Retail recovery – remember your independents!
Dear Spurtle,
After three-and-a-half long months, many of us independent retailers finally opened our doors again yesterday.
Messages of support flew between us throughout the day, but our joy is tempered thinking of those in our vital entertainment and hospitality sectors who still await their decree.
How sad then, at the end of the day, to see the media focus on a national, competitively-priced, budget tailor and an international purveyor of fruity phones and laptops, as symbols of retail recovery north of the border.
Charlie Paterson, my dear departed father-in-law, would have been dismayed to see Edinburgh’s proud and unique independent retail sector slighted by banal reporting, rather than celebrating the unique range of businesses this fine city offers.
I send love to all those who have suffered and continue to struggle in Spurtleshire and beyond.
Lynne Roberts
(Salento, 44 Dundas Street)
ISSUE 297 — OUT TOMORROW!
As you read this, printed copies of the July Spurtle are already appearing across the barony like half-eaten fish suppers on a pre-Lockdown Saturday morning.
Issue 297 starts with shameless public nudity, whereby hangs a tail. It continues with suggestions for Council officers to chew over, more doubts on discussions in a crisis, and thoughts about a stuck-up local whom few people seem ever to have liked much.
NEWS FROM THE MEWS 30
THE STOCKBRIDGE MURDER CASE
1889
Part I
News from the Mews is about to take another dark turn.
Over the next three weeks, the court journalism reproduced here will cover one of the most notorious Edinburgh murder cases of the 19th century, rendered even more shocking at the time by the perpetrator being a woman and the victims babies.
TIGHT CORNER DRIVES NEIGHBOURS APART
The Atlas Guest House at 30 London Street seeks full planning permission and listed building consent to remove a stone wall behind the premises, extend the driveway, increase the garden wall's height, and install new metal bi-fold driveway gates.
NEWS FROM THE MEWS 29
1886–88
SUNDAY FOOTBALL
A fine of 1s each, with the option of 24 hours’ imprisonment, was imposed on each of five boys, whose ages ranged from 12 to 15 years, for playing football on Sunday evening last in Gilchrist Court, Greenside.
Edinburgh Evening News, 14 April 1886
BOTANICS REOPEN IN 1 WEEK'S TIME
The Royal Botanic Garden will reopen to the public on Wednesday 1 July.
But be aware. If you want to visit the oasis in Inverleith, you’ll need to book a free time slot online before you turn up. You can do so HERE.
The pre-booking requirement applies to everyone, including members, carers, children, and babies (up to 8 people per booking) between 10am and 5pm (last entry at 4.45pm).
NEWS FROM THE MEWS 28
1885
KEEPING A DISORDERLY HOUSE.
At the City Police Court, a woman named Jessie Irvine or Aitchison was ordered to pay a fine of £5, or go 30 days to jail, for keeping a disorderly house and harbouring loose women in Simpson’s Court, Greenside Row, on and since 5th November last.
Edinburgh Evening News, 2 February 1885