Latest news with #Leithers
Edinburgh Live
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Historic Edinburgh landmark transformed as artist captures 'decades of memories'
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 An Edinburgh artist has given a historic and much-loved 'landmark' of the city a new lease of life. Paul Meikle, who also works part time in a car garage, took apart the iconic helter skelter that once sat in Montgomery Street Park in Leith. After generations of children enjoyed the slide since it opened in the '70s, it was deemed a health and safety risk and cordoned off in 2022. Not willing to let that be the death of the slide, Paul took on the task of repurposing the metal slide to create pieces of art. Now, the pieces will be displayed in an exhibition. Paul said: "People grew up with this helter skelter. My hope is that this is the helter skelter growing up with them." (Image: Sam McGill) The ornate slide is said to have become an 'integral part' of the community, and as Paul found out - many Leithers had either played, drawn... or peed on it. After its fate was decided, Paul dismantled the slide and created 15 different artworks. It was set to be scrapped, alongside 'decades worth of memories'. Paul, whose work focuses on decaying environments, saw an opportunity and now hopes the stories 'live on forever'. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox He carried out interviews with residents in hopes of ensuring the pieces represented the local spirit, and the stories that came with it. Paul continued: "Play parks shape our existence as we grow up. "Leithers have told me of the creative ways they used the helter skelter over the decades, creating different obstacles and reimagining it as completely different worlds. Each of them viewing it through a different lens. (Image: Sam McGill) "An enchanting place you used to play with your dad. Somewhere you'd go with your pals, trying to wrap the swings around the top bar for hours on end. "A chute that quite a few people have peed down, for some reason I couldn't see these stories go in the bin." Speaking to us previously, Paul added: "I was really surprised at just how many people reached out to me. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. "One person told me they remembered going down the slide in roller skates. They said they quickly regretted that decision! Another person told me they were so quick to go down it but then halfway down they realised it was covered in seagull poo. "So many people reminisce about the slide, it means so much to them." The artworks will go on display at Sett Studios in Leith over the weekend of May 30. This is Paul's first solo show, with the works also set to be shown at the Hidden Door festival in June.
Edinburgh Reporter
12-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Securing the future of Leith Custom House
Custom House in Leith has a secure future thanks to a partnership between Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT) and Leith Civic Trust. The proposal is to create a town square for the 21st Century, a community space with Scotland's first fully digital museum, all intended to celebrate Leith's unique culture and heritage. SHBT will now adopt the Leith Civic Trust as the future operator of the museum, marking a new chapter for the trust which has worked for the last two decades and more to champion Leith's history. The cooperation will mean that SHBT will offer support to the trust in growing its membership and recruiting new trustees. An event was held on Friday when the new partnership was celebrated, and other organisations invited to join in the fundraising and development phase. Cllr Jane Meagher, Leader of The City of Edinburgh Council said: 'The City of Edinburgh Council is delighted to support Leith Custom House which will benefit both the local community and Leith's economy as a major destination in its own right. 'When we bought this building with the city's Common Good Fund over a decade ago, we could not have hoped for such an exciting concept as is being proposed. There's widespread enthusiasm for the project, which would bring pride to the local area and an important new visitor attraction on the Shore. 'With these new partnerships and the project's strong candidacy to benefit from Edinburgh's Visitor Levy, we feel the time is right to unlock the potential of Leith Custom House.' Maggie Wright, Chair, Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, said: 'We are thrilled to be partnering with Leith Civic Trust to help us realise the long-held community desire for a museum for Leith. The ambition has always been for this museum to be managed by the community through a community-led charitable trust who would ensure that the museum responds to local needs and aspirations, Leith Civic Trust will help us realise this goal together. 'This project has been a long-time in development, but following the agreement last year with Edinburgh Museums & Galleries, we are delighted that the project now has real momentum' Cron Mackay, President, Leith Civic Trust, said: 'Since our foundation in 1968, Leith Civic Trust has been dedicated to preserving and championing the beauty, history and character of Leith. Leith has a wealth of distinctive stories to tell, and we are delighted that the new museum at Custom House will be a space where all Leithers, old and new, can see themselves represented. We look forward to welcoming new Members as we embark on this exciting journey together with SHBT and encourage anyone who may be interested in being involved to get in touch.' All those who would like to be involved are invited to register their interest by signing up on the SHBT website: The Custom House, Leith is the oldest Custom House in Scotland, designed by Robert Reid in a neo-classical style, it was constructed between 1810-12 and had later alterations in 1825 by William Burn. It is a place where people have arrived and departed over the centuries including significant historical figures such as Mary Queen of Scots and George IV. All photos Jason Baxter Media Like this: Like Related
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Edinburgh alcohol shop granted permission to fit seating area after 14-month battle
The Leith Bottle Shop has been granted permission to fit a seating area in their premises. The Licensing Board granted a license following a 14-month battle which saw the owners of the shop sit in front of the board on three occasions. Thirsty Leithers will be able to get a cold pint at a -pop-up' in a few weeks with the owners also planning on installing a cellar in early 2026. READ MORE: East Lothian venue to host Medieval event with live jousting READ MORE: Edinburgh RNLI issues island beauty spot warning as warm weather hits capital Leith Bottle Shop offers a range of locally sourced and unique products including craft beer which is produced in the surrounding neighbourhood. Alex Harriss, owner of Leith Bottle Shop said: 'We're thrilled to have finally been given the go ahead to allow our customers to sit in for a drink as well as offering takeaway. Leith has a fantastic range of craft beer on offer, and we hope we can play just a small part in helping make Leith the place to go for beer lovers in Scotland. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. "We're confident that this change will help financially sustain the business so we can continue to offer a place for people to try the incredible beer coming from Leith. We're so grateful for our loyal customers for supporting us along the way, in particular those who submitted letters of support to the Licensing Board. "We're also thankful for the support offered by Councillor Adam Nols-McVey and Ben Macpherson MSP who supported through this long process – Licensing in Edinburgh certainly isn't easy!' Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox Leith Bottle Shop opened at 30 Great Junction Street in May 2022 and sells over 450 different craft beers, wines and local spirits, with a continually rotating range. Leith has the densest concentration of breweries of anywhere in Scotland with nationally renowned breweries including Newbarns, Pilot and Campervan.
Edinburgh Live
01-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh alcohol shop granted permission to fit seating area after 14-month battle
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 The Leith Bottle Shop has been granted permission to fit a seating area in their premises. The Licensing Board granted a license following a 14-month battle which saw the owners of the shop sit in front of the board on three occasions. Thirsty Leithers will be able to get a cold pint at a -pop-up' in a few weeks with the owners also planning on installing a cellar in early 2026. Leith Bottle Shop offers a range of locally sourced and unique products including craft beer which is produced in the surrounding neighbourhood. Alex Harriss, owner of Leith Bottle Shop said: 'We're thrilled to have finally been given the go ahead to allow our customers to sit in for a drink as well as offering takeaway. Leith has a fantastic range of craft beer on offer, and we hope we can play just a small part in helping make Leith the place to go for beer lovers in Scotland. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. "We're confident that this change will help financially sustain the business so we can continue to offer a place for people to try the incredible beer coming from Leith. We're so grateful for our loyal customers for supporting us along the way, in particular those who submitted letters of support to the Licensing Board. "We're also thankful for the support offered by Councillor Adam Nols-McVey and Ben Macpherson MSP who supported through this long process – Licensing in Edinburgh certainly isn't easy!' Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox Leith Bottle Shop opened at 30 Great Junction Street in May 2022 and sells over 450 different craft beers, wines and local spirits, with a continually rotating range. Leith has the densest concentration of breweries of anywhere in Scotland with nationally renowned breweries including Newbarns, Pilot and Campervan.
