard for due process.' Cllr Tim Pogson agreed with Cllr Mowat that he had sufficient information to approve the consent, but said: 'I think we need to make sure that festival producers take what their responsibilities are in this regard and make sure that they comply with all the regulatory requirements within the law. And I know that's more than just planning, so just I want somehow for this committee, or this council, to send a very strong message to all festival producers through the fringe office, or whoever it is, to say, Look these the deadlines we needed to comply with. Just you know, sort yourselves out and do that.' In the report before the committee it was stated that: 'There are a number of trees within the application site which are within close proximity to the proposed structures. Limited information was submitted at the time of submission, but a Tree Report and Tree Protection information has since been submitted.' The senior planning officer mentioned that the temporary nature of this development and the economic benefit to the city overrode any impact on the listed buildings surrounding the square, or the World Heritage Site more widely, especially as the buildings are of a 'modest scale'. The planning officer showed councillors some photos to illustrate the number of trees and also a diagram showing the proposed root protection areas for each – which they said were adequate although the council's tree officer does still have some concerns – again overridden by the temporary nature of the Fringe event space and the economic benefit to the city. The planning officer admitted that 'Quite a few objections have been raised' and the works were effectively unauthorised. Festival producers UniqueAssembly have denied that this application has anything to do with them. The council officer explained that matters had changed for the better in relation to the trees since the first application: 'The initial proposal showed the bar and dressing room constructed very close and really tight into the root protection areas and very close to the trees. We got these moved outwith such a sensitive area. It is still not great but the proposals were submitted so late in the process that I think we have got to a level where it is acceptable.' Cllr Mowat asked if any monitoring of the trees had been going on while this development has been on site and she asked if the council is aware of what is happening at the moment. The council officer said that she was not aware of any monitoring reports submitted since 30 June. This will have to change now due to the condition on twice weekly monitoring reports applied to the consent. Cllr Ben Parker asked for the consent to be refused completely but this amendment was defeated and the consent approved by 6 votes to 4. Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
It's time for Edinburgh's Christmas…
It may only be June but already the arrangements for Edinburgh's Christmas have been announced. All festivities will begin on 15 November and run until 4 January 2026. Roddy Smith, Chief Executive of Essential Edinburgh said: 'Edinburgh's Christmas is always a highlight of the year within our city centre. The attractions welcome thousands of residents and visitors to enjoy the most magical time of the year. With Edinburgh's city centre home to high class retail and hospitality businesses to suit everyone's tastes, this Christmas promises to be another fantastic time to visit and enjoy the best of Edinburgh.' Unique Assembly, producers of Edinburgh's Christmas said: 'We are thrilled to share this year's dates for Edinburgh's Christmas celebrations, with a seven-week programme packed full of family favourites, plus new events and attractions to be announced. This year's event promises to be one of the best ever and we look forward to welcoming everyone to enjoy some sparkle as the nights close in.' Family favourites which will be back to entertain everyone at the end of the year include Santa Stories , Ice Skating, LNER Big Wheel , Around the World Starflyer and the Family Festive Funfair , , and the Traditional Christmas Markets return to East Princes Street Gardens – organisers open Trader Applications and call for local traders to join the festivities return to East Princes Street Gardens – organisers open Trader Applications and Local EH Resident Discount returns to spread extra Christmas cheer across the city returns to spread extra Christmas cheer across the city Tickets go on sale from July – register now to receive 48hours advance access and discounts. Councillor Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener, said: 'This year Edinburgh's Christmas looks set to light up the city centre once again with an exciting programme of events for everyone to enjoy. I'm really pleased that the Edinburgh community will be a focus too, with discounted tickets, offers for local groups and fund-raising for local charities taking place. The Capital truly is a magical place to be at this time of year and there's so much on offer throughout the city.' Lawrence Thorburn, owner of Edinburgh's Nutcracker Christmas Shop said: 'As local business owners, we are thrilled to see the return of Edinburgh's Christmas Market this winter. We have already submitted an application for what will be our 12th season at the Edinburgh's Christmas Market. As a local, family business, with permanent premises in the city we welcome the opportunity to showcase our products and provide Christmas gifts to such a large audience. Working with Unique Assembly over the past three years, we have seen the Market go from strength to strength and we are keen to return, looking forward to welcoming locals and visitors from around the world. The event has become imperative for our small family business and our team look forward to taking part each year.' Register now to receive updates, be the first to hear when tickets are about to go on sale, and access a limited opening ticket discount by signing up here – © 2023 Martin McAdam Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
13-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Information-sharing initiative launched to tackle city centre crime
An information-sharing scheme between city-centre stores in Edinburgh is underway as part of ongoing work supported by Police Scotland's Retail Crime Taskforce. As a result of funding from Essential Edinburgh, 52 stores on Princes Street, St James Quarter and the surrounding areas have been provided with radios as part of the Shopwatch initiative so that they can use to communicate with other businesses whenever a crime or suspicious activity takes place on their premises. The City of Edinburgh Council CCTV team have also been provided with a radio and will monitor transmissions and follow individuals believed to be involved in retail crime on the city centre's CCTV network. They will then communicate information to Edinburgh officers, including those within the Taskforce, so they can more quickly respond to ongoing incidents. Since Shopwatch began in April, eight people have been reported to the Fiscal, having been arrested following information shared between stores, the CCTV team, and Edinburgh Division officers. Five of these individuals were charged in connection with shoplifting offences, while another was charged for an assault. Superintendent Paul Gillespie, who leads on Acquisitive Crime for Edinburgh, said: 'When the Retail Crime Taskforce was launched earlier this year, it was made clear that all opportunities to work with retailers and key partners would be exploited to actively target those responsible for shoplifting and other retail offences. 'Shopwatch underlines our commitment to collaboration and finding new approaches that better equip businesses to prevent crime happening, while also enhancing our ability to respond when an incident does arise. 'I am grateful to Essential Edinburgh for the financial support they have provided for this scheme and have been extremely encouraged by how readily the businesses involved have embraced the concept of working together with one another, and with ourselves, and the City of Edinburgh Council, to tackle shoplifting. 'We will continue to explore all opportunities, both alongside the Retail Crime Taskforce, and through divisional business to keep addressing shoplifting and bringing those responsible to account.' Grant Stewart, who is Senior Operations Manager for Essential Edinburgh, added: 'We have had a real focus on tackling shoplifting through our successful Check Out system which also sees information sharing about known retail crime in real time. 'This latest scheme adds on to that protection for our members in tackling criminal activity. We are delighted to be partnering our colleagues in Police Scotland and Apex radios on this, and look forward to continuing to build on that, working together.' Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Square Cinema returns to St Andrew Square Garden for a FREE outdoor film festival this June
Enjoy recent blockbusters, family favourites, and cult classic films in the heart of Edinburgh, 13 – 15 June. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, 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... Edinburgh's much-loved free outdoor movie weekend, Square Cinema, returns this June, bringing three days of big-screen entertainment to the heart of the city in one of the UK's biggest free outdoor cinema events. Set in the picturesque surroundings of St Andrew Square Garden, the three-day event is funded by Essential Edinburgh with LNER continuing their headline support. It all kicks off this year on Friday, June 13th, with a packed line-up! Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Family audiences are in for a treat with daytime screenings including Wicked, a Paddington double bill with Paddington 2 and Paddington In Peru, Inside Out 2, The Wild Robot and Moana 2. Square Cinema 2025, Essential Edinburgh Later in the day, the programme shifts to Hollywood blockbusters and cult classics including The Lost Boys, Chicago, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Mrs Doubtfire, Twisters, and Gladiator 2, all shown in a relaxed, picnic-style setting. Don't live locally to Edinburgh? Don't worry, if you enter the Square Cinema competition on-line you can be in with a chance of winning a fantastic luxury weekend-stay in Edinburgh for four! Enjoy 1st class travel and entry to Square Cinema's First Class Lounge provided by partners LNER, a two-night stay in the sumptuous George Hotel just seconds away from St Andrew Square Garden, A £300 gift card for Multrees Walk – Scotland's luxury shopping destination – with a lunch and dinner being provided by Bar+Block Steakhouse Edinburgh and Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill, and entry to The Edinburgh Dungeon to top it off. Emily Campbell Johnston, Senior Manager Marketing & Communications for Essential Edinburgh, said: 'Over 14 years, our outdoor film screenings produced by Unique Events have evolved into one of the largest free outdoor cinema events in the UK – attracting locals and visitors alike to enjoy our wonderful city centre. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We are delighted to continue our partnership with LNER, working together to create happy memories for all, and this year to also offer audio-described screenings. It's a fantastic, free event that truly has something for absolutely everyone – come rain or shine – from daytime family fun to movie-lovers at night. Square Cinema 'Square Cinema is always fabulous fun and offers a wonderful communal film experience. It brings people into the city centre and they can then enjoy all that is on offer, helping drive footfall and provide a welcome boost for local businesses.' Jake Orros, Community Partnerships Manager at LNER, added: 'We are delighted to continue our headline sponsorship of this special outdoor event that brings people into the heart of Edinburgh. In 2025, we're proud to introduce a new community partnership element, further strengthening our commitment to inclusivity and connection.' Entry to Square Cinema remains free and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Concessions available within Square Cinema include drinks from Heineken 0%, food tasters from Dishoom, and sweet treats such as ice cream, popcorn, and confectionery from Alandas. To be as inclusive as possible, all films will be shown with subtitles, and select films will be audio-described. For full entry terms and conditions, or to reserve a headset for audio-described screenings, please visit Square Cinema programme 2025: Friday 13 June: 4:30pm - Moana 2 (2024) – Cert PG (Audio Described Available) 6:30pm - The Meg (2018) – Cert 12 8:35pm - The Lost Boys (1987) – Cert 15 (Audio Described Available) Saturday 14 June: 11am - The Wild Robot (2024) – Cert U Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 1pm - Paddington 2 (2017) – Cert PG (Audio Described Available) 3:15pm - Mrs Doubtfire (1993) – Cert 12A 5:45pm - Chicago (2002) – Cert 12A 8:00pm - Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy (2024) – Cert 15 (Audio Described Available) Sunday 15 June: 11am - Inside Out 2 (2024) – Cert U 12:50pm - Paddington in Peru (2024) – Cert PG 2:50pm - Wicked - Sing-along (2024) – Cert PG (Audio Described Available) 5:45pm - Twisters (2024) – Cert 12 (Audio Described Available) 8:00pm - Gladiator 2 (2024) – Cert 15 *Film titles and times may be subject to change Competition Prize and Entry Details Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Win a luxury weekend in Edinburgh for four people to attend Square Cinema with LNER from 13th to 15th June 2025. For your chance to win 1st class tickets for four to travel to Edinburgh with LNER, a weekend stay in Edinburgh City Centre at Edinburgh The George, a £300 gift card to spend on Multrees Walk, lunch at Bar+Block Steakhouse Edinburgh, dinner at Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill and entry to The Edinburgh Dungeon, simply complete the entry form on the Square Cinema website:
The National
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
'Fabulous' free outdoor cinema returns to Edinburgh
Square Cinema will be hosting screenings of family friendly films, Hollywood blockbusters and cult classics from June 13 until June 15 in St Andrews Square Garden, Edinburgh. The event is completely free but access will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis for the picnic-style screenings, with films on the programme including a Paddington double bill, a Wicked sing-a-long, The Lost Boys and Chicago. READ MORE: Award-winning Indian restaurant takes over at historic pub Emily Campbell Johnston, senior marketing manager for Essential Edinburgh, the firm behind the event, said: 'It's a fantastic, free event that truly has something for absolutely everyone – come rain or shine – from daytime family fun to movie-lovers at night. 'Square Cinema is always fabulous fun and offers a wonderful communal film experience. It brings people into the city centre and they can then enjoy all that is on offer, helping drive footfall and provide a welcome boost for local businesses.' The full programme can be viewed here, with details regarding timings and entry requirements. A range of concessions will be available throughout the weekend, including drinks from Heineken 0%, tasters from award-winning Indian restaurant Dishoom and standard cinema snacks like popcorn, sweets and ice cream. Working in partnership with trainline LNER, Square Cinema will also feature subtitles and select audio-described screenings to make this year's event more accessible. In addition to the film showings, Square Cinema is offering a nation-wide competition to win a weekend-long stay in the capital, with prizes including two nights in The George Hotel, £300 to spend in luxury shopping centre Multrees Walk and entry to the Edinburgh Dungeons.
