The Edinburgh Minute ⏰: Weekend edition 10-12 Nov 2023

🍂  Good morning Edinburgh. It’s a chilly start out there. Saturday will also be clear weather-wise and Sunday is forecast to be misty. There’s a busy weekend ahead in town. Here’s your weekend Edinburgh Minute, followed by the weekend guide for paying subscribers. 

🚨  Five people were arrested after pro-Palestinian protesters climbed up on to the Scottish Parliament building. A Palestinian flag was attached to the outside of the building along with a banner which read ‘Stop arming Israel’. - Calum Loudon, STV News.
  ⮑  After being arrested some of the protestors spoke exclusively to James Walker in The National.
  ⮑  A demonstration calling for ceasefire will meet at noon on Saturday at Waverley Bridge. 

🕊  Remembrance events are happening at locations across Edinburgh this weekend: 
  ⮑  There is a round up of services, ceremonies and events in this Herald piece by Ginny Sanderson.
  ⮑  The city’s four universities hold their annual service commemorating students and staff who have died during wars and other conflicts while serving in the armed forces. - It starts at 10.15am at the Playfair Library in Old College.

🔐  A second case challenging Edinburgh Council's approach to regulating holiday lets has been brought before the Court of Session - as operators argue requirements to obtain planning permission are "unfair". - Local Democracy Reporter Donald Turvill reports from the court.

🔥  Part of the Royal Mile was closed yesterday as firefighters put out a blaze in a ground floor flat. - Beth Franklin, STV News.

🚍  A bus lane camera on Calder Road has been cut down, reports Logan Walker in Edinburgh Live.

☕️  Owners of Viewforth-based Kafe Kweer have warned they have two months left to survive. - They’ve outlined ways people can help in this Instagram post. 

“If there’s no significant change soon, we will have to shut our doors within two months. No Kafe Kweer in the new year, no events, no coffees and pastries, no chats with you beautiful people from all over the world.” 

🎭  A total of 37 theatre companies that appeared at Pleasance venues at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe are having to repay a combined amount worth thousands of pounds, following an administrative error at the company, reports Georgia Luckhurst in The Stage.

🖌  Edinburgh has seen a noticeable increase in graffiti sparking warnings due to ‘wannabe Banksy’ artists ‘trashing buildings and communities’, reports Jolene Campbell in the Evening News.

💰  The council says 12,000 people working in Edinburgh are now on the Living Wage after a record breaking year of businesses signing up for accreditation.

🌯  Councillors have rejected Taco Bell’s application for a ventilation system at the former Bank of Scotland in Picardy Place. “Whether Taco Bell continues to show interest in operating from this property remains to be seen,” reports The Spurtle.

👚  Uniqlo is recruiting for staff ahead of its Spring 2024 opening on Princes Street. - Phyllis Stephen, The Edinburgh Reporter.

🚄  The East Coast Main Line is to get a fleet of new LNER trains which can run on battery power, electricity and diesel. They will run alongside the existing Hitachi Azuma trains. - Jim Scott, BBC Scotland News.

🗣  "You are quickly becoming my trusted go to place for what is happening locally. Fabulously curated. Keep up the excellent work." - Louise. Read more from other paying subscribers here.

🏗  The former headquarters of Sight Scotland on Gillespie Crescent could become a 145-bed student flats development. - Jacob Farr, Edinburgh Live.

🏠  Edinburgh tops a national list of the most expensive places to rent outside of London, based on analysis by SpareRoom. - Jessica Lindsay, Metro.

🔥  Sunday’s violent scenes in Niddrie have produced some think-pieces in the papers this week. This one in The National’s Common Weal column is written by somebody who lives in the area. They ask:

“Why do we have an area in Edinburgh that is, year on year, one of the most deprived areas in the city, continually to turn violent on this day? The demonisation of the working class has long been rife, and branding the young people of Niddrie as morons, as some leaders have done, doesn’t help matters. It is our job to prove to the young people of Niddrie that there is a place for them, not the other way round.”

🏊‍♀️  Edinburgh Swim Studio on Thistle Street North West Lane has been put up for sale. - Katie Williams, Edinburgh Live.

🥔  The Telegraph’s restaurant critic William Sitwell reviews Heron, at The Shore: ‘The plate of the night? A hasselback potato’.

📆  Things to do this weekend:

🖼  The Grayson Perry exhibition at the National Galleries of Scotland closes on Sunday. - Tickets are required.

🛍  Leith Arches hosts a sustainable fashion show on Sunday afternoon/evening showcasing local designers’ work.

🎶  🪩  EHFM faves Josh and Laura, AKA Vinyl Voyages, are celebrating their seventh birthday with a vinyl-only funk, soul and disco night at The Wee Red Bar on Sunday afternoon/evening. They’re also the brains behind the Umbrella Vinyl store. Thanks to Laura for getting in touch, who added: “It’s for people who want to have a positive club/dance experience on a Sunday evening and still be fresh for the working week!” - Details and tickets on RA.