NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2009 Welcome to the second edition of ‘Spotlight on Leith’, which provides Leith businesses with a snapshot of what’s going on around Leith
Walk. Thanks to everyone who got in touch about the first issue which we are pleased to say was warmly received by businesses.
For the first time, the city of Edinburgh has pooled resources to celebrate and promote the world class festivities and shopping in the city over the Christmas period in a new campaign, Edinburgh Sparkles. In Leith two new festive
sites at the Shrubhill and Elm Row sites have been chosen to host two spectacular Edinburgh Sparkles Christmas trees. At the foot of the walk there is a further illuminated Christmas tree, provided by Neighbourhood partnership.
Social Enterprise in the City
OUT OF THE BLUE
Edinburgh is a thriving centre for Scottish businesses with social and environmental objectives, with a long and proud tradition of creating and supporting new enterprises in a wide variety of sectors. This includes everyone from local shops and cafes to business incubator developments which drive entrepreneurial businesses and those who access and support employment opportunities for special groups and disadvantaged areas. The common theme is that, whilst the
Founded in 1992 the Albion Trust was the first ‘green building’ project in Scotland, providing an innovative offering of affordable accommodation for charities and voluntary organisations. Based within a converted primary school in Leith, Norton Park, it currently gives a base to 23 organisations, all working to enhance the local community. Development Director Mags Cameron commented: “We want organisations which do good work to have a comfortable base they can afford, Norton Park has proved hugely popular and we constantly have an extensive
waiting list for space. Having so many divergent organisations under one roof is also a real bonus to the public, providing a one-stop-shop for them to visit.” The Trust is consistently looking to enhance its service through projects such as Lockhart Church, adjacent to Norton Park. The church will meet the needs of the voluntary sector in a different way, currently being converted to provide conference and meeting space at subsidised rates. For further information on the Trust please visit www.albiontrust.org
Social Enterprise is supported in the city by the Social Enterprise Partnership and Network which provides expert support and help at every stage, from initial ideas to start up to business growth.
If you are interested in social enterprise why not find out more by contacting Social Enterprise Edinburgh at see@forthsector.org.uk / 0131 659 4740.
ALBION TRUST
enterprise is a business it its own right, it has guiding social aims and objectives for its activities. Often used to help business and enterprise activity grow in areas where the traditional business base is weak, it encourages a range of people and local communities who may not consider themselves to be ‘business people’ to develop ideas and learn new enterprise skills. The Leith area has a growing range of both established enterprises and new ideas and proposals.
CASE STUDY: OUT OF THE BLUE Out of the Blue provides a thriving hub for artists and the creative industries in Leith, originally starting in a small shop unit on Blackfriars Street and now with a permanent base at Drill Hall on Dalmeny Street, just off Leith Walk. Its overarching goal is to make the arts more accessible and harness the power of the arts in local communities, through working with those who are economically, politically and culturally marginalised. Says Coordinator Rob Hoon: ‘Out of the Blue provides space and opportunity to all who want to participate in the arts and is an important resource for
CASE STUDY: ALBION TRUST
the local Leith area. We have a building packed with artists and workshops, a café and plans for a sculpture garden are underway. We work with people to use their imagination as a catalyst for improving their local community. For example during a recent project at Dalmeny Street Park we worked with a group to imagine what they’d like to see there and then helped them create it. Being rooted in the Leith community is very much a part of who we are, from the people who work here to the artists and projects we’re involved with.’ www.outoftheblue.org.uk
Spotlight on… Wallace’s Arthouse Scotland
A business trip to Amsterdam was the inspiration behind Wallace Shaw’s delightful ‘Arthouse Scotland’ B&B on Constitution Street. The ex knitwear designer was so impressed by his Amsterdam lodgings, he hatched a plan to move into the tourism business, first with a B&B in Spoleto in Italy and now in his adopted home of Leith in Edinburgh. Wallace’s Arthouse Scotland opened in summer this year on a converted floor of the old Assembly Rooms. The interiors draw on Wallace’s passion for design and culture, rooted in his studies of interior design at Glasgow School of Art and years spent travelling the world in the fashion business. ‘I’ve always loved the sociability of B&Bs, and here I’ve tried to do my own version in an artistic way, with nice music, interiors and also providing a guide for my guests to the arts and cultural scene
in the city,’ says Wallace. ‘We were very busy over the festival, with guests from all over the UK, Europe and from America. I love my situation in Leith. I used to come here on nights out when I worked in the Borders, and was drawn to the look of the area, its character and naturalness. I think that the area’s outstanding restaurant scene has done a great job in attracting visitors, and my guests have been amazed at the quality and variety of what’s on offer. I have quite a lot of work still to do and I’m looking forward to building the business and welcoming guests from all over the world to the area in future years.’ For further information visit www.wallacesarthousescotland.com
INTERVIEW WITH...
Anna Christopherson Sofi’s, Boda Bar, Victoria & Joseph Pearce Anna Christophen is waxing lyrical about her latest venture, a festive treat which doesn’t cost the earth in the shape of a new Christmas canapé night at the bohemian Sofi’s bar on Henderson Street. ‘We are determined that people should be able to come and enjoy our space and thought a canapé night would provide an ideal solution for small businesses who might not have the budget for a larger party’, explains Anna.
through giving them a platform with the bar’s customers; fifteen minute Swedish hot stone massages and manicures are given out for free with donations and networking encouraged. Finally, like everything in all four of Christopherson’s Leith bars, the most unusual event of the festive calendar comes with a Swedish twist. ‘Our most original event is Lucia Night on 13 December, celebrating St Lucia, which we grew up with in Sweden.’ In Edinburgh our staff dress
“ OUR MOST ORIGINAL EVENT IS LUCIA NIGHT… MORE AND MORE PEOPLE JOIN IN EVERY YEAR.” With a range of events across December it’s not her first venture which brings the local community together in a quirky and memorable way. Christmas card writing, an activity Anna insists is better done in a group, is now in its second year at Victoria Bar on Leith Walk, encouraging locals to care for the environment too by sharing materials and making their own cards. On 8 December a Beauty Night, again at Sofi’s, also supports local beauticians
We want to hear from you!
up in white nightgowns, girls with candles in their hair, and we put the lights out and sing Swedish songs. It’s something which we started at our first bar, Boda, and it’s just taken off – people just think of it as this mad, crazy fun thing. We now do it across all our bars and feel it has been fully embraced by the local community, with more and more people joining in every year.’ Sofi’s Bar. 65 Henderson Street, Edinburgh www.bodabar.com
If you have a story about your business that you’d like to be included in a future newsletter please let us know! You can either email openforbusiness@burtgreener.co.uk or call Joanne Bell on 0131 220 8249.