2013_12_8 Commander Hadfield 7

Something Christmassy to do today – Rocket Man comes to Edinburgh – Scottish Provident building – Be cabwise! – St Ninian’s Church 

Our Christmas suggestion for you today is to get tickets for Limbo in St Andrew Square. The show is heart stopping and fast, with only a handful of multi-talented performers who manage tofill the Spiegeltent with an action-packed energetic show.

There are no cheap seats left for the show tonight, but there are other tickets available on the website here.

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Commander Chris Hadfield was in Edinburgh earlier in the week, and part of his visit included a visit to Liberton High School where he seemed to be shadowed by the First Minister.

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The planners at the City Chambers have decided to allow demolition of the former Scottish Provident building in St Andrew Square which, although only built in the 1960s,  is B-listed. Part of the £35m development will allow reconstruction of the existing facade and the rearrangement of the interior to make the whole scheme a more attractive proposition to possible tenants.

The status of the property on the Buildings at Risk register has now been increased to Critical.

The Cockburn Association said:-“This week we were disappointed that the decision has been taken to demolish the B-listed Scottish Provident building on St Andrew Square. The building is not loved by everyone but it has been listed for a reason and we question the value of listing buildings if it is going to be so easy to demolish them.”

The full details of what will be done to the building during the proposed redevelopment are in the report below. Part of the plan is to introduce 75,000 square feet of retail space at ground floor level which the planners suggest will offer more retail opportunity and will link the shops at Princes Street to those around St James Shopping Centre.

The site has been empty now for 10 years, and this permission will allow for more first class office space which the city have already determined is in short supply. The matter will now be referred to the Scottish Ministers for final approval.

Click to access Item_9-1.2_3_8_St_Andrew_Square_1303955lbc.pdf

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An SNP MSP has urged Christmas revellers – particularly women – to be ‘cabwise’ this Christmas and has encouraged all licensed taxis and pre-booked private hires to adopt a single woman policy. Some companies in Edinburgh have a policy where they will prioritise a pick up for a woman if she is on her own.
Colin Keir, the Edinburgh Western MSP who previously sat on Edinburgh Council’s Regulatory Committee – which deals with taxi and private hire licensing – said:-“At this time of year there is always an increase in the number of people using taxis at the end of an evening out. This is certainly the season to be jolly but we shouldn’t let that extra Christmas spirit mean taking ill-advised decisions about getting home.

“Many people are unaware that private hire cars are not taxis and so all bookings should be made to reputable companies, so that the details of the call can be logged for auditing and safety reasons.

“It is excellent to hear that some of Edinburgh’s taxi companies operate a single woman policy and I would urge for all firms across Scotland to adopt the same strategy.

“Private hires should always be booked in advance and never picked up off the street. When the taxi arrives, check the driver knows the name of the booking and is not an illegal driver trying their luck.

“Getting into an unlicensed vehicle is essentially the same as taking a lift from a stranger, so I am urging people to have fun but stay safe.”

 

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St Ninian’s Church in Corstorphine is throwing open its doors today for anyone who wants a quiet place to reflect, pray or meditate between 10:00 and 15:00. One way to escape from the Christmas crowds!

More details here.

 

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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.