The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Monday 5 October 2026
Summerhall demolition threat, Bruntsfield bike shop saved but owner 'heartbroken' over Canonmills closure, new £12 tourist fee at St Giles' Cathedral + revamp for narrow Morningside Road pavements
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. It's a busy start to the week. Here’s Monday's Edinburgh Minute.
🌦️ Today's weather forecast: Today will be the warmest day of the week, hitting 17C around midday. There's a chance of rain this afternoon. The rest of the week is looking fairly dry with sunny intervals. The temperature will cool down, feeling as low as 6C on Wednesday morning. - The full Met Office forecast for Edinburgh is here.
🌅 Sunrise: 7.24am. Sunset: 6.37pm.
🎨 Plans have been lodged for the 'partial selective demolition' of some buildings at the Summerhall arts centre. Developer AMA (New Town) Limited has not stated which buildings it plans to knock down, but wants to redevelop part of the site into a hotel and student flats. - Its Pre-Application Notice is online here, and seeks permission for:
"Partial selective demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment of the site for mixed use development comprising an arts centre cultural, community and venue spaces, commercial leisure and food/drink, small retail; commercial business space for employment/office space; hotel/leisure visitor accommodation and venue spaces; residential accommodation in a blend of co-Living, student and apartments (sui generis); associated amenity space, landscaping, infrastructure and ancillary works."
- The developer, AMA (New Town) Limited, is holding a first drop-in pre-application public consultation event on Wednesday between 3pm and 7:30pm at Summerhall, where it says it will 'provide information on the proposed development and the opportunity to provide feedback.' - There's a website for the consultation here.
- Summerhall is home to more than 100 artists and businesses. Perhaps coincidentally, Summerhall Arts has issued a press release highlighting its festival successes and 'year-round support helping artists build the work that drives Scotland’s cultural life'. Within it, Sam Gough, Chief Executive of Summerhall Arts, said: "Protecting year-round cultural infrastructure and the spaces where artists can take risks is vital. The future of our festivals depends on the artists and organisations that create and develop the work long before it reaches August." - The full thing is published by North Edinburgh News.
- The new Southside councillor Ruth Elliott said: "Summerhall is an absolute pillar of community and arts in Edinburgh. The plans that have gone in might include some demolition on this site. It's really important that you make your voice heard on what the future of Summerhall should look like."
- Thanks to the Southside Community Council for being first to flag this up on Instagram.
🪧 Here are the latest updates on the University of Edinburgh strikes, today entering the second of five weeks of walkouts:
- The uni has warned staff and students against 'personally threatening behaviour towards members of our community' during ongoing strikes. - Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco, The Herald.
- More than 3,000 members of the University and College Union (UCU) have formed picket lines across the city, and students who email lecturers are receiving automatic replies telling them that the recipients are 'respecting the digital picket'. - Olivia Laughton, The Observer.
- "As young people look towards a sustainable, AI-resistant career, the closure of these courses denies Scotland's creative talent the skills and training required to build successful, future-proofed careers in craft and design. To echo Joni Mitchell, we don’t know what we’ve got ’til it’s gone." - Irene Kernan, director of Craft Scotland, writing in The Scotsman.
Olivia Laughton
🔔 St Giles' Cathedral will today begin charging tourists £12 entry for the first time in its 900 year history. Free access will continue for all residents in Scotland and all under 16s. In a statement, the cathedral said: "With over 1.5 million visitors each year, St Giles' Cathedral has an organisational responsibility to ensure its longevity as a place of worship and as a key part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is Edinburgh. St Giles’ has been a site of worship for 900 years. This new model will help the Cathedral deliver meaningful and engaging experiences, where all who come can learn about the unique history and active worshipping life of the building." - More details here.
- A 'drop in donations' was first reported in 2023.
🚲 The Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative has gone in to administration, with an unconfirmed number of employees losing their jobs. The Canonmills shop is closed, but a management-led deal means its Bruntsfield shop is continuing to trade. Next year marks the employee-owned cooperative's 50th anniversary. Managing Director Alan Nestor blamed 'enormous pressures from rising costs, a challenging economy and a very difficult market', adding: "We are open. We are trading. I am heartbroken that more of our people and more of our locations could not come with us."
- Speaking to Rachel Fergusson of the Edinburgh Evening News, Mr Nestor said closing shops had been the 'most difficult thing I’ve ever done in my life'.
- Around 25 jobs have been lost, reports Donald Erskine in The Herald.
Rachel Fergusson
🚔 There are reports that a gang 'operating from a base in the Newcastle area' has been 'targeting wealthy Edinburgh families for gold'. A 36-year-old man is due to appear in court today in connection with a series of 'high-value housebreakings'. - Norman Silvester & Nicholas Malizia, Edinburgh Live.
🚦 Morningside Road's narrow pavements will be widened as part of a five-month revamp. The roadworks will be divided into three phases, as detailed in this timeline shared by Morningside Community Council.
- The council said: "While there are clear long-term benefits of improving pavements and crossings, we do appreciate that there will be disruption during the works. This is necessary to make sure we can complete the work safely and efficiently." - There's more local reaction in Rachel Fergusson's report in the Evening News.
Rachel Fergusson
🚦 Bikes make up 1 in 3 of rush-hour vehicles on George Street and Princes Street according to the latest Spokes traffic count. - Find the data published here.
🚲 There are concerns that the closure of St Mark’s Park bridge is not being treated 'with the urgency it deserves', reports Ben Seven of edi.bike.
🔑 Construction has finished on new council homes at Murrayburn Gate, in Wester Hailes, with a mix of 41 social rent and 32 mid-market rent homes. The council said the social rent homes are priced at below-market rents. - Jack Davies, Evening News.
- Residents will be moving in over the next two to three weeks. Find out more about the council's wider regeneration plans at Wester Hailes here.
🍰 Known for their pop-up mini cake shed in Musselburgh, Maisie and Sam Walker Chapman are now upgrading their business to a shop in Portobello. Maisie's Bakes is replacing the Æmilia pasta shop at 186 High Street, which is moving to number 242.
🏆 Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses have won Operator of the Year awards at the National Transport Awards in London. - Gareth Prior, British Trams Online + press releases here from Lothian Buses + Edinburgh Trams.
Karen Keith
💰 Elliot Wilson, the 12-year-old bagpipe-player who was attacked by a mob while he played the bagpipes in Princes Street Gardens last month, has handed over a cheque for more than £17,000 to his school pipe band after his fundraiser. - He shared this update on Instagram.
💥 'Residents still out of homes nearly three years after Baberton explosion' - Ben Philip & Megan Bonar, BBC Scotland News.
🏠 'Hotels, refugees, and the homeless: This man has the most difficult job in Edinburgh' - Council housing convener Tim Pogson speaks to The Herald's Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco.
🏆 'Banana flats renovation works win national architecture award despite work still ongoing' - Kevin Quinn, Evening News.
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🏛️ Summerhall Public Consultation: Wed 7th October 15:00-19:00 - 'A public drop-up will unveil project plans on Wed 7th October 2026 15:00-19:00 for the future of the building. If you’ve ever enjoyed a show, exhibition, wedding, gig or pint at Summerhall, come along and give your opinion on the future of the site.' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🏞️ SAVE RIVERRESCUES - 'RiverRescues, Scotland's main Reptile and exotic pet rescue is being evicted! After the building they reside in, St Margarets house on London Road, was sold to become another student accommodation for Edinburgh.' - More details here, shared by RiverRescues Animal Sanctuary.
📊 Do you live in the Old Town? If so, fill out this anonymous short survey about screen tourism! - 'I am a 4th year Geography student at the University of Aberdeen gathering data for my dissertation, which is exploring the impacts of screen tourism on businesses and residents in the Old Town. If you live in the Old Town please do the survey below!' - More details here, shared by Emma.
🎶 Edinburgh Kevock Choir open evening - 'Try singing with a leading mixed voice choir, and hopefully join us for our 60th anniversary season! All voice ranges welcome; no music reading ability needed. Buddying system to help you feel at home. Check out our link. (Deadline: 05 Oct)' - More details here, shared by Peter Nicholson, Kevock Choir.
🧠 Reduced-fee First Sessions for Anxiety & ADHD - 'Struggling with focus, procrastination, or constant worry? As part of my autumn intake, I’m offering a limited number of reduced-fee first sessions for Edinburgh Minute readers to experience how I work and see whether we’re a good fit. (Deadline: 31 Oct)' - More details here, shared by Emily Yao Therapy.
🌻 Scarecrow Trail Willowbrae [Until Wed]
Today, Mon 05 October - 'Follow the map to discover 20+ amazing characters hidden amongst our neighbourhood gardens. Free and fun for all! (Donations gratefully received for Parsons Green Primary School). Map and more via link provided!'
9am to 7pm | Meadowfield Park · Willowbrae | FREE - More details here, shared by Hilary Roberts, Parsons Green Parent Council.
🎬 Morningside Film Club with CinemaAttic
Tomorrow, Tue 06 October - 'The second session of our Film Club at Morningside Library (Edinburgh) will take place on Tuesday 6th October! This month's session will focus on our Colombia, Presente! programme with six contemporary Colombian short films.'
2pm to 4pm | Morningside Library · Morningside | FREE - More details here, shared by CinemaAttic.
🌳 Sprucing up London Road Gardens - bring a head-torch!
Tomorrow, Tue 06 October - 'Our next clean-up pit stop is the park at London Road Gardens and its environs (meet outside the Herringbone restaurant). Kit provided! And Jeremiah's Taproom for a social drink after. Please note the earlier time of 6.30 and bring a head torch! :)'
6.30pm to 7.30pm | Herringbone Abbeyhill · Abbeyhill & Meadowbank | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Trash Club.
🌼 Friends of Inch Park AGM
Tomorrow, Tue 06 October - 'The AGM is open to the public. We invite anyone interested to attend and join the committee or find out what we do. We aim to enhance the park and promote biodiversity eg Planted wild flowers and two orchards, cleared up Braidburn of invasive species'
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Inch House Community Centre · Cameron Toll | FREE - More details here, shared by Mr P Darby, Friends of Inch Park.
🇧🇻 Three Men in a Knitting Knot - Nordic Style!
Tomorrow, Tue 06 October - 'Expert knitters Freddie Garforth, Will Wakeley and Ardeshir Ehteshami in conversation about their passion for Nordic knitting traditions. Bring along your 'strikkeskatter' - your Norwegian knitting treasures - and let's get the conversation going!'
7pm to 9pm | Consulate General of Norway · Tollcross | £3 (at door) - More details here, shared by Norwegian Scottish Association.
🧘♂️ Online Zoom Forum: Contemplation and Action - 'Online Zoom Forum: Contemplation and Action: Balancing Interiority and Exteriority for Effective Action in the World. There will be six talks, each of 12 minutes, followed by discussion and Q & A. Wednesday 7 October 2026. 7pm-9pm (UK time).' - More details here, shared by Neill Walker, Edinburgh International Centre for Spirituality and Peace.
🎲 Wargames Workshop
Wed 07 October - 'Wargames Workshop is an event to make and play new wargames in a friendly, supportive environment. Buzz #4 on the Sandstone Building intercom (beside Kiki's Café). Ramp/elevator available for access. All warmly welcome!'
6pm to 10pm | Ancient Robot Workshop · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Tanya Floaker.
🎶 HUMAN TRAFFIC (1999) + 1990s DJ Session
Wed 07 October - 'A night of cinema celebrating club culture hedonism. Enjoy cult 90s movie HUMAN TRAFFIC followed by a DJ Session inspired by the film: Orbital, Fatboy Slim, Dilinja and more... Student tickets available. Nothing but bangers, bruv. 🎧'
7pm to 1am | The Voodoo Rooms · New Town | from £7 - More details here, shared by Cinetopia.
🕊️ Becoming Benjamin Lay: Film screening and discussion
Wed 07 October - 'This documentary explores the life of 18th-century abolitionist Quaker Benjamin Lay, followed by reflective discussion at the Quaker Meeting House. All are welcome!'
7pm to 9pm | The Quaker Meeting House · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Central Edinburgh Quakers.
🎃 The Haitors: A New Murderous Comedy Show
Wed 07 October - 'It's Hot Fuzz meets wink murder meets LIVE comedy. Six peaceful villagers, two murderous Haitors. Watch Scotland's best and brightest comedians fight for their lives with gameplay, trickery and a whole lot of laughs. You won't want to miss it!'
7pm to 10pm | The Stand Comedy Club · New Town | £12, £10 concession - More details here, shared by Get Your Goat Comedy.
🎭 Leith Theatre Fundraiser with Irvine Welsh
Sat 10 October - 'Catch Irvine Welsh's PORNO on stage at 14:30, or dance the night away from 20:00 with Irvine Welsh & local DJs. These events are fundraisers for Leith Theatre. Come along & support the venue!💙 Use code 'LOCAL' for money off both (separate tickets).'
2.30pm to 12am | Leith Theatre · Leith | £25 - More details here, shared by Leith Theatre.
🎉 Underground Solution Records 30th Birthday Party
Sat 10 October - 'Join us to celebrate our 30 years at the heart of Edinburgh's record-loving community with a night of live electronica and DJs across 2 iconic venues on Sat 10th Oct . The Mash House (7-10pm) then La Belle Angele (11pm-3am). Tickets only £12 in adv.'
7pm to 3am | The Mash House · Old Town | 12.00 - More details here, shared by George Macdonald, Underground Solution.
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🚊 Tram Trains for Edinburgh - Reopen the South Sub!
Mon 12 October - 'Come and find out how we can dramatically improve public transport to Craigmillar, Duddingston & Niddrie, by reopening the South Sub. Short presentation and Q&A - your chance to quiz us'
6pm to 7.30pm | Craigmillar Library · Craigmillar & Niddrie | FREE - More details here, shared by Tram Trains for Edinburgh.
Remember you can always see all 220+ upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps. Thanks to everyone who shares their things!
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🌴 Events in the restored Botanics Palm Houses.
- 🚲 Gig economy hubs plan for delivery riders.
- 🍟 Leith Walk's Deep Sea chippy shuts after 100+ years in business.
- 🪧 University staff & student strikes coverage in The Guardian.
- 🌊 More By The Shore campaign to support businesses in Leith & Newhaven.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 1,012.
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