Jodie Fraser photographed by Jonathan Bowcott

In a bid to spotlight the voices of extraordinary women from across the globe, Women’s Business Club has launched the eagerly anticipated Top 10 Voices competition. Aimed at providing a platform for women to share their unique journeys and insights, this initiative promises to amplify diverse perspectives and inspire audiences worldwide.

The competition invites women from all walks of life to submit a compelling 250-word pitch explaining why they or their nominee should be featured. With the promise of reaching thousands of listeners through dedicated podcast episodes and digital magazine spotlights, the Top 10 Voices competition offers participants an unparalleled opportunity to elevate their stories on a global stage.

“We firmly believe that every woman possesses a distinctive voice and perspective worthy of recognition,” emphasised Angela De Souza, CEO of the Women’s Business Club. “With this competition, our goal is to celebrate the triumphs of women entrepreneurs and leaders, igniting inspiration among the upcoming generation of female trailblazers. It’s not about spotlighting celebrities or echoing media trends; rather, it’s about uncovering the remarkable achievements of women who may not yet be in the limelight but are making significant contributions within their communities.”

The Top 10 Voices competition not only seeks to showcase the talent and resilience of women but also aims to foster connections within the business community. Participants stand to expand their networks by connecting with like-minded professionals, mentors, and influencers in their respective fields.

As the deadline for submissions approaches, anticipation builds among women eager to make their mark and inspire others. With recognition and awards awaiting the chosen Top 10 Voices, the competition promises to be a catalyst for empowerment and positive change in the business world.

The prize package for the Top 10 Voices includes:

• Featured in the Women’s Business Voice Podcast episodes with a wide audience reach.
• Highlighted in the Women’s Business Magazine, sharing their story with a broader audience.
• Exclusive badges and certificates recognising their achievement as one of the Top 10 Voices.

For more information on how to enter the Top 10 Voices competition, visit the Women’s Business Club website at https://news.womensbusiness.club/top10-voices

Stay tuned for updates as Women’s Business Voice continues to empower women to share their stories and make a difference in the world.

Three stores closed each day in Scotland in 2023, with two new stores opening, according to the latest data from PwC and The Local Data Company (LDC) – resulting in net closures of one store per day.

The bi-annual research tracks over 200,000 outlets in over 3,500 locations to gain a picture of the changing landscape of high streets, retail parks, shopping centres and stand alone outlets.

Throughout 2023, 1,069 stores north of the border closed their doors, while 732 were opened – resulting in a net loss of 337 shops and outlets belonging to multiples and chains (those with five or more outlets).

With the overall reduction at -2.1%, Scotland’s closure rate in 2023 is around one third higher than the 2022 rate of -1.4%, but remains lower than the period between 2017 and 2021 (when closures peaked at a rate of -4.1% in 2021) during a difficult period for retailers. It is also marginally lower than the Great Britain average of -2.3%.

The analysis shows that retail parks remain the most resilient outlet type, demonstrating a 0.3% increase in the number of outlets across Great Britain, while standalone stores – as well as those in shopping centres and high streets – all experienced net closers (-2.0%, -2.5% and -3.0%, respectively).

Despite the overall decline, the hospitality sector has seen a notable rebound, leading to a surge in new store openings. PwC and LDC’s data shows that five of the top seven new opening categories were in the hospitality sector, with takeaways, food-to-go, cafés, coffee shops and restaurants flourishing in 2023.

Also among the top new opening categories were supermarkets and petrol stations, with the latter thanks to a growing demand for EV charging stations.

Ross Marshall, Partner at PwC Scotland, said:

“Our research shows that, despite the continuing annual reduction of stores across Scotland, there is a willingness from business to invest in physical outlets, with two new stores opening per day for every three closed throughout 2023.

“It demonstrates the continuing evolution of our high streets, retail parks and shopping centres with a real shift towards out of town and retail park locations and a resurgence in the hospitality sector – demonstrating that ‘café culture’ is going nowhere. Across Scotland in the last few months alone, a variety of new eateries and bars have opened their doors, and entrepreneurs are making the most of the franchise model to bring big names to key Scottish locations.

“This willingness to invest in bricks and mortar for shoppers is encouraging – especially given that PwC research shows the majority of those aged 35 and under prefer in-person experiences, and that consumers generally believe that stores beat online when it comes to customer service and after-sales service.”

Full-service legal firm Gilson Gray is celebrating a landmark win on behalf of its client, US-based private equity house Lime Rock Partners, following the successful defence of a multi-million-dollar court case.  

The claim, raised in the Court of Session in Edinburgh by prominent oil and gas businessman Robert Kidd, was understood to be the single biggest damages claim in Scottish legal history. 

The case centred on an investment deal involving ITS Tubular Services, a North Sea drilling company set up by Mr Kidd in 1989. A minority stake in the company was sold to Lime Rock in 2009. Mr Kidd had made a number of allegations arising from that deal. In his decision, issued by senior Court of Session judge, Lord Tyre, Mr Kidd’s claim was dismissed in its entirety with Lime Rock winning on every point.

A team of litigation and dispute resolution specialists from Gilson Gray acted for Lime Rock, including Alex Garioch, Fraser Cameron, and Iain Grant, all of whom welcomed the judge’s decision last week.

Alex Garioch, partner at Gilson Gray, said: “In what was the highest value commercial litigation case in Scottish history, we were delighted that our client’s position was entirely vindicated. We at Gilson Gray are proud to have successfully represented such a high-profile client in an extremely complex litigation. In this case, our team’s experience in the oil and gas sector complemented our litigation and dispute resolution work to reach such a positive outcome for our client.”  

Forth Ports has submitted an application for Planning Permission in Principle (PPP) to The City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) for Harbour 31, an exciting new housing, commercial and retail development on a 4.7 acre waterfront site at The Port of Leith.

The proposed redevelopment of the site, close to the new FirstStage film studio, will provide 337 new homes including studios, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments – which will be in line with the CEC’s approved affordable housing policy – and approximately 244sqm of commercial space.

The apartments will be formed over a four-plot development with heights ranging from five to eight storeys with a focus on communal green spaces for the residents to enjoy and integrated sustainable travel options.

Harbour 31 is situated to the south of Edinburgh Dock within the Port of Leith and is currently used for industrial port activities. It is located close to existing and other proposed residential developments and the extended Edinburgh tram network.

The redevelopment of this area of Leith represents an exciting opportunity to create a new neighbourhood while providing high quality architecture, landscaping and public space which will enhance the city’s connection to the waterfront.

As well as benefiting from the recently opened tram extension with a tram stop designed for The Port of Leith, the proposed development will include a new transport corridor to encourage sustainable modes of transport including a bus route, cycle lane and walking route linking Bath Road to Ocean Way. The apartments will all have access to bike storage.

There will be car parking provision, given the location of the site and the excellent public transport provision and local amenities in the vicinity, car parking provision will be around 20% and include accessible parking spaces and be EV ready.

Pamela Smyth, Chief Legal and Property Officer, of landowners Forth Ports Group, said: “At Harbour 31 we want to create a vibrant new quarter for people to live and work in, as new green jobs come to Leith. The port is transitioning into Scotland’s largest renewables hub and, coupled with the benefits which will be unlocked as part of the Forth Green Freeport, Leith will be completely regenerated.

“With the option to walk or cycle to work or get the tram into the city centre, this new neighbourhood will be a key part of the continued regeneration of Leith.”

In addition, an application has been made for listed building consent for works associated with alterations to Edinburgh Dock for the provision of surface drainage for the proposed development.

The site sits on a dockside location and fits well with the Council’s Local Development Plan for a housing-led, mixed-use development. The proposals have been designed by Comprehensive Design Architects (CDA), an award-winning practice based in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The recent redevelopment of the former Holyrood Hotel to the new Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood has resulted in the property donating more than £11,000 worth of quality furniture, from armchairs and artwork to televisions and desks to Edinburgh-based charity Scottish Veterans Residences (SVR), following the completion of an extensive refurbishment. 

 

The charity – a registered housing support service based at Whitefoord House, within the City’s UNESCO site in the Old Town – provides supported housing for former members of the UK Armed Forces and their services are available to anyone who has served in HM Forces, Reserve Forces or Merchant Marine, regardless of age or length of service, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

 

The team have welcomed Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood’s donation as a vital contribution to their services. Kirsty Smeaton Brown, SVR’s Residence Manager at Whitefoord House, said: “The donation is a welcome surprise and addition to the Whitefoord House site, which will enhance our communal and living areas. We are delighted to be able to make such good use of recycled high-quality furniture and our residents and staff are very grateful for this thoughtful and community-spirited donation.”

 

The hotel, also located in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic old town is now under new ownership and showcasing the renowned Marriott Hotel standards to their guests. The hotel’s interiors have been refurbished to the tune of £10m and as a result, the existing furniture from the Holyrood property was recycled and donated to the Residences to support their community. 

 

Michael Falla, General Manager of Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood, commented: 

 

“The relaunch of Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood marked a long and exciting development for the City and the Marriott brand. The hotel team’s hard work and commitment took the Hotel to the next stage of its journey, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to serve our local community.

 

“We are very proud to be able to play our part in the incredibly worthwhile mission Scottish Veterans Residences fulfil daily and the support they offer to former members of the UK Armed Forces by donating the furniture we replaced during the refurbishment.”

 

Scottish Veterans Residences also operate at Rosendael, Dundee and Bellrock Close, in the East End of Glasgow.

 

To learn more about Scottish Veterans Residences and to donate directly, visit https://www.svronline.org

 

For more information on the newly refurbished Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood, visit  www.marriott.com/edimh

DWF, the global provider of integrated legal and business services, has added solicitor advocate Laura McCabe as partner to its Scottish litigation team.

Specialising in advocacy, Laura McCabe joins DWF after almost 5 years at Anderson Strathern. She brings 14 years of expertise in appearance work to her new role and has broad experience in most aspects of civil and commercial litigation. From fatal accident inquiries and enforcement notice appeals to Court of Session commercial actions, she appears in the sheriff courts and tribunals of Scotland regularly.

Laura has particular experience in contentious health and safety matters and was recognised in the 2024 Legal 500 and the 2024 Chambers and Partners Scotland Health and Safety rankings where she was listed as an “Up and Coming Lawyer”. Her work also includes general commercial work, negligence, insolvency, regulatory and numerous public sector matters and has acted for corporates and public bodies across varying sectors and practice areas.

Laura has also tutored Civil Litigation on the Diploma in Legal Practice at the University of Strathclyde and continues to tutor Commercial Litigation on the Professional Legal Practice Diploma at the University of Edinburgh.

Commenting on Laura’s appointment, Stefan Paciorek, global head of dispute resolution at DWF, said: “DWF is delighted to welcome Laura as a valuable new addition to our Scottish litigation team, bringing extensive expertise and an impressive track record to her new role as partner. Her appointment not only enhances our reputation in the Scottish litigation market but will also contribute to the continued growth of our national practice.”

Laura added: “I am delighted to join DWF. The firm’s values are indicative of an inclusive culture which was particularly appealing for me to become involved in. I look forward to supporting the growth of the national practice by collaborating across the firm’s offerings throughout the UK and beyond.”

 

Donald Anderson is a former leader of Edinburgh’s city council. He says that, during his time in office, he was “unashamedly pro-development”. Here, he reflects on the recent history of a city that he believes has grown substantially in stature and where development and investment have transformed the fortunes of the city and its people.

THE subject of Edinburgh’s built environment has been hotly-debated, sometimes in a highly-charged and polarised way. There are good people on all sides of that debate, and we should respect that they all share a passion and love of the city.

Our city centre has the twin strengths of the glorious splendour of its New Town and an Old Town of startling character and beauty. Edinburgh grew rapidly from the inception of the New Town, but it still took around 80 years of development to give the city what is an undoubted triumph of urban planning. It was a ‘Golden Age’ for the city too; if not for its people, who mainly lived in the most abject poverty.

During much of the 20th century, however, the fate of the city centre was more troubled.  A report, ‘The Development of Edinburgh’, by the Company of Merchants charitable organisation, noted the “centrifugal” forces pushing residents out of the city centre with a “corresponding decrease in the (population of) city centre wards”.

It was a call for action. By the 1940s, things were considered even worse, and the council launched a ‘Lord Provost’s Commission’ on city development.  At that time, Princes Street was described in withering terms, with the report defining its mixture of a “monotonous original and chaotic modern frontage, seen in the eyes of many as irremediable”.  Large parts of the High Street were also in a state of dereliction, and homes there were described in the report as “gradually being allowed to fall into decay”.

The result in the 1950s was ‘A Civic Survey & Plan for the City & Royal Burgh of Edinburgh’ (aka the Abercrombie Plan), by planning-consultant-for-hire, Sir Patrick Abercrombie, and local city planner, Derek Plumstead. This proposed radical measures that included a new inner ring road and a complete demolition and reconstruction of Princes Street. Princes Street was to have replacement buildings that incorporated a first-floor pedestrian walkway, looking over the imagined streaming road traffic). It sounds horrific and it was. It really was.

We are indeed lucky that the policy was never fully implemented, although it wasn’t until the 1980s when the plan was formally and finally revoked. During the 1950s, the city’s dereliction and decline continued. In the city’s Southside, at the infamous ‘Penny Tenement’ – so called because the landlord failed to sell it for a single penny, a gable end collapsed whilst residents slept. Many escaped death after heeding the advice of their local councillor who advised them to sleep away from the gable end.

By the 1970s, the population of the city centre plummeted and by as much as two-thirds in the now thriving Holyrood area of the city.

A book published in the mid-’70s, ‘The Unmaking of Edinburgh’, by Helen Peacock, was excoriating. I wrote an article about it, for the Edinburgh Evening News newspaper – here. The sub-heading was revealing: ‘The decay, depopulation and destruction of central Edinburgh, and argument for city centre living and a call to action!’ The book reveals the full horror of the scale of urban blight that affected central Edinburgh in the 1970s.

Quoted in ‘The Unmaking of Edinburgh’, about the formation of the New Town Conservation Committee which was set up in the aftermath of the publication of a more famous tome, ‘The Making of Classical Edinburgh’ by A J Youngson, the then secretary of the Edinburgh heritage body, the Cockburn Association, the wonderful Oliver Barratt, described the situation, thus: “The committee was duly established and began its Herculean task of halting 200 years of decay.”

Alas, the population decline of the city continued, and that task was only to really take off fully in the 1980s. The 1980s were critical in that key parts of the Abercrombie Plan were torn up by the then Edinburgh District and Lothian Region councils. By then the tide had begun to turn, and the city centre was about to bounce back.

There was also an accidental revolution. An announcement in the early 1980s of 90 per cent repair grants by the then Conservative Government turned out to be one of the greatest – and most expensive – contributions to conservation and city centre living anywhere. The scheme was vastly oversubscribed. Over the following three decades, hundreds of millions of pounds were invested in the city’s housing stock. Council officers calculated an estimate of the total spend the repairs scheme generated and arrived at a figure of £380million, which was the equivalent of a modern City Deal, all spent on housing. One City Centre tenement with wooden beams cost £1million to upgrade on its own. The policy renewed tenements throughout the city centre and beyond.

At the same time, a tight Green Belt policy drove city centre housing development to a degree that quickly repopulated areas like the Southside, Gorgie, Dalry and Holyrood, which had emptied in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. Such was the pace of delivery I well remember people complaining that the council was creating a ‘monoculture’ of two-bedroom flats in the city centre, much as some residents complain about hotels and student housing these days.

Over the 25 years from the mid-80s, a slew of major regeneration projects took place or started in the city centre. These included the arrival of the Scottish Parliament, the creation of the Edinburgh International Conference Centre and Exchange Financial District, Harvey Nichols, Waverley Gate, Advocates Close, the council’s own HQ and, latterly, the St James Quarter development. Businesses, particularly major financial companies, were encouraged to grow and invest in the city and city centre, and they did just that until the post 2007 crash.

And students arrived in huge numbers as the city’s universities expanded. That brought increased vibrancy to many communities and gives Edinburgh an ongoing ‘brain bounce’ from those who stay. By the mid-2000s, more than a quarter of the city population was born outside Scotland. HMOs (houses in multiple occupation) have been controversial but purpose-built student accommodation has lately absorbed much of the growth in student numbers. Short-term holiday letting has grown too, and, though the population of the city centre has grown, it has changed and not always in good ways. In my opinion, not a moment too soon, short-term holiday letting is being regulated.

The built heritage and most communities of the city are in good shape. Our historic buildings in the World Heritage site are now better maintained than ever before. A recent survey by Edinburgh Council showed that just twelve buildings in the World Heritage Site remain on the ‘At Risk’ register (here) maintained by Historic Environment Scotland. Of those buildings five are part of the Royal High School campus and one is a Police Box in the Pleasance. Of the listed buildings in the world heritage site that means only 0.27% are on the ‘At Risk’ Register. That’s an astonishing achievement and surely one of the greatest achievements in restoring a city centre anywhere.

Recently, Leith was named (here) by The Sunday Times newspaper as the best place to live in the UK, something inconceivable during the ‘Trainspotting years’.

A resident of the once infamous Banana Flats in Leith commented recently in the local press (here) that “There is no deprivation as I know and remember it.”

Indeed, the Banana Flats are now Category A-listed and will be protected and preserved in a way unthinkable in the 1980s. If I could have knocked the flats down in my time as council leader and rehoused the residents in lower rise properties, I think I would have. There were other more urgent cases for demolition at Gracemount, Sighthill and Oxgangs.

There is still deprivation, there are still drug problems and people do still struggle – and people have struggled a lot more in the recent cost of living crisis, but there is very little of the chronic destitution of the past.

The city’s transformation into a year-round tourism destination has helped secure a position as arguably the strongest city economy in the UK outside London. The city’s winter festivals alongside the city’s summer festivals have made it one of the most investable tourism destinations in Europe and Edinburgh was named the world’s most sustainable tourism destination at the 30^th Annual Travel Awards in Dubai.

In Princes Street, the decline in physical retail has brought rapid and encouraging change. As a councillor for more than 20 years, I helped deliver just one major redevelopment in Princes Street, the building then occupied by clothes retailers, C&A.

Within the last five years, an array of redevelopments have started or completed that include the Johnnie Walker Visitor Centre and the redevelopment of the homes of many of the city’s traditional High Street brands including British Home Stores, Debenhams, New Look, Top Shop and of course the ‘grand old dame’ of Edinburgh shopping – Jenners – is now owned and is being lovingly redeveloped by Anders Povlsen, one of Europe’s richest people. I know of no other city outside London that is bouncing back as fast or strongly as Edinburgh. Figures from Essential Edinburgh back that view up.

Princes Street’s future is looking bright, but the changes are not yet fully visible as approved plans take time to build out in the post Covid era, which has seen construction costs rocket. The future of Princes Street is not just as a shopping street. Successful High Streets will be based on successful experiences, and Princes Street is well placed to be at the forefront of a reinvented city centre.

I’m admittedly biased, but I would argue that Edinburgh is a model of a successful regeneration and transformation. I firmly believe that, unlike Icarus, when a city economy flies high, it does not subsequently crash. Rather, what happens is that it weathers downturns far better and recovers from them far more quickly than lower-performing economies. Put simply, more people keep their jobs in a downturn and those who lose them get back into work more quickly afterwards.

Edinburgh has become a stunning economic success, and it’s a success for its residents too.  In no period in the city’s history has the population lived through a period of such relative affluence and low unemployment as in recent decades, though people are undoubtedly suffering from recent economic woes caused by rising costs, COVID, the war in Ukraine and a near constant threat of another economic downturn.

There are still huge challenges in delivering enough new homes to make them both affordable and attainable. The council’s Poverty Commission identified housing costs as the single most important factor in reducing poverty. It stated that in simple terms. “There is no solution to poverty in Edinburgh without solving the city’s housing and homelessness crisis.”

As I write the Scottish Government rent cap has stopped the delivery of ‘Build to Rent’ housing dead. Significant numbers of sites in the city have been flipped to (equally needed) Purpose Built Student Housing as investors struggle to make investments work under the new regime. On the plus side two major new applications for 10,000 new homes have been lodged in west Edinburgh, and the first housing site on the land allocated for housing Edinburgh Park has been agreed. However, the delivery of sufficient homes to both tackle housing affordability and meet the needs of a growing city looks uncertain.

The city stands on the verge of delivering two decades long ambitions in its cultural infrastructure. Plans for a new concert hall and home for The Scottish Chamber Orchestra have been approved and work has started on what is a challenging city centre site. However, it is the only viable site available for such a facility and as work has already started I am optimistic that it will be delivered. Also, a planning application has been submitted for a new arena at Edinburgh Park in the west of the city. Let me declare an interest in that project as I’m part of the development team, but my enthusiasm for the new proposals is genuine, not least because as council leader I tried twice to deliver such a facility and didn’t manage to deliver success. As Council Leader Cammy Day recently stated, “We may be seeing the last pieces of the cultural jigsaw in Edinburgh fall into place.”

There are other challenges. The Bioquarter in the city seems to be going from strength to strength. Edinburgh also needs to continue to nurture the city’s blossoming tech sector. Hopefully both can continue to thrive and help strengthen the city’s economy.

The future will always be tough, and cities will always face challenges, but Edinburgh can face that future with more confidence than the vast array of modern cities. The northern fringes of Europe are not necessarily the best of places to create a strong and dynamic city economy, but that is exactly what has been created in modern Edinburgh.

Everyone, the city’s politicians, business leaders, charities and residents should work together with the aim of building on that success to make one of the best cities in the world even better.

FirstGroup, the leading private sector transport operator, today announces that its popular open access rail service Lumo is in discussions with Transport Scotland and Network Rail to extend some of its London-Edinburgh trains to and from Glasgow.

Having identified opportunities to extend a number of daily journeys to and from Glasgow in the timetables for 2025 and beyond, work will now continue with Transport Scotland and track infrastructure manager Network Rail to agree final route options and timings ahead of an application for access rights to the Office of Rail and Road (‘ORR’), the industry regulator.

If successful, the new services could be in operation from next summer.

Lumo’s proposed new offering will improve links for customers travelling between Newcastle and Glasgow, giving people a choice of services without needing to change trains. In addition, a significant number of users of Lumo’s current London-Edinburgh trains go on to travel through to Glasgow via other connections, and through this move, Lumo aims to offer a direct through service for these customers.

These new proposals build on the success of Lumo’s all-electric services which launched in October 2021 between London and Edinburgh. Lumo’s popularity has grown over the past two years thanks to its low fare model and strong environmental credentials, and it has carried more than two million customers since launch, playing a significant part in encouraging modal shift from air to rail, bringing substantial environmental benefits and a positive impact on the economy.

FirstGroup plc Chief Executive Officer Graham Sutherland, said: “We are very pleased to be looking at options to grow our popular Lumo train service by extending the service from Edinburgh to Glasgow from next year. We have seen the level of growth and opportunity that is possible with new open access connections, including the significant environmental benefits of passengers switching to rail. We will be working closely with stakeholders as we refine this opportunity and our case for this new offering.”

Once preferred route options and timings have been agreed, discussions will continue with Network Rail and the ORR to secure the required approvals. The journeys would be operated within the existing Lumo fleet of all-electric trains and it is anticipated that the additional services could begin in summer 2025.

The former established Holyrood Hotel has relaunched today as Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood, marking the completion of an extensive £10m refurbishment. The hotel, which has been a long-standing fixture in Edinburgh’s historic old town as a Macdonald Hotels’ property, has been seamlessly integrated into Marriott’s global portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands. 

Located in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic old town, the hotel, under new ownership, has been brought up to Marriott Hotel standards with an extensive refurbishment. Marriott’s signature style is found throughout all facets of the property and guests can now enjoy an enriched experience with modern, inviting spaces. 

With nearly 600 hotels and resorts in over 65 countries and territories around the world, Marriott Hotels continues to elevate the art of hospitality and the new look Holyrood property is synonymous with Marriott’s commitment to delivering enriching experiences, modern design, heartfelt service and timeless hospitality. 

The guest journey begins with a heartfelt welcome into the new Greatroom lobby, known as the pulse of every Marriott Hotel. With space to connect, work, or unwind, this is a key feature of the refurbishment, a relaxed and sophisticated lifestyle space, bar, dining area and welcoming lobby. Perfect for guests and local residents alike to catch up over coffee or cocktails or dine from a carefully curated, locally sourced lunch and dinner menu as well as grazing and sharing platters. Afternoon tea is also served in the Greatroom.  

The hotel’s Spa and Fitness Centre, with its 14m-heated pool, infrared Sauna, and fully equipped state-of-the-art gym has also been fully renovated and upgraded for guests and members to enjoy. 

The 160 sophisticated and inviting guest bedrooms include Junior Suites, Deluxe and King Rooms with sleek wooden floors, and drench walk-in showers amongst other facilities. All rooms boast spacious en-suites, comfortable beds, cosy armchairs and 55-inch wall mounted flat screen TVs as standard.  

The city’s vibrant arts scene is reflected in the art on display and carpet designs throughout; inspired by the late Scottish artist, Edinburgh-born Sir Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi CBE RA, known for his sculpture and graphic work and widely considered to be one of the pioneers of pop art.  The local influence combines with Marriott’s modern design aesthetics, with interiors based on a cool neutral palette featuring intricate multidimensional patterns and layered textures of natural materials such as marble, sand, onyx and water with rich patterns, an intriguing design tension that provides visual interest and invites reflection.  

Media and event spaces have been redesigned and fully equipped to offer excellent new meeting facilities in the city.  Marriott’s renowned M Club Lounge also adds a new dimension to the hotel and is designed to recognise and reward Marriott Bonvoy’s Elite members. Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite status members are able to enjoy 24/7 complimentary access to a private and exclusive space for every stay. Located on the first floor, the space is light and modern with an air of relaxed formality designed to facilitate productivity, relaxation and creativity. 

Michael Falla, General Manager of Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood, commented: 

“The relaunch of Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood is an exciting development for the City and the Marriott brand. It is incredible to see the refurbishment nearing completion; bringing the aesthetic of the property and quality of service up to Marriott standards is testament to the hotel team’s hard work and commitment to take the Hotel on the next stage of its journey. Edinburgh is such a vibrant city bursting with history and culture, we’re looking forward to welcoming our new and returning guests to enjoy an elevated and enriched Marriott experience with all that the city has to offer.” 

Enjoying a prime location in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic old town, within the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Edinburgh Marriott Hotel is situated directly opposite the Scottish Parliament building, Dynamic Earth and Royal Holyroodhouse, the official residency of the monarchy in Scotland.  Holyrood is not only a short walk from Edinburgh Waverley, it’s minutes from the historic Royal Mile, Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Park so the ideal place to enjoy all that the City has to offer from its world-class visitor attractions to great shopping, walking and cycling routes in and around Edinburgh. 

Marriott Hotels is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments, and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the programme, visit marriottbonvoy.com. 

Standard rooms at Marriott Edinburgh Hotel Holyrood start from £209. The Holyrood Spa & Leisure membership is priced from £35.00 pp per month. For more information visit  www.marriott.com/edimh

Scotland’s largest independent marketing agency group, The Union Group, has succeeded in winning not one, but two highly competitive pitches, to be named as ScottishPower’s lead creative agency. Responsible for Strategic Advertising, Direct, Data and Digital Marketing, this is a major integrated win for the group, with the work sitting across both The Union and Union Direct arms of the business.

The three-year contract will see The Union and Union Direct focus on promoting ScottishPower’s energy products and services to both business and consumer audiences. The appointment will cover strategic planning, data segmentation, customer journey planning, above-the-line advertising, direct and digital marketing. The partnership begins with a UK-wide integrated campaign, spotlighting ScottishPower’s green energy technology products, from EV chargers, heat pumps and solar panels to 100% green tariffs.

Made up of five components all under one roof, the breadth of services and specialist expertise offered by The Union Group, across all key marketing disciplines has played a pivotal role in new business success. Recent wins include Lost Shore Surf Resort, which will be Europe’s largest inland surfing centre and resort. Set to open in Edinburgh in the autumn of 2024, The Union helped develop the brand and is delivering the phased rollout of the resort’s new e-commerce website.

Other wins recent include the design and build of three websites for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), a complex project bringing to life the charity’s new vision and 2030 strategy. The Union Group works with over 50 clients including Scottish Widows, Halifax, Spire Healthcare, PodFather, Police Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, VisitScotland, Elivia Homes, Worldwide Cancer Research, The Scottish Government, Business Stream and Cigna Healthcare.

Ian McAteer, Founder and Chairman, Union said: “Winning not only one but two successful competitive pitches for ScottishPower is an absolute business highlight of the year. As a group, over the last 18 months, we have been working hard to improve our internal integration, which has helped us to reinvigorate, innovate and enhance our client services and extend our offering. This includes developing our own in-house research and consultancy services. We aim to use data, insight, strategy and creativity to engage people with our clients’ brands to turn their audiences into advocates.”

“We are thrilled to be working with ScottishPower, a major new client, and proud of the excellent standard of work, commitment and creativity our brilliant team is already demonstrating in the delivery of our first of many ScottishPower campaigns.”

Mark Bowen, Sales and Marketing Director said: “We are delighted to welcome The Union Group on board as ScottishPower’s lead creative agency. The significant benefits of the integrated approach from The Union and Union Direct are already clear with the delivery of our first campaign ‘Let’s change to greener living’, and we look forward to continuing to work together in 2024.” focusing on the switch to greener living, and we look forward to continuing to work together in 2024.”

For more information visit: www.union.co.uk