Increase in demand for office space – Wedding Open Day at the Castle – New Professor of Computing at Edinburgh Napier – Tolpuddle Martyrs Story – Register now for The Moonwalk 2014
Property advisers CKD Galbraith report significant signs of improvement in the commercial office sector as Edinburgh sees its strongest quarterly uptake in office space since the start of the recession in 2008.
The independent Scottish property consultancy found that overall take up in Q3 (July to September 2013) will be in excess of 270,000 sq ft – a 225% increase on the previous quarter (at approximately 120,000 sq ft).
Significant lettings in the city include
West Edinburgh
· 85,000 sq ft at 3 Lochside Avenue (whole building) to Sainsbury’s Bank
· 33,000 sq ft to Jardine Lloyd Thompson at 7 Lochside Avenue.
Edinburgh City centre
· 55,000 sq ft at Capital House to Bank of New York Mellon
· 32,000 sq ft at Atria One to PwC
· Skyscanner have taken the remaining landlord space at Quartermile One.
Michael Clements, marketing agent at CKD Galbraith, said: “The level of uptake this quarter has demonstrated that there is a strong demand for high quality Grade A accommodation in the Edinburgh market.
“However, these recent lettings have further eroded the supply of this type of premium office space, which is now extremely tight in the city centre.
“With little new development underway and several larger requirements in the market, it is likely that supply will tighten further in the short term, which should result in increased rental levels, reduced incentives and potentially some further pre-letting activity on other schemes in the city.”
He continued: “If this trend continues, we could shortly see the Edinburgh market flip back from being a tenant’s market to a landlord’s market.”
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If love is in the air and wedding bells are on the horizon, why not come to the stunning location of Edinburgh Castle and join us at our Wedding Open Day on Saturday 19th October 2013?
The Open Day will take place from 11:00 to 16:00 and will showcase Edinburgh Castle’s four wonderful wedding venues.
These include St Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest building in Edinburgh, dating back to the 12thcentury, perfect for anyone planning a small, intimate wedding and the stunning setting of the Queen Anne building, which can accommodate 120 wedding guests and up to 170 for an evening reception.
Exhibitors on the day to help you plan your perfect day include a florist, a photographer, a wedding cake specialist, a clarsach player and a wedding band.
Nick Finnigan, Executive Manager of Edinburgh Castle said: “Edinburgh Castle has to be one of the most romantic locations in Scotland. With its fascinating history, iconic setting and panoramic views across the city of Edinburgh, the castle is the ultimate wedding venue.
“During the Open Day, we will be offering booking incentives for all 2014 and 2015 weddings in the Queen Anne Building, The Gatehouse Suite and also the Jacobite Room. Come along and discuss your options with our Weddings Event Team who will be only too happy to offer advice.”
All guests will be asked to pre-register in advance of the day on our website atwww.edinburghcastle.gov.uk . You will be asked to give the lead name of the wedding party and how many will be attending the Open Day with you. On arrival you will be given free tickets in order to gain entry into Edinburgh Castle.
When you arrive on the Esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, please cross the Drawbridge and make your way into the main entrance area.
Ticket are available for collection from 10:45 until 3:00 pm from The Gatehouse. This is accessed by entering the door immediately to the right as you have crossed the Drawbridge and up the spiral stairs and will be clearly sign-posted.
The Gatehouse is also the first point on the self guided tour of our wedding areas.
Edinburgh Castle team members will be based in the Gatehouse on the day and will issue you with an Edinburgh Castle map of the wedding areas.
There will be four venues to visit:
The Gatehouse Suite – Suitable for religious, civil ceremony, civil partnership and humanist ceremonies. Maximum x 40 guests for ceremony & drinks reception, or x 20 for seated lunch / dinner.
The Jacobite Room – Available for evening receptions only. Maximum seated dinner capacity x 100. Maximum evening reception / dancing capacity x 150.
St Margaret’s Chapel – Religious ceremonies only. Maximum capacity x 25 guests (or 30 with 5 guests standing at the back)
The Queen Anne Building – Religious, civil ceremonies, civil partnerships & humanist ceremonies. Maximum ceremony & wedding breakfast capacity x 120. Maximum evening reception / dancing capacity x 170.
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A games guru, who helped create the Harry Potter™ and Disney Infinity™ computer games, has joined Edinburgh Napier University as a Professor of Computing.
Kenny Mitchell, who is head of research for Disney UK, will split his time between lecturing students and working on research projects with the University’s Institute for Informatics and Digital Innovation.
At The Walt Disney Company, he has contributed to the recently launched Disney Infinity™ franchise, which includes video games and toys from Pirates of the Caribbean™, Incredibles™ and Monsters University™ properties. Previously, at Electronic Arts he was a highest ranked lead programmer on the Harry Potter™ franchise and contributed to Steven Spielberg’s BAFTA award winning puzzle game, BOOM BLOX™.
Kenny, who attended Lanark Grammar School during its 800th year, then gained 6 Highers at Biggar High School, and completed his PhD at Edinburgh Napier, said: “I am thoroughly looking forward to engaging my knowledge and contacts with a new generation of talented innovators”.
“Scotland has a well-earned reputation within the global games industry and the higher education sector is a very important part of that ongoing success story. Part of my role will be acting as bridge between academia and the industry to help improve commercial links at a local level.”
Professor Mitchell specialises in high-end graphics technologies and has a particular interest in researching the commercial opportunities afforded by the Future Internet. One of these initiatives includes this week’s launch of the Future Internet project by the European Commission, Disney and 17 other partners. It aims to encourage collaboration on new content for social connected TV, smart city services and pervasive, location-based games.
“As a graduate who holds some of the most senior research roles in the UK, Kenny is a brilliant role model and an inspiration to our students,” said Professor Jessie Kennedy, Director of the Institute for Informatics and Digital Information.
“His academic ability and creativity allied to his extensive contacts in the entertainment industry, both in the UK and globally, make him a fantastic addition to the Institute. We are extremely pleased to welcome him back to the University.”
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Gilmerton Community Centre and Arts South Edinburgh are hosting the production of WE WILL BE FREE TOLPUDDLE MARTYRS STORY at the Gilmerton Society Hall for one night only as part of their national tour.
The play was on at the Assembly Rooms during the festival and got great reviews (The Edinburgh Reporter gave it 5 stars!)
For more information phone Pauline Fordyce Community Learning & Development Worker on 0131 664 2220. Or tickets can be purchased or booked form Lilian at Gilmerton Community centre.
Gilmerton Society Hall
Thursday 24 October 2013
7.30pm
Tickets:£5 and £3.00 Centre users/con
Box Office Tel 0131 664 2335
Collect tickets form Gilmerton Community Centre
4 Drum Street Edinburgh.
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Kapow! Entries for The MoonWalk Scotland 2014 are now open! Scotland’s original and iconic night-time walking challenge will be held at Inverleith Park, Edinburgh on Saturday 7th June 2014.
Thousands of women and men wearing brightly decorated bras will enjoy the unique party atmosphere, as they take on a Power Walking challenge at Midnight, to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. “Superheroes” has been revealed as the thrilling theme for the Edinburgh event, organised by grant-making breast cancer charity Walk the Walk.
So – who’s your Superhero? Wonder Woman or Superman? Robert the Bruce or Sir Chris Hoy? Mary Doll or Rab C Nesbitt? Walk the Walk is expecting some crazy creations, as walkers are inspired to decorate their bras, by people or characters who’ve inspired them.
The MoonWalk Scotland has raised in excess of £16 million over the last eight years, with most of the money staying in Scotland, to help improve the lives of people with cancer.
There is a Power Walking distance available at The MoonWalk for every age and ability, so now the whole family, the whole office or even the whole school class can join in the night of fun! Youngsters aged from just ten years old will feel “superhuman” when they complete the 6.55 miles New Moon, staged for the first time in 2013. People of all ages are being encouraged to sign up for the challenge, which has been introduced to help kick start fitness regimes and to offer the MoonWalk experience to a much wider group of people.
Walk the Walk’s famous Half Moon (13.1 miles) and Full Moon (26.2 miles) are still available, as is the tough 52.4 miles Over The Moon challenge. Incredibly, dozens of women and men bravely completed The MoonWalk Scotland’s first ever Over the Moon in 2013, an amazing feat, worthy of a superhero!
Entries for The MoonWalk Scotland 2014 are now open here
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
