Latest news with #SimonWatson
The National
13 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Historic Aberdeen church building price slashed after failing to sell
The historic building was formerly the Rosemount Parish Church, but is now named The Father's House, after it was transformed into an event space with a cafe. The C-listed Gothic-style church was renovated to also include meeting rooms, letting rooms, and a function hall which can hold up to 300 people and is described as ideal for weddings, birthdays, and conferences. READ MORE: There is a genuine silver lining in the SNP by-election loss There are also 17 en suite living rooms, with a mix of singles and double beds, spread amongst the two floors as well as a lounge and dining room along with a private carpark at the side of the property. The building also housed the Aberdeen North Foodbank for two years until September 2024 which was run by the Christ Apostolic Church House of Prayer. Situated in Caroline Place, The Father's House is in a well-connected location in the Granite City, but has failed to sell. The Father's House was listed for sale in August 2022, with a guide price of £1.1 million. However, more than two and a half years later, the property remains unsold. A massive £400,000 was then slashed from the price, bringing the guide price to £700,000 and has since been cut once again to £650,000. Simon Watson, business agent at Christie & Co, who is managing the sale, said: 'The business is currently vacant and provides an excellent opportunity for an incoming operator or developer.'
Press and Journal
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Press and Journal
Trapped by Raac: 5000 reasons to keep fighting for Aberdeen homeowners impacted by concrete crisis
We took our Trapped by Raac campaign onto the streets of Aberdeen this weekend – and the hard work paid off. Thanks to a protest involving members of the Torry Community Raac Campaign (TCRC) group, affected families from Balnagask, and team P&J – we've now crossed the 5,000 signature mark on the homeowners' petition. Attended by owner occupiers and former council tenants alike, some members of the group held banners to protest the situation, reminding the public about the burgeoning concrete crisis. Others spoke to shoppers to garner more names on the petition, sharing stories of the 500 households in Aberdeen impacted by Raac. The group was visited by Conservative MSP Liam Kerr, who spent time listening to stories from families caught in this crisis. Labour councillor Simon Watson – who represents Torry and Ferryhill – also stopped by to talk to his constituents. At the same time as the protest, Fiona and Ricky Burgess, whose story we shared this week, proudly took a Raac campaign banner to Hampden for the Aberdeen Celtic Scottish Cup final. Founding member of TCRC Lynn Winstanley is one of 138 homeowners whose houses are marked for demolition. She stands to lose 10s of 1000s from the value of her home if she sells her property back to ACC. She said: 'We can't sit back and relax though 5000 signatures on the petition is amazing. That's only half the names we need to get a reply from Westminster. 'If you haven't already signed, please do. Put yourself in our shoes. You'd want people to get behind you and to help you. That's all we are asking for.' The petition, which calls for justice, fair house prices for homeowners, and an eventual public enquiry, needs to cross 10,000 signatures before the UK Government will, at the very least, reply. In a previous interview with Aberdeen City Council co-leader Christian Allard, he said without Westminister unlocking financial support, Raac [crisis] could become the next Post Office Scandal. We also revealed that only four properties have been bought back by ACC since the voluntary acquisition process began. A total of 13 owners, from 138 privately owned properties, have agreed to sell following Valuation Office Agency assessments. 'Selling our homes for sometimes half what they were worth before we heard about Raac is not something we can just sit back and let happen. 'It's not fair. We are in this situation through no fault of our own,' Lynn added. 'Please, please keep sharing the petition, ask your friends to sign it. It's Aberdeen now but we are hearing about this all over the country. If we win our battle it could help future families never go through the hell we're going through.' Lindsay Bruce of The Press and Journal also shared a video thanking those who have signed the petition but called for others to join the campaign. To read more about the Raac crisis and our campaign click here.
Daily Record
07-05-2025
- Daily Record
Costa Coffee horror as car smashes through window leaving three seriously injured
Three people have been seriously injured after a car smashed into the front of a Costa Coffee shop. Three people have been left with serious injuries after a car ploughed into the front of a Costa Coffee. The emergency services were quick to respond to the incident this afternoon. Footage and images circulating on social media show an air ambulance making a landing at a nearby recreation ground, while pictures from the scene depict the presence of multiple police cars and an ambulance. The South Central Ambulance Service has confirmed that the trio injured were taken to hospital and are 'conscious and breathing'. Authorities in Carterton, Oxfordshire, currently do not suspect any malicious intent from the driver. Simon Watson, Town Councillor for Upavon Ward, expressed his thoughts: "Thinking of everyone affected by today's incident at the coffee shop and deeply grateful to our emergency services for their swift response.", reports the Mirror. Details regarding any arrests remain uncertain at this stage. A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police commented: "We are currently responding to an incident in Carterton. A vehicle has been driven into Costa Coffee in Burford Road, injuring three people. "Emergency services are at the scene and the road has been closed. We would advise the public to avoid the area at this time." Authorities have urged the public to refrain from circulating footage of a recent incident, stating: "We would ask the public not to share footage of the scene on social media, out of respect for those injured. If you have footage from the area at the time of the incident please share this with us by." They continue with an appeal for information: "Call 101 or leave details via our website, quoting INC-20250507-1109." As the investigation went on, the officials clarified: "We do not believe this was a deliberate act on behalf of the driver." Following the event, a spokesperson from South Central Ambulance Service reported: "We have been called out to reports that a car has collided with a Costa cafe." Detailing their response, the spokesperson added: "We have sent three ambulances, a rapid response car, our air ambulance team and our Hazardous Response Team at this time." The spokesperson also provided an update on the victims: "We've been informed that there are three casualties, all of whom are conscious and breathing, and are being conveyed to the John Radcliffe hospital." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Scottish Sun
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Three injured as car smashes through Costa Coffee window with air ambulance deployed
Police said the vehicle was driven into the coffee shop CRASH HORROR Three injured as car smashes through Costa Coffee window with air ambulance deployed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THREE people have been hurt after a vehicle crashed through the window of a Costa. The horror incident happened in Carterton, West Oxfordshire. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up Police are urging people to avoid the area and the road has been closed. An air ambulance was spotted at the scene as emergency services rush to attend. A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: "We are currently responding to an incident in Carterton. "A vehicle has been driven into Costa Coffee in Burford Road, injuring three people." The force urged the public not to share footage of the scene "out of respect for those who have been injured". Instead, those with video should contact police by calling 101 or online, quoting the reference number INC-20250507-1109. Town Councillor Simon Watson told the Oxford Mail: "Thinking of everyone affected by today's incident at the coffee shop and deeply grateful to our emergency services for their swift response." More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
Scotsman
01-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Iconic Edinburgh pub in ‘sought-after neighbourhood' sold for nearly £1 million
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now An iconic pub, situated in one of Edinburgh's most sought-after neighbourhoods, has been sold for close to £1million. 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... The Stockbridge Tap, on Raeburn Place, is known for its welcoming atmosphere and for serving a wide selection of local and independent cask beers, as well as Scottish spirits. The pub has been sold on behalf of Edinburgh Real Ale Company, a family-owned business, who owned and operated the business for over 20 years. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Locals will be pleased to know it has been sold to an experienced hospitality operator, who plans to continue running and growing the business. Simon Watson, Business Agent at Christie & Co who managed the sale process, said: 'There wasn't a shortage of interest in this pub. Edinburgh is still the most popular destination in Scotland, and this showed in the level of interest and offers we received. 'The new owners are established hospitality operators, and I am sure they will do an amazing job of carrying on the legacy left behind by the previous owners.'The Stockbridge Tap was sold off an asking price of offers over £950,000. Click here to sign up 👇
