SP
TLIGHT
ON LEITH
FEBRUARY/ MARCH 2011
NEW YEAR NEW SITE! January saw the official launch of the new ‘I Love Leith’ website (www.iloveleith.com) – a new online hub and directory to find out all about what is happening in your local area. From a local events calendar to a business directory, the ‘I Love Leith’ website will signpost visitors to businesses in the area, as well as provide an opportunity to add your events to the site’s rolling events calendar. Gary Scott of Urbane Furniture is already seeing the benefits, reporting a noticeable increase in online traffic to his own website via iloveleith.com. So, if you are hosting an event in the Leith area that you would like to tell people about, let us know about it! By contacting the library, events can be posted on the website and local not-forprofit and community groups can access free meeting space at the hub by arrangement. Check the site regularly for space availability or contact the library direct. Email iloveleith@gmail.com to inform us about your event or check out the website for information on activities happening in your area – www.iloveleith.com ALSO! The new site hosts a ‘virtual bookshelf’ where you can read Spotlight on Leith online! SPOTLIGHT ON...LEITH FM As a local community station broadcasting 24 hours a day from a small studio beside Leith Docker’s club, the dedicated team at Leith FM create an exciting on-air showcase of life, culture, local businesses and events. Run entirely by volunteers, Leith FM airs at least ten different shows a day, with regular morning, brunch and drivetime slots featuring a mix of pop and contemporary music as well as local news.
Thursday evening Imurig with Momo, which features different types of music across North Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Soon to be launched, there will even be a local hip hop show.
The station welcomes contributions from local Their new website, www.leithfm.co.uk holds businesses who come down to the studio to chat information on all the shows and lets you to presenters about fun and topical issues relevant listen online – so tune in now! to Leithers. In the evenings there is also an abundance of rich ethnic programming such as the
FACEBOOK BEFRIENDS LEITH BUSINESSES With a promise to reach new customers, create a stepping stone to your own website and promote your business free of charge, it’s no wonder that more and more Leith companies are embracing the use of social media – with many of their sites becoming the most loved in the city. Organic hair salon Emma Hall on Haddington Place started its Facebook page last year, encouraging customer loyalty and generating new clients for the unique salon. As well as posting items on new services and images of their hair design, they incentivise online followers with promotions and exclusive special offers. Owner Emma Hall commented : “Our Facebook page has been fantastic for us and has definitely encouraged new fans by helping people find out about the salon who may not have done so otherwise...” Leith Business Association has also recently started a facebook page called Leith shoppers which has a fair number of fans already! Just down the road, the cosy Word of Mouth Café has become one business to see the benefits of blogging, with a colourful Tumblr blog showcasing the cafe’s food and much loved personality. Social media has also proven to be a great outlet for community activity, with the Greener Leith campaign also using the photo sharing website Flickr and video channel Youtube to bring community initiatives such as cycling to work, events and recycling schemes to life. Find out more at:
www.greenerleith.org www.emmahallhair.co.uk http://wofmcafe.tumblr.com www.facebook.com/leithshopper
EVENTS Local Leith couple Mike and Anna Christopherson are helping raise money for Barnardo’s Scotland through hosting their very own Come Dine with Me inspired event. The event will take place on 20th March, starting at Joseph Pearce from 6pm and offer a unique course in each of the couples’ popular Leith establishments - Joseph Pearce, Boda, Victoria and Sofi’s. Tickets are priced at £20 for a course at each of the venues, or £5 per venue. To reserve your sitting, or for more information contact: anna@bodabar.com or visit www.bodabar.com
FROM CYCLING TO RECYCLING – WAYS TO EXPRESS YOUR 2011 GOOD INTENTIONS New Year is a good time to start making room for a few good intentions whether it be getting fit, eating healthily or generally looking after yourself - and there are many resources and initiatives available in Leith to help you along the way! The Leith Cycle Co was established in June 2007 by cycle enthusiast Richard Dowsett. The shop supplies a wide range of options suitable for beginners to enthusiasts and people can hire bikes for as little as £10 for half a day. Richard comments, “This city is fantastic for cycling. Yes there are a few hills, but the beautiful buildings and architecture provides great motivation to inspire people to leave the bus pass at home and start getting fit.” Another local hub inspiring people’s good intentions is Culture and Arts venue, Out of The Blue, who host the weekly mending service ‘Tinker Tailor’ inspiring the thriving ‘make do and mend’ generation. Each Saturday morning, skilled crafts experts are on hand to help people mend small items that have been lying around broken at home e.g. bags, clothes and bikes. The service helps people regain lost skills and is a practical way of recycling goods. Tinker Tailor project co-ordinator Rosie Lewis explains, “We feel strongly that we need to address the over dependence we have on ‘new stuff’ and get far more savvy about reducing the resources we use. Tinker Tailor helps people think about keeping their possessions for longer, it gives people the confidence to have a go at mending things themselves and it brings people together in the community.” Leith Cycle Co is located at 276 Leith Walk. Tel 0131 467 7775 www.leithcycleco.com Out of the Blue ‘Tinker Tailor’ sessions are held every Saturday Morning from 10am – 2pm. Check out the website for details on the workshops www.tinkertailor.org.uk
SPOTLIGHT ON...CULTURAL LEITH A melting pot of cultures, Leith has an enviable cultural scene. Pop-up gigs in Pilrig Church and the new Dancebase facility at Leith Theatre are just two of the recent happenings in the area and with exciting new exhibitions and installations due to go on display throughout 2011, Leith’s artistic undercurrent is thriving! A highlight is the cutting edge Corn Exchange Gallery, situated in the Corn Exchange building on Constitution Street. It’s expertly curated programme of diverse contemporary art features five scheduled exhibitions each year, making it a must do on the cultural agenda. The gallery also plays a key role in The Edinburgh Art Festival, a world renowned celebration of visual arts taking place each August. Director Sorcha Carey comments: “Over the years it has been possible to enjoy a rich variety of contemporary art in Leith during the Edinburgh Art Festival. In the annual ‘MAGAZINE’ showcase, Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop offers a platform to new and emerging talent. Meanwhile the Corn Exchange Gallery has staged the first UK solo exhibitions by leading international artists including the American sculptor Andrew Ranville and the remarkable Japanese artist Atsuo Okamoto introducing British audiences to their work.’ Artistic talent is also given its own place to thrive amongst Leith’s streets, at independent art school the Leith School of Art. Situated on North Junction Street, the inspiring studios host full and part time classes as well as a ‘Marketing on a Shoestring’ Summer School every is just one of the helpful year. workshops scheduled to take place at the Leith Business Find out more at: Hub this February and March. www.leithschoolofart. For a full list of this season’s co.uk free courses visit www.bgateway.com or call 0845 609 6611.