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Edinburgh Reporter
5 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Breaking through in a thriving capital: how Edinburgh businesses can gain attention
Experts at leading public relations agency share their top tips for gaining visibility in Scotland's busy capital With Recent figures finding that Edinburgh's economy is outpacing London's, local businesses need visibility to match their ambition. Edinburgh's economy has hit a historic high. For the first time ever, the Scottish capital's GDP per head has overtaken London's, with output per person now sitting at £69,809, compared to £69,077 in the UK's traditional financial centre. It's a proud moment for the city who is showing itself to be not just a cultural hub but a serious player in business, innovation, and growth. But with growth comes competition. As more businesses are drawn to the capital's thriving economy, the landscape is becoming increasingly crowded. In a city bursting with opportunity, the challenge lies in claiming your space and making your voice heard. So how do you cut through the hustle and bustle and establish yourself in the Edinburgh market? Our experts have been living and working in Edinburgh at a leading PR agency for over two decades – so it's safe to say they know a thing or two about standing out in this thriving and bustling city. We asked our experts for their top tips on how businesses can break through in one of Scotland's busiest and most exciting business environments. Here's what they had to say. Harness the power of local media Building trust in the local community matters, especially in a small city where businesses are often driven by relationships. Whether you're a Leith start up or an established firm in the West End, building a reputation as a trusted reliable brand within the local community can make a key difference in driving growth. Local media coverage allows you to establish this local reputation and build a name as a respected presence within the community. Edinburgh's local media—like The Edinburgh Reporter—still holds incredible influence. While national coverage is always desirable, local features often yield better engagement and loyalty, especially for businesses rooted in the community. Pew Research has found even found that people tend to trust local news outlets more than national ones, particularly when it comes to getting the facts right and covering their community fairly. Through our decades of experience in the industry we've found that localised media campaigns, with locally relevant stories can produce fantastic results: Highlighting how your work impacts the city, supports local people, or ties into wider regional developments Tapping into regional events and milestones, creating a timely, relatable message rooted in the city Positioning your team as go-to experts for media comments on relevant local issues or industry trends Harnessing the power of the local media doesn't just build visibility, it creates deeper trust and strengthens community ties, opening the doors for new partnerships and local business Opportunities. Show the people behind your business With nearly 23 years of experience creating campaigns, we've found the key to building connections is highlighting the people behind the businesses. Storytelling lies at the heart of every powerful PR campaign. A skilled PR agency crafts compelling narratives that highlight your brand's purpose, people, and impact. These aren't generic marketing messages – they're human stories that audiences relate to and remember. Whether it's turning everyday life at a care home into an uplifting, shareable story, or highlighting the actions of a plumber turned local hero after a storm, strategic PR transforms the mundane into feel-good content that travels far beyond your website. This people-first approach to storytelling is what helps brands build lasting reputation within the community and stand out from the competition. It's often the everyday moments that deliver the biggest impact when framed with the right narrative. For example, Holyrood PR has consistently brought these moments to life through campaigns that turn ordinary business activity into memorable media stories, such as: Turning a care home photoshoot into a viral good-news story Highlighting a plumber who went above and beyond during severe weather Sharing a family butcher's journey to win sustainability awards Celebrating a long-serving staff member's 30-year anniversary as a story of loyalty and culture In a small, yet busy city like Edinburgh reputation matters and word of mouth still holds weight, showing the human side of your business isn't just a nice-to-have – it's essential. By putting people at the centre of your PR strategy, you not only gain media coverage, but also strengthen your brand from the inside out. Be a leading voice in local conversations Edinburgh is a fantastic city full of history, culture, and educational and career opportunities. But, like anywhere else it also has several social issues that deeply impact community members at an emotional level. From high housing demands and short-term lets and Airbnb saturation leading to climbing rental prices, growing concerns over the impact of the tourism industry on the local environment there are many relevant challenges at the forefront of the community's mind. Making your team a leading voice in these conversations can have an impressive impact on both public perception and long-term brand trust. By actively engaging and addressing local challenges you can establish your position as a socially responsible, authentic, and community focused brand. Providing thought leadership pieces expert commentary, or industry insights aligned with these local issues indicates that your business understands what matters to the people of Edinburgh. Whether you're offering a solution or simply bringing awareness to the conversation, this type of local engagement earns valuable trust within the local community and establishes your business as a leading voice within your sector Conclusion The Edinburgh business community is thriving now more than ever, providing an abundance of opportunity. But with great opportunity comes increased competition. With so many new businesses entering the Edinburgh market it's easy to fall into the background. It's no longer enough to simply offer a great product or service – you need to be seen, heard, and remembered. Failing to engage with the community by harnessing the local media and showcasing your business's unique voice can leave you lost in the noise unable to cut through in an ever-growing marketplace. By following these tips and investing in a strategic public relations strategy, you can ensure that your business doesn't get left behind and instead is a leading voice within the city. From securing meaningful media coverage to telling powerful, people-first stories and contributing to the conversations that matter most in Edinburgh, PR is not just about visibility – it's about building influence, trust, and lasting impact. Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Gilbert's Bill makes its way to the House of Lords
Tracy Gilbert, MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, was chosen in October last year to introduce the Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill. This 'Ballot Bill' or private members bill received its second reading on 17 January 2025 and has been making progress through the Commons. It will now be considered by the House of Lords where it has already had its first reading. It is open to any MP who is not a government minister to propose a Private Members' Bill, and then they can proceed with it if their bill is chosen in the ballot. There were 458 MPs in the ballot in autumn 2024 – and two of those who were successful were Edinburgh MPs. The topic is chosen by the MP themselves but usually tries to change the law in a specific area. Scott Arthur MP was the other and he chose to pursue the matter of Rare Cancers which is also now in the House of Lords. Ms Gilbert told The Edinburgh Reporter: 'My bill has gone through all the stages in the House of Commons and we now need it to pass through the Lords. I'm still waiting to hear from the civil servants when that'll happen, but fingers crossed it should become law. And the bill is about absent voting. So in October '23, the UK gGovernment introduced an online digital service to enable people to apply online for a proxy or an absent voting application. If you were going to be on holiday for the general election or if you were not able to vote and you wanted to have someone else voting on your behalf you could apply online. But that only applied to England and Scotland and Wales for General Elections. It didn't apply for Scottish Government and Senedd elections, or for local government elections. My law, if passed, will enable us to use that digital service in Scotland and Wales for all elections so we're trying to get that through so that it's in place for May 2026.' She also explained that at the General Election in 2024 some 1.5 million people applied online for an online or proxy vote. And 90% of the people who applied were successful. Ms Gilbert said: 'Although it's a technical and geeky bill, it's actually quite nice because it changes the Scotland Act and the Welsh Act and Electoral Act and actually it will help, hopefully, our democracy and encourage people to use their democratic right to vote.' Any MP can be chosen in this lottery to champion a Private Members Bill and it can be on any subject but Ms Gilbert explained that it cannot cost money to pass the legislation. She sifted through quite a number of bills but this was the ones landed on. And she was most complimentary of the civil servants. She said: 'Thank goodness for the civil servants, because this has been their life working on this piece of legislation in the background. Long before I was even thought of as an MP, there's these bits of legislation or bills that people are thinking about which might be useful for the rest of the UK. 'Their knowledge and experience really leads and guides you between the civil servants and the clerks in the House of Commons, tailoring how you manage to pass this legislation and make it your own. They help support you through all the technical stages of the bill with amendments and making sure that it goes through smoothly without any problems. And also working with The Scottish Government and working with the Welsh Senedd and UK Government.' Tracy Gilbert MP speaking to The Edinburgh Reporter from her Westminster office Tracy Gilbert MP in the House of Commons in 2024 when her Ballot Bill was chosen. Ms Gilbert said at the time she was picked: 'My Bill will end the anomaly in Scotland and Wales where you can apply online for a postal or proxy vote for General Elections, but not devolved or local elections. This will make it easier and simpler to get a postal or proxy vote in the 2026 elections.' When the general election was called in July 2024 by then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, it was held on 4 July which is when most children in Scotland are already on holiday from school. The bill will make it easier for voters to retain their right to vote if they are going on holiday or are otherwise unable to attend to vote in person. When her bill achieved its third reading, Ms Gilbert said that during the passage of this proposed legislation she has 'received quite an education in the legislative process'. She continued: 'The introduction of the online absent voting application service has given electors in England, Scotland and Wales the option to apply online for a postal or proxy vote in UK general elections. Electors in England are also given the option to use the online service to apply for a postal or proxy vote for all other types of election that they can participate in. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for voters in Scotland and Wales. As it stands, voters in Scotland and Wales face a fragmented system in which they may apply online for a postal or proxy vote for a UK General Election but still rely on filling out paper forms for their local council or devolved Parliament elections. The Bill enables that inconsistency to be ended. 'In short, the Bill will allow for the extension of the same online application options to voters in Scotland and Wales for devolved elections. The goal is to have the measures in place ahead of the devolved elections scheduled for May 2026.' In supporting the bill Peter Lamb MP for Crawley said: 'As a country, we have an increasingly confusing set of election arrangements. Many different types of electoral systems are employed, there are different age arrangements in different places and there are different rules around this, that and the other. When people think that one set of rules is in play and in fact, given a particular context, there is another, that creates growing problems with confidence in our electoral system. Although it is a challenge, it is important to our democracy that, as far as possible, the general public understand how the systems operate, how they select their governors and how they express their voice. That is a critical part of the UK retaining genuine democratic accountability. 'The more that can be done to harmonise arrangements across the entire United Kingdom, and to ensure that there is a much simpler approach to people expressing their views to us, the greater the level of confidence in the system. Having two different sets of arrangements around casting votes cannot do much to encourage people to engage in the process.' Tracy Gilbert MP in the House of Commons Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
07-07-2025
- Edinburgh Reporter
Domestic abuse conviction ends legal career dreams for Luxford Burgers boss Alexander Galpin
Edinburgh 'burger king' Alexander Galpin's dreams of a high-flying legal career are in tatters after one of the world's top law firms confirmed his trainee solicitor position has been axed following a conviction for domestic abuse. Galpin boasted on social media that he had secured a coveted post and was due to start a full-time trainee role in August with Magic Circle firm Clifford Chance – one of the UK's most prestigious legal firms which has an annual £2 billion turnover. But following his conviction for domestic abuse and aggressive behaviour against his former partner and mother of his 19-month-old daughter, Clifford Chance has confirmed Galpin's traineeship offer has been withdrawn. The Edinburgh Reporter revealed Galpin, 24, owner of two Luxford Burgers restaurants in Edinburgh and a 'dark kitchen' Deliveroo operation, was convicted under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 23 June. Galpin repeatedly pressurised his pregnant partner to have an abortion against her wishes, leading to confrontation and furious arguments. Shamed Alexander Galpin leaves Edinburgh Sheriff Court after being convicted of domestic abuse – Pic by Stephen Rafferty In one text message – seen by The Edinburgh Reporter – Galpin told the stressed woman: 'You've had no right to hold this over me every day and watch me squirm, you had no right to force me to look at pictures of a scan of kid that I view as a cancer, nothing more nothing less.' The court heard that following one row over the pregnancy the would-be lawyer drove his car at speed with his pregnant partner in the passenger seat while the door was open. The vehicle struck a post and Galpin later tried to pull her from the car, causing bruising to her arm. During a campaign of abuse, which included him sending hundreds of text messages, Procurator Fiscal Peter Finnon told the court that one offensive message stood out. The woman, who suffered mental health issues, was on the phone to her doctor seeking help, when Galpin messaged: 'Ask if you can get medication for malicious parent syndrome'. In court Galpin admitted that he did repeatedly act in an aggressive manner, and encourage his victim to make representations to the court in support of removal of bail conditions. He admitted that on one occasion, he seized her by the body, pulled her and caused her to fall on a bed, and that he repeatedly contacted her and made offensive remarks. Following the final break up of the relationship in July 2024, Galpin is said to have engaged in an 'extreme form' of behaviour which included repeatedly phoning and messaging his ex-partner at all hours of the day. Galpin has been championed by Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce as an exemplary businessman – winning the Chamber's 2024 'Rising Star' award and being nominated for the 2025 High Growth Business Award – despite the Edinburgh Reporter making the organisation aware of a business failure which left debts of almost £120,000. Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce's Rising Star, Alexander Galpin, (centre) has crashed and burned. We revealed in February how Galpin put Luxford Burgers' parent company, Secure Kitchens Ltd, into liquidation, leaving a trail of debts due to small local businesses, while UK tax payers were left to pick up an £80,000 bill in unpaid VAT, PAYE and corporation tax. Galpin then 'phoenixed' the failed business, setting up a new company Got Buns Ltd in June 2024, and continues to operate the Luxford Burgers restaurants in St Leonard's Street and Brandon Terrace. On his LinkedIn profile, Galpin claims he is 'Executive Director of Galpin Group, a hospitality management business that owns and operates a portfolio of restaurants across the UK, with a combined gross turnover of £6m+ per annum.' He previously stated on his profile: 'I am an incoming trainee solicitor at Clifford Chance, one of the world's leading law firms, where I will start me legal career in August 2025', but that has now been deleted. Galpin has deleted his LinkedIn post boasting about joining law firm Clifford Chance The Edinburgh Reporter contacted Clifford Chance on 28 February and 4 March informing the firm of Galpin's business failure and questioned if it was appropriate that he should be offered a trainee solicitor position. It was only after his conviction for domestic abuse last month that Clifford Chance confirmed the traineeship had been axed. A spokeswoman said: 'As a policy we do not comment on individual applicants to the firm, but I can confirm this individual will not be a future trainee or join Clifford Chance.' Galpin, of Salvesen Crescent, Edinburgh, did not respond to a request for comment. He will be sentenced at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 1 August. Galpin enjoying La Dolce Vita in Florence but he is in the frame for domestic abuse and due to be sentenced on 1 August. Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Sir Billy's artworks are windswept and interesting
Sir Billy Connolly has spoken of his joy at being dubbed 'windswept and interesting', following the release of a new collection of his artworks under the same heading through Castle Fine Art. Connolly, 82, was given the 'brilliant' moniker by fellow Scots musician Archie Fisher during his early years as a folk singer, after he stepped offstage in a flamboyant white velvet outfit. He said he had sought to maintain a reputation for being 'windswept and interesting' ever since. Connolly, who used the description as the title of his 2021 autobiography, has now launched a 'Windswept and Interesting' art collection through Castle Fine Art, which has a gallery in Edinburgh's Multrees Walk. The artworks depict a dancing figure in Teddy Boy clothing and creeper shoes with 'clashing socks', shaking maracas. Connolly said: 'The title, 'Windswept and Interesting', was said to me by Archie Fisher, who is an extraordinary guitarist and singer from Scotland. 'I was performing at Methil Steelworks Club in Fife and I had velvet clothes on — white velvet flared bottom trousers and a skinny body and flared sleeves, and I was Jack the lad. 'I finished my show and came off stage and Archie was there and I was pleased to see him. He had just been in India and he said 'you're looking windswept and interesting'. 'I thought 'yes, that'll do me', and it's been me ever since. '(Michael) Parkinson used to love calling me windswept and interesting. People love it once they hear it and it's all due to Archie. And it's brilliant.' Connolly's latest artworks include two giclee prints available for £1950 each and a stainless steel sculpture priced at £5950. Inspired by Connolly's memories of 1950s youth subculture, the figure is how he imagines his younger self — had he been allowed to dress in the distinctive style of the Teddy Boy. Offering an insight into the pieces, Connolly said he hadn't initially set out to depict himself, however. He said: 'It wasn't supposed to be me but it looks like me. I'm obsessed with myself and I like to draw myself, and it's just one of those things. 'It's me and it's my youth as I would have liked to have been, but wasn't. I wasn't a Teddy Boy. 'I would have loved to have been a Teddy Boy but I was too young and my parents wouldn't let me do it. 'It's the worst reason not to be a Teddy Boy, because your parents won't let you. 'So this is me as I see myself.' Sir Billy Connolly in April 2019 when he was Grand Marshal at the New York City Tartan Day Parade PHOTO ©2019 The Edinburgh Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Get ready for Edinburgh Festival Carnival
Edinburgh Festival Carnival takes place on Sunday 13 July 2025 in the heart of the city. This is billed as Edinburgh's biggest free multicultural celebration. With a dazzling mix of music, dance, costume, and colour, this vibrant event brings together local and international artists to share the rich cultural traditions that make Edinburgh a truly global city. Carnival stands as a powerful celebration of unity, creativity, and mutual respect. It is a space where people from all walks of life, particularly those who are underrepresented or marginalised, can take part, share their heritage, and connect through the joy of performance. From 1pm on Sunday 13 July, 750 local and international performers will parade through West Princes Street Gardens with music, dance, costumes, and puppets. This year's event features three parades: 1pm: Local, national and international community groups perform as part of The World in One City 3pm: Edinburgh Chinese Art & Culture 5pm: Latin American Community Association of Edinburgh (LACAE) Hosted by actor, writer and comedian, Sanjay Largo, the Ross Bandstand programme opens at 2pm with Peruvian rhythms from Edinburgh's Cumbiatones, followed by reggae, afro and Latin sounds from Glasgow four-piece band Samson Sounds at 4pm. The programme closes with Soca and Caribbean rhythms from Scrappy Sinon & Tropical Storm Band at 6pm. The afternoon also features sets from DJ Dynamite. Between 1pm and 5pm, there will also be two zones with a full programme of dancing, drumming and circus performances. On Sunday 6 July, the Edinburgh Youth Carnival takes place at Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre from 1-5pm. Edinburgh Festival Carnival is produced by Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, with a dedicated Carnival team headed up by Giles Agis, Carnival & Communities Manager. Cllr. Jason Rust, Chair of Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival said: 'The Edinburgh Festival Carnival returns this year and it's fantastic to see local communities and international artists coming together to create an awe-inspiring spectacle in the city centre. This free event is perfect for all family, and I am proud of all the hard work of the team to bring Carnival to Edinburgh's city centre.' Giles Agis, Carnival & Communities Manager said: 'The Edinburgh Festival Carnival brings people together in joyful defiance of those who would rather see us divided. The Carnival is a space where Edinburgh's diverse communities, many of whom face barriers to the arts, can unite to celebrate culture, creativity, and solidarity. It's more than a show; it's a statement of belonging.' Edinburgh Festival Carnival 2023 took place in West Princes Street Gardens PHOTO ©2023 Martin McAdam Edinburgh Festival Carnival 2023 took place in West Princes Street Gardens PHOTO ©2023 The Edinburgh Reporter Edinburgh Festival Carnival 2023 took place in West Princes Street Gardens PHOTO ©2023 The Edinburgh Reporter Edinburgh Festival Carnival Launch, Princes' Street Gardens, Edinburgh, 7th July 2022 © 2022 J.L. Preece Like this: Like Related
