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Edinburgh Reporter
a day ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinburgh company in with a chance of four awards
An Edinburgh-based company is hoping to continue a successful year after being shortlisted in four categories at the Regional Energy Efficiency Awards 2025. The Edinburgh Boiler Company (EBC) which is based in Dalkeith, has been nominated for Boiler Installer of the Year, Solar Installer of the Year, ASHP Installer of the Year and Director of the Year. The awards, which recognise best practice within the industry, are open to anyone involved in the energy saving and efficiency sector in Scotland, with judges looking for demonstrable skills, expertise and quality of service from nominees. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Glasgow later this month. EBC managing director Dougie Bell said: 'We have a strong team at the Edinburgh Boiler Company and it's fantastic to see their work recognised with these nominations. 'We made a conscious effort to pivot into renewables a couple of years ago and this kind of recognition validates what was an important transition for us. 'To be up for four awards is fantastic – good luck to everyone else who has been nominated.' A spokesman for the Energy Efficiency Awards, said: 'In 2025 we continue to recognise the great innovators and achievements in our industry. 'It is vital to save energy and in doing so help the environment and drive down our energy bills and it is our award winners and nominees who are at the sharp end setting out to achieve this. 'They have often been the unsung heroes of our industry and our regional and national awards events give them the voice and recognition they deserve.' The move into solar and heat pump installations helped EBC post a record turnover of £7.2m in its latest set of financial results, with sales up 60% on the previous 12 months. The company also gained national recognition towards the end of last year when it was named Building Services Contractor of the Year at the H&V News Awards 2024. Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Business extends opening hours amid roadworks
Edinburgh-based St Andrews Timber & Building Supplies has extended the opening hours of its Stenhouse branch in the city to help customers cope with ongoing roadworks in the area. Earlier this month, Scottish Gas Networks (SGN) began work on upgrading pipes on Gorgie Road near its junction with Stenhouse Drive, with the utility company suggesting it could take 'approximately' 10 weeks to complete. The temporary traffic lights have resulted in lengthy tailbacks, particularly during the morning rush hour, making it difficult for customers to make it through to the builders' merchants located on Stenhouse Mill Lane. In an attempt to help ease customers' frustrations, St Andrews is opening its affected branch at the earlier time of 7am, and is providing coffee and bacon rolls for everyone who battles their way through the traffic before 11am, with no purchase necessary to qualify. Tam Whitehead, Stenhouse branch manager, said: 'When we heard about the work which was planned by SGN, we knew it was going to cause some access issues for our customers. 'That has proved to be the case since it started in early June but we're doing what we can to help the situation. By opening at 7am while the work is in progress, we're hoping it helps the customers beat the traffic and there are bacon rolls and cups of coffee for those who can make it in before 11 o'clock. Anyone popping in during that time will get vouchers from us for a breakfast roll and coffee at the Sitooterie café at Stenhouse Cross. 'We are also operating an increased delivery service with help from the fleet from other branches. Customers who would prefer to avoid the area during the works can make use of this by calling us on 0131 510 7778.' St Andrews opened its Stenhouse branch (pictured) in 2016, and last year modified it with a 'slap through' to link two previously separate warehouses, in the process significantly increasing its stock options. Ahead of the commencement of the work on 2 June, SGN said on its website: 'Our project has been planned in close consultation with local authorities and will take approximately 10 weeks to complete. 'Our work is taking place on Gorgie Road, near its junction with Stenhouse Drive. This particular location has experienced multiple gas leaks in recent years and by upgrading our pipes now, we can prevent future emergency work and disruption. 'To ensure everyone's safety, we need to install temporary traffic lights along Gorgie Road around our working area. These lights will ensure traffic flow can be maintained safely pass our site and excavations in the carriageway. They will be in operation from the w/c 9 June for eight weeks. 'For the duration of our project, Stenhouse Drive will be closed and local diversion routes will be in place for motorists. There will also be no left-hand turn onto Gorgie Road from Els House. We advise motorists to plan ahead and allow more time for journeys, especially during peak travel times.' Like this: Like Related
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Dougie MacLean to lead Edinburgh Festival 'mass singalong'
Now he has been lined up to lead a mass 'singalong' event on the opening weekend of Edinburgh's main summer festivals season. Read more: The Perthshire musician will launch a free hour-long celebration of singing in Princes Street Gardens on the opening Sunday afternoon of the festivals season. The Scottish Government is funding the Edinburgh International Festival show, The Big Singalong, one of the few musical events given the green light to go ahead in the gardens this August. Singer-songwriter Dougie MacLean. The event has been put together by Stephen Deazley, the artistic director and founder of the Edinburgh-based community choir Love Music, who worked with singer-songwriter Karine Polwart to stage spectacular massed choir shows St Giles' Cathedral on New Year's Day as part of Edinburgh's Hogmanay festival. MacLean, who appeared at the Tartan Week celebrations in New York earlier this year, first made his name in the 1970s with the bands The Tannahill Weavers and Silly Weavers, and set up a record label with his wife Jennifer to release his own music in 1983. A 'mass singalong' event will be staged at the Edinburgh International Festival in Princes Street Gardens in August. (Image: Iain Masterton/Edinburgh International Festival) MacLean's major honours include an OBE, a lifetime achievement award from the BBC and being inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame. Mr Deazley said: 'Caledonia has become more than just a song—it's a reflection of Scotland's spirit. 'Nearly 50 years on, it still speaks powerfully about what it means to find home, especially for those who are new to Scotland or have journeyed far. 'Singing it together in Princes Street Gardens this August for the International Festival opening weekend isn't just about music. 'It's about connection. It's a way for people to feel they belong, to share in something bigger. When thousands of voices come together, you feel that sense of welcome, of joy, of community—and that's what Scotland is all about.' Maclean, one of several new additions to the line-up of the festival line-up, will be joined by the Phoenix Choir, the Maryhill Integration Project Joyous Choir and the Westerton Male Voice Choir at the Ross Bandstand in the gardens on August 3. The following day the bandstand will play host to The Ceilidh Sessions, a celebration of music and dance featuring Capercaillie musicians and an all-star ceilidh band appearing alongside the Norwegian folk ensemble Barokksolistene. Festival director Nicola Benedetti is to appear in a 'spontanenous' classical jam session concert, while Welsh jazz pianist will lead an Up Late Jazz Jam event. Ms Benedetti said: 'At the heart of our festival is a commitment to connection – providing a closer communion between artist and audience. 'From our mass ceilidh dancing, to singing Dougie MacLean's iconic anthem 'Caledonia' at the top of our lungs in the Princes Street Gardens, to spontaneous jam sessions for jazz lovers and classical enthusiasts alike, these events invite everyone to take part in the magic of live performance. 'We are all about celebrating artistry in its most human, communal form, and I can't wait for everyone to experience it with us in August.'
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
St Andrews extends Stenhouse opening hours during roadworks
Edinburgh-based St Andrews Timber & Building Supplies has extended the opening hours of its Stenhouse branch in the city to help customers cope with ongoing roadworks in the area. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Earlier this month, Scottish Gas Networks (SGN) began work on upgrading pipes on Gorgie Road near its junction with Stenhouse Drive, with the company suggesting it could take 'approximately' 10 weeks to complete. The temporary traffic lights have resulted in lengthy tailbacks, particularly during the morning rush hour, making it difficult for customers to make it through to the builders' merchants located on Stenhouse Mill Lane. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In an attempt to help ease customers' frustrations, St Andrews is opening its affected branch at the earlier time of 7am, and is providing coffee and bacon rolls for everyone who battles their way through the traffic before 11am, with no purchase necessary to qualify. Map: Roadworks. Tam Whitehead, Stenhouse branch manager, said: 'When we heard about the work which was planned by SGN, we knew it was going to cause some access issues for our customers. 'That has proved to be the case since it started in early June but we're doing what we can to help the situation. By opening at 7am while the work is in progress, we're hoping it helps the customers beat the traffic and there are bacon rolls and cups of coffee for those who can make it in before 11 o'clock. Anyone popping in during that time will get vouchers from us for a breakfast roll and coffee at the Sitooterie café at Stenhouse Cross. 'We are also operating an increased delivery service with help from the fleet from other branches. Customers who would prefer to avoid the area during the works can make use of this by calling us on 0131 510 7778.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad St Andrews opened its Stenhouse branch in 2016, and last year modified it with a 'slap through' to link two previously separate warehouses, in the process significantly increasing its stock options. Longer hours: Stenhouse branch. Ahead of the commencement of the work on June 2, SGN said on its website: 'Our project has been planned in close consultation with local authorities and will take approximately 10 weeks to complete. 'Our work is taking place on Gorgie Road, near its junction with Stenhouse Drive. This particular location has experienced multiple gas leaks in recent years and by upgrading our pipes now, we can prevent future emergency work and disruption. 'To ensure everyone's safety, we need to install temporary traffic lights along Gorgie Road around our working area. These lights will ensure traffic flow can be maintained safely pass our site and excavations in the carriageway. They will be in operation from the w/c 9 June for eight weeks. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Edinburgh Reporter
4 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Savings on water charges pour in for public sector
Water firm's long-standing partnership continues to deliver benefits. Scotland's public sector has saved more than £3million in water costs in the past financial year. The significant savings have been delivered within the first year of a renewed framework partnership with one of the UK's leading water retailers, which continues to help major organisations including the NHS, Police Scotland and local authorities. Edinburgh-based water retailer, Business Stream, has confirmed the savings milestone as part of its ongoing delivery under the Scottish Government's Water and Waste Water Services Framework, a contract worth in excess of £240million. Under the previous four-year framework contract (2020-2024) with Business Stream, Scotland's public sector saved over £8.9million, and delivered a 4.6million reduction in cubic metres of water and reduced carbon emissions through a raft of leak detection and water efficiency services. Jo Dow, Chief Executive of Business Stream, said: 'We're committed to working in partnership with Scotland's public sector to deliver long-term, sustainable savings. By providing value-added services with a key focus on water efficiency, we're continuing to drive down costs and support the sector to achieve their environmental targets.' The water retailer's focus on value-added services has helped public sector bodies embrace a more environmentally conscious approach to resource use. Through a combination of smart monitoring, tailored water efficiency planning and a rapid response to identify and repair leaks, in the past year Business Stream has supported reductions in energy consumption equating to more than 530 tonnes of CO₂e. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Business Stream has continued to deliver financial and environmental benefits to the public sector in Scotland by identifying water-saving opportunities, reducing emissions, and delivering financial saving. These savings not only reduce costs but also contribute to the sector's net zero agenda.' The savings come in the wake of Business Stream's decision to double its annual Water Efficiency Fund to £100,000 – a move designed to further support public sector organisations to make environmental upgrades. Established in 2020, the annual fund supports a diverse range of water saving projects, from conservation audits to infrastructure upgrades in schools, museums, hospitals and local authority facilities across Scotland. Projects delivered in recent months include improved plumbing systems in NHS facilities, smart monitoring devices for local councils, and targeted audits across National Museums Scotland. The Water Efficiency Fund is just one of a wide range of initiatives introduced by Business Stream since launching its vision to Make a Positive Difference (MAPD) in 2019 – a purpose-led approach to delivering positive impact for its customers, people, the environment and its local communities. Jo Dow Chief Executive Business Stream Like this: Like Related
