Five things you need to know today

Phyllis Stephen

March 17, 2025 7:00 am

434

Fire on Sunday is latest in gang turf war

An early morning inferno at an Edinburgh garage is the third blaze in two weeks to be linked to a dangerous gangland vendetta.

Firefighters were called to the property at Milton Road East near Portobello early this morning after reports that a car repair business was ablaze.

The garage and the adjoined home is owned by an individual linked to a jailed gangster – as are two other properties which were set ablaze in Musselburgh and Leith.

Time for the Edinburgh South Sub?

Event tonight by Heriot Watt students who want to revive the Edinburgh South Sub

There will be a presentation on Monday 17 March at 7pm at The Waiting Room pub just opposite Morningside Clock. This will be followed by a Q&A.

Please notify the Heriot-Watt comms team on mediaenquiries@hwac.uk if you wish to attend.

The Big Wheel – to be or not to be

There has been much talk over plans to extend the time the Big Wheel is sited in East Princes Street Gardens from three months to the period from 1 June 2025 to 3 January 2026.

The Edinburgh Reporter has been told that this was not an application as such, but an idea that event producers, UniqueAssembly, wanted to explore with the council to find out if it was viable. The viability of such a project would be relevant to both the council and the producers. Instead the council sent out details as though it was a planning application of some kind to various stakeholders.

A spokesperson for Unique Assembly said: “A proposal to discuss the feasibility to present the Edinburgh Big Wheel during summer was submitted through the Public Spaces Application process, but we appreciate there are many factors which need to be considered to see if this is a viable proposition for the city as a summer attraction.

“As part of our feasibility exercise, we await feedback from the application process next week, to see if there is any desire from The City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) for further dialogue.”

We heard from Tollcross Community Council, one of the stakeholders, who were contacted by the council about the idea, and the community council has lodged an objection with the department which deals with events in public spaces.

Their objection states that the construction of the big wheel would “seriously detract from the views” of listed buildings or national monuments and that to place such a structure of similar size next to the A listed Scott Monument would be “cultural vandalism”. In addition the community council feel that the loss of space for the public in East Princes Street Gardens for six months is “unacceptable”. They believe that to site the structure for this long is very different from the length of time it takes to set up and take down the Christmas structures which in all is about three months.

MPs debating WASPI compensation

MPs will have the opportunity later today to debate compensation for women affected by pension changes. All affected are asked to email their MP with their views and comments.

MPs will debate a petition relating to compensation for women affected by state pension changes.

Watch the debate (from 4.30pm, Monday 17 March)
Read the debate transcript (available shortly after the conclusion of the debate).
Follow the Committee on X

Roz Savage MP, a member of the Petitions Committee, has been asked by the Committee to open the debate. MPs from all parties can take part, and the Government will send a minister to respond. As this is a petition debate there will be no vote at the end – the intention is to get a response from the government.

Cyrenians Community Pantry

This takes place every Friday at Southside Community Centre 117 Nicolson Street from 10am to 11am. There is a £1 membership fee payable on the first visit and £2.50 per shop after that.