News from Graham
Business Co-ordinator - Report to LBA Committee PDF Print E-mail
Written by LBA   
Wednesday, 25 August 2010 21:26

The following report has been received from the Leith Walk and West End Business Co-ordinator:

 

McDONALD ROAD LIBRARY BUSINESS HUB

The initial Spring/Summer courses were a major success, many of them were fully subscribed and received very favourable reviews from the participants.   The Leith Business Hub is likely to be a template for other future Hub's in Edinburgh. 
 
Following the popularity of the first series of courses a new programme of eight FREE courses is being held from Monday Sept 6 to  November 1 - a change of evening as requested by people who could not attend the previous Wednesdays.   Following this there will be a series of four FREE courses from November 15 to December 6 specifically aimed at "Starting Up A Business".  Full details about each course etc. are on the attached leaflets. 

 

GREEN BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP

Following the strong interest shown by businesses, in saving money by adopting environmental practices, at the GBP's Utility Workshop in the Leith Business Hub on June 30, a new series of six FREE business environment courses are being run from Thursday Sept 9 at Business Gateway's offices at Apex House in Haymarket.   Full details about each course from the Green Business Partnership are on the attached leaflet. 
 

WELCOME TO LEITH SIGN

All outstanding problems concerning the erection of the new sign at the Pilrig Road boundary have now been resolved and the Lord Provost, Cllr George Grubb, has kindly agreed to formally unveil it on September 14 at 11:00am.   Further details will be circulated nearer the time.  

 

 

The two piece sign which has been designed and manufactured by Noel Spencer of Sign Directory a local Leith business.   The lower section of the sign reads "I Love Leith" in nautical flags.
 

“I LOVE LEITH” WEB-SITE

All the necessary design and content work has now been completed and site testing has commenced.
 

GET LEITH ON-LINE

In order to try and address the major problem of apprx 70% of small businesses in Leith, and in High Streets elsewhere in the City, not having either an internet presence or an e-mail address we are discussing commencing the above project in association with Open For Business and other resources.
 

"SPOTLIGHT ON LEITH" NEWSLETTER

The latest August/September issue was distributed last week to all businesses from London Road to Foot Of The Walk & Constitution St, plus 100yds into side roads.   The current print run of 2,000 is also displayed in local libraries and Council offices. 
Please contact us with details of any business that would like to be featured, or any relevent business related news topic, for a future edition.
 

TOWN CENTRE STRATEGY

The results of the major survey of businesses etc. that was carried out in Edinburgh's nine High Streets in the Summer have now been reconciled.   The overall results and views etc. will be announced to the Neighbourhood Partnerships in early September and then released into the public domain.   The next phase is to produce a detailed and achievable strategy aimed at improving each High Street - two of which are Leith Walk and Leith Central (Gt. Junction St).
 

CHRISTMAS TREE

Discussions have commenced with Stakeholders to try and repeat the Christmas Tree that was located at Elm Row last year.   This was well supported and publicly appreciated by adjacent businesses, especially Valvona & Crolla.   Due to financial cut backs in the City, and the overall cost of providing and decorating a tree, I am presuming that insufficient funding will be available for a second display in Leith Walk.
 

LEGAL ADVERTISING PROJECT (LAP)

A Planning Application for Advertising Consent for the gap site hoarding adjacent to McDonald Road Library was submitted on June 4 and is due to be considered at Planning Sub Committee on September 6.   If permission is granted the operating company will, as part of the management agreement, maintain the site by ongoing removal of litter, graffiti & fly posting etc.
 

ART IN THE CITY

Braewell Galleries in Glasgow, a privately owned limited company, have a successful project with Glasgow City Council which has so far resulted in 12 City Centre empty shop sites having their windows vinyled with artwork of up and coming Scottish artists.   See URL http://www.braewellgalleries.com/offers.php which shows a premise in Gordon Street. 

Together with other stakeholders I met the company's MD last week and have obtained.sufficient funding for the same project to be introduced into Edinburgh using 12 suitable empty shop windows in Leith Walk & West End.   CEC approval is currently being requested, following which Landlords & Agents will be contacted.   This is an excellent way of providing exciting and contemporary material on empty premises and would hopefully become a local attraction.
 

WORLD TOUR OF LEITH – DINE AROUND PROMOTION

The second World Tour Of Leith Dine Around was launched in the Evening News on Monday August 9 and featured six prominent Leith restaurants in a promotion that lasts until the end of this month.   Evening News pdf attached.   Due to the current high level of Festival customer flow several restaurants in Leith Walk understandably decided not to participate.   To support these and other businesses a third Dine Around is planned for October.
 

TRAM LINE TROs

I shall be attending the Transport Sub Committee meeting on Sept 21 at 10:30am in the City Chambers to hear the determination of the TROs following the Public Consultation.
Last updated ( Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:24 )
 
EDINBURGH TRAM UPDATE PDF Print E-mail
Written by Graham Russell   
Wednesday, 30 September 2009 22:09

Please see below for a brief update from TIE on some of the sensationalist stories that have been running in the Evening News in the last week.    From my recent and ongoing discussions with both TIE and senior Council officials, I have no real reason to doubt this rebuttal from TIE.   Princes Street is visibly nearing completion, there are now tram rails outside House Of Fraser and all the work is scheduled to be be clear by late November.   Although it is not unusual for civil engineering projects of this magnitude to run into unforseen problems and issues, which in this case is not being helped by a Contractor refusing to adhere to legally signed contracts, I cannot see where a £200m overspend could possibly arise.

Graham Russell.   Business Co-ordinator, Leith Walk & West End.

Tel - 01721 721 200   Mob - 07853 275 222

Dear All,As promised, I’m continuing to keep you up to date with any developments around the perception and reality of what is happening at Trams. Just to reassure you and to provide you with the correct information about the two stories which have been circulating this week. The first story related to Hogmanay and suggested that tram works would cause havoc, which I have refuted strongly. This is not the information provided by the City to the newspaper. We will be updating you all at TOG, however, do rest assured that progress remains well on track at Princes Street.Secondly, you might have seen today some comment by Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP suggesting the project will be as much as £200m over the anticipated budget and it will not arrive until 2013. You may also have seen a robust rebuttal both by Jenny Dawe and by myself. Again we were particularly disappointed that the sources were unsubstantiated by Shirley-Anne Somerville and she has not been prepared to produce them. There is no truth in what she is suggesting.As far as the dispute goes, this is progressing in a number of areas and we will update you fully at TOG. Thank you all for your continuing interest – it is very much appreciated. If there is anything that you do want specific information on I think you all know where I am and I will be delighted to hear from you.With my kind regards as always,

Mandy Haeburn-Little, Director of Customer Services & Commincations
 
LEITH WALK FOOTFALL FIGURES PDF Print E-mail
Written by Graham Russell   
Wednesday, 16 September 2009 21:33

Some Good News about footfall in Leith Walk.

Last week's footfall count from the camera at Vittoria Restaurant was 73,838, an increase from the previous week's (end of Festival) 70,322.   It would of course be incorrect to compare this figure with those in August during the height of the Festival.    A more realistic comparison is with the average pre-Festival weekly figure in July - last week's footfall in Leith Walk was a very credible 14% higher.

Graham Russell

Business Coordinator Leith Walk & West End

Tel - 01721 721 200   Mob - 07853 275 222

 
 
EDINBURGH CITY COUNCIL - LEADER'S REPORT PDF Print E-mail
Written by Graham Russell   
Friday, 11 September 2009 20:26

The September Leader's Report from Councillor Jenny Dawe containes the following stories.   To download the Report - www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/Council/Council_Business/leaders_report/Sept09/LRepSept09.pdf

1)  Nelson Mandela's AIDs Charity

2)  Successful Summer Festivals

3)  Edinburgh Tram Update, including the latest information on the contract negotiations.

4)  A Geeen, Clean, Attractive and Environmentally Sustainable Ciity.

5)  Promoting Culture & Leisure

6)  Prodiving Safe, Warm Houses

7)  Providing Safer Communities

8)  Maximising Opportunities & Learning.

9)  Developing our City & Regional  Economy

10)  Edinburgh - An Exemplar for UK City Leaders

11)  Caring for our Most Vunerable

Graham Russelll, Business Coordinator Leith Walk & West End

Tel - 01721 721 200,  Mob - 07853 275 222
 
CUSTOMER FOOTFALL IN LEITH WALK PDF Print E-mail
Written by Graham Russell   
Wednesday, 02 September 2009 12:17

Last week's footfall figure from the camera at Vittoria Restaurant was 79,708 - the 2nd highest since it went live in the middle of June.   The average weekly figure for July was 64,897 and for August 78,908 - a huge monthly increase of 22%.  

This clearly shows that Leith Walk, despite the continuing Utility Works and other disruptions, has shared in the benefits that the Festival brings to Edinburgh at this time of the year.   Many extra people will have enjoyed the multi cultural retailers and businesses that are unique to Leith Walk. 

Graham Russell - Business Coordinator Leith Walk & West End

Tel - 01721 721 200.   Mob - 07853 275 222
 
More Articles...
<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>

Page 1 of 2