Latest news with #WhiteHouseKitchen
Scotsman
18-05-2025
- Scotsman
Edinburgh cafe in stunning Art Deco building announces closure with a ‘heavy heart'
A much-loved community cafe in Edinburgh has announced its closure with a 'heavy heart'. 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 White House Kitchen, on Niddrie Mains Road, serves up a range of hot & cold food and is popular with locals. Now, however, the owners have taken the difficult decision to shut for good, citing rising costs among the reasons for the closure. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In an emotional post on Facebook, The White House Kitchen team wrote: 'It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of our business. This decision has been incredibly difficult for us, but due to rising costs and various other factors over the years, we can no longer continue operating. 'We sincerely thank all of our loyal customers, both regulars and newcomers, for their support throughout the years. Your kindness and patronage have meant the world to us. Thank you once again for being a part of our journey.' In December 2024, The National Transport Trust placed a Red Wheel at The White House. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Red Wheels are similar to English Heritage's blue plaque scheme, and commemorate Britain's greatest transport heritage sites. Each wheel has a QR Code that links to the Trust's database for more information. Designed by architect William Innes Thomson, the art-deco building opened on October 18, 1936. Offering a place to stop and have a refreshment, was one of a number of roadhouses developed in the Capital in response to the growth of the motor car. Speaking about the venue, John Yellowlees, vice-president of National Transport Trust, said: 'The White House was popular due to the shortage of public houses in the Craigmillar and Niddrie neighbourhoods. It later evolved from a roadhouse into a public house owned by Tennent Caledonian Breweries. The ground floor featured a public bar, saloon bar, tea room, and skittle alley, while the first floor featured a billiard room and lounge bar. 'By the 1970s, it was known for its 'happy-go-lucky' clientele, reputedly promising a 'pint and a fight'. In 1995, The White House was granted category 'B' listed status by Historic Scotland, The property fell into decline in the late 20th century, eventually closing in 2000. It was added to the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland in 2004, but was then the subject of a major fire which destroyed its skittle alley. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'In 2007, The White House was acquired from receivers by PARC Craigmillar, an arm's length company of the City of Edinburgh Council. With grants from Historic Scotland and the Scottish Government's Town Centre Regeneration Fund, a £1.85M restoration of The White House began in April 2010 and was completed in March 2011. 'The works saw the building envelope restored, improvements made to the roof and windows, and repairs to internal elements such as the cornices and staircase, while art-deco elements of the interior were restored. The architect for the renovation was Smith Scott Mullan and the principal contractor was Thomas Johnstone. 'On 18 September 2013, The White House was formally reopened as a community café, art space, and volunteering centre. It is operated by the Community Alliance Trust – a local charity – under a lease from PARC Craigmillar.'
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Edinburgh cafe closes business with a 'heavy heart' due to 'rising costs'
An Edinburgh café owner has been forced to close their doors for good due to rising costs. The White House Kitchen on Niddrie Mains Road in the Craigmillar area of the city shared the sad news with their loyal customers on social media, saying that many factors, including rising costs, have led to this difficult decision. They wrote: "It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of our business. This decision has been incredibly difficult for us, but due to rising costs and various other factors over the years, we can no longer continue operating. READ MORE: Edinburgh filmmaker warns 'we need to be honest about what's happening on schemes' READ MORE: Edinburgh man called 999 and warned 'I have a knife' as he walked down train tracks "We sincerely thank all of our loyal customers, both regulars and newcomers, for their support throughout the years. Your kindness and patronage have meant the world to us. "Thank you once again for being a part of our journey." The White House Kitchen offered breakfast and brunch options at an affordable price and will be sorely missed by those in the community. One person commented: "I'm going to miss this place, pure great people. You all done amazing." Another added: "Sad." The café has now closed permanently with immediate effect. It comes after a vital community pantry on the same street was forced to close their doors after they were unable to secure funding. The Green House Pantry offered its members, who paid a weekly subscription of just £4.50, access to food and essentials including fresh fruits and vegetables. The service also hosted free workshops and classes in cooking and food growing. It hoped to create a 'sense of control' when it came to food and community. Sadly, when they were unable to secure funds they faced an "unavoidable" closure and ceased operations on April 11. Their statement at the time read: "It is with great sadness and regret that the community alliance trust has taken the decision to close the Green House Pantry. "This was a very difficult decision to make and is unavoidable. We have not been able to secure funds to cover the pantry's core costs - staff, rent, electricity etc. "We are sorry that we do not have any alternative. We will continue to supply fresh fruit and vegetables to other local food outlets e.g. at The Hay and The Thistle. "The closure will be effective from April 11." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
