u/sapphire-coast

It's a tough one for Asda given the amount of issues that they've been having to deal with regarding bams/shoplifting etc. but equally it's very unfortunate that the majority of shoppers, especially infirm people have to travel to the back entrance.

McDonald's have had to shut their external entrance for a while due to issues with bams as well.

No doubt it's extremely grim for the staff, having to deal with the abuse as well.

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/asda-chesser-store-closure-9194651

>
Lawful shoppers 'penalised' as Edinburgh supermarket takes drastic action against thieves

>

>Elderly residents and shoppers with mobility issues will suffer most after an Asda store announced the closure of a main entrance to deter thieves, locals have warned.

>

>The Chesser supermarket has experienced a recent spate of anti-social behaviour and shoplifting, prompting bosses to announce the permanent closure of its tower entrance at New Mart Road to “maintain a safer and more secure shopping environment”.

>
However, the decision has sparked a backlash from the community, with some calling for the store to consider a rethink of the controversial plan.

>

>Resident Tam Carr argued the closure unfairly penalises lawful customers and said the retailer should instead invest in better security.

>

>He said: “One entrance is more convenient for pedestrian traffic and the other is from the car park. The pedestrian access is the one they're closing, meaning local residents, many who are elderly and use this entrance to access the Post Office, now have to walk the full length of the store on the outside and the full length of the store again inside to reach the Post Office counters.

>

>“Not an issue to the fit and healthy, but have some sympathy for the elderly and those with mobility issues.”

>
Fellow shopper Kevin Somerville echoed the call for increased security guards, describing the closure as “a win” for troublemakers.

>

>Regular customer Carl Jones said there are often visible signs of theft in the aisles, adding: “Down the toy aisle, there are always lots of boxes that have been ripped open and presumably stolen. Late at night you have to show your receipt to security before leaving the building.

>

>“I've also heard the McDonald's staff saying they have problems late at night - and the toilets are locked.”

>
Edinburgh South West MP Scott Arthur praised the store for its “strong sense of social responsibility”, highlighting a recent decision not to sell fireworks in an effort to dampen anti-social behaviour across the area.

>

>However, he acknowledged the branch is facing “unprecedented levels of shoplifting”.

>

>He said: “This is far from a victimless crime. Persistent theft can place jobs at risk, increase costs for customers, and create situations where staff and shoppers feel threatened or unsafe. It is an issue that I discussed directly with the police today, and I will continue calling for our local police to have the resources and support they need from the Scottish Government to tackle this growing problem effectively.

>

>“I have seen many comments on my community Facebook page expressing concern about the impact that the closure of this entrance will have on local people, particularly older residents and those with mobility challenges. I have passed these concerns directly to ASDA's corporate team.

>

>“However, I also recognise that their primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of both customers and staff. Nobody should face threats or intimidation at work, or when shopping.”

>

>The Evening News has approached Asda for comment.

Apologies that it's Edinburgh Live!

It's a sad indictment that in the 21st century that people in Edinburgh feel afraid to walk in the city centre because of their race.

I actually hope these incidents make the news abroad, as hopefully this will force/embarrass our politicians in the Scottish Gov to finally tackle this issue.

https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/edinburgh-students-afraid-go-out-34563957

>Chinese students who were due to begin studying at Edinburgh University have said they are now "living in fear". A group of three claim they were victims of a vile attack on Princes Street.

>Yin Mo Ning, one of the students, told us the teenagers hurled vile phrases at them during the disturbance. She feels they were immediately targeted because of their ethnicity.

>Yin and her friends have been left scared to travel into the city centre, and are reconsidering where they should live during their studies. Police Scotland confirmed two female teenagers have been charged in connection with an assault.

>It is understood the incident is being treated as hate-related. This comes amid concerns from the Asian community, with a woman being "punched in the face" in Princes Street Gardens in July.

>A Chinese woman, Chenxing Liu, told us she "won't go out alone" in Edinburgh after hearing of the troubles those in her community have faced. She told us of a growing sense of unease among her theatre company, who travelled to the capital for the Fringe.

>Footage was also circulating online in August showing an Asian woman being egged on North Bridge.

>Yin Mo Ning, one of the students who claims she was physically assaulted, told Edinburgh Live: "We were verbally abused, barged into and physically assaulted.

>"One student was struck on the jaw after confronting them, causing a facial injury. There were many pedestrians of other ethnicities on the street at the time, but the group of teenagers did not attack anyone else. They directed their verbal abuse, barging and physical assault only at us.

>"The fact that we were speaking Chinese and the fact their attack was directed only at us, we have good reason to believe that, after realising that we were Chinese, they deliberately turned back to attack us.

>"We therefore believe this was not an ordinary street confrontation, but a targeted assault with a clear racial motivation."

>Yin and her friends will begin studying in Edinburgh this month. They plan to live and study in the city, though are now having doubts about renting somewhere central.

>She added: "As international students who are about to live in Edinburgh for an extended period, our day-to-day personal safety is now directly threatened by these continuing attacks. People with Chinese or East Asian appearances are being singled out in public places for harassment, having objects thrown at them, being barged into or being assaulted. This has caused us serious concern about safety in Edinburgh’s public spaces."

>Yin told us she has been afraid to go to the city centre since the incident. The group try to travel outside together. She added: "Since the incident, we have not felt able to go near Princes Street or the surrounding area again. Even when we genuinely need to visit shops in the area to buy everyday necessities, we decide not to go because we are afraid.

>"Shopping centres, Edinburgh Waverley Station and other shops near Princes Street are all places that are difficult for us to avoid entirely in our daily lives. We are now afraid to travel alone on the streets of Edinburgh. Even when passing near Princes Street during the day, we feel extremely tense.

>"If we must go out, we travel together and try to use main roads. Whenever any one of us travels alone, she tells her friends her planned journey in advance and remains in real-time contact with them.

>"Even when we are together, we immediately feel panicked and tense if we encounter anyone whose appearance or manner resembles that of the teenagers involved, or if we suddenly hear a loud noise. For several days after the assault, all three victims had difficulty falling asleep and woke suddenly during the night.

>"We should have been looking forward to the approaching new academic year, but we are now more concerned about whether our daily journeys to university and the areas surrounding the campus are safe. This concern has significantly diminished the positive feelings we had before beginning our studies.

>"We have recently been looking for accommodation in Edinburgh, but none of us feel able to consider properties near Princes Street because we are afraid of experiencing the same or a similar attack again."

>Chenxing Liu, who works with Asian and Chinese Theatre company X Star Production, told Edinburgh Live she "no longer feels safe in Edinburgh". She added: "I studied in Australia when I was 15, so I’ve experienced racism. I have heard during Fringe time some people could see violence going on.

>"There’s groups of teenagers in the city centre, everyone who is Chinese knows them. They’ve become famous on our social media. I don’t really ever feel safe in the street in the UK, but definitely not in Edinburgh now.

>"Since the beginning of August, we’ve heard of friends being attacked. It was concerning this year as we were staying around 30 minutes from the city centre, travelling late at night.

>"I was just sitting on the bus and this guy was staring at me. I felt scared and nervous, and I took my phone out to send my friend a voice note. I was being really quiet, and the guy turned round and said ‘excuse me, can you not talk?’

>"I completely understand wanting a quiet journey, but there were people at the back yelling. Everyone was chatting away. He was targeting me because I’m Chinese, and he focused on me."

>A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Two teenage females have been charged in connection with assault following a disturbance on Princes Street in Edinburgh around 7.50pm on Saturday, 1 August, 2026.

>"Reports will be submitted to the relevant authorities. Enquiries are ongoing."

What an ordeal for the poor security guard!

https://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2026/08/31/masked-gang-threatened-security-with-hammers-in-student-halls-rampage/

>A GANG of masked youths threatened a security guard with hammers and smashed up several cars at a student halls in Edinburgh.

>The gang of three descended on Pollock Halls in the early hours of Wednesday morning and attempted to steal a motorcycle from the building’s car park.

>After confronting the youths, a security guard was reportedly forced back inside after being threatened by the trio.

>From there, the group rampaged around the car park, smashing up several cars and causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Quite a fascinating map of Edinburgh from the mid-1600s by James Gordon. It's incredibly detailed and must have taken weeks (months?) to draw. Although I do wonder how much artistic licence was used when making it. Either way, it's pretty impressive considering the era it was made in.

If you visit the NLS website, you can zoom in and see how much detail there is and appreciate how much effort must have gone into drawing it:

https://maps.nls.uk/view/74475427

To think 379 years later, the buildings that are still standing are almost completely full of Airbnbs, tartan tat and vape shops! I guess that's what you call progress! 😂

The former Book World store at 63 Princes Street, next to Uniqlo, looks like it's going to become another tartan tat shop. Grim! 🙁

Source: https://www.skyscrapercity.com/posts/198107884/

I guess it doesn't really mean much without funding being available.

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/26177116.majority-oppose-tram-plan-build-popular-edinburgh-cycle-path/

> More than two-thirds of respondents to a public consultation oppose plans to build a tram line along a popular cycling path in Edinburgh.

>

>According to data released by City of Edinburgh Council on Tuesday afternoon, 68 per cent of respondents opposed a proposal to build along the Roseburn Path, compared to 23 per cent who supported the plan.

>

>Meanwhile, 44 per cent of respondents opposed plans to build the northern tram spur via the Orchard Brae corridor, which would include the use of the Category A-listed Dean Bridge, while 32 per cent of respondents expressed support.

>

>In total, 53 per cent of the more than 11,000 survey respondents said they opposed any plan to build a north-south tram line, compared to 40 per cent who supported the scheme’s general principles.

>What are the potential routes?

>

>The route’s northern spur would run between Granton and Crewe Toll. At that point, two alternative routes are being considered by the council.

>

>If using the Orchard Brae route, trams would run along Crewe Road South before turning onto Queensferry Road and crossing the Dean Bridge, meeting the east-west line at the bottom of Princes Street.

>
Meanwhile, the Roseburn Path option would repurpose an abandoned rail line used by cyclists and pedestrians, joining the east-west line halfway between Haymarket and Murrayfield.

>

>The southern spur would emerge at the eastern end of Princes Street, crossing the North and South Bridges before heading south to the Royal Infirmary.

>What did the consultation find?

>

>The consultation found widespread support for the southern extension, with 51 per cent supporting the route, compared to 27 per cent who oppose the plan.

>

>According to City of Edinburgh Council, 27 of 95 named stakeholders expressed “broad support for the proposals”, compared to 26 who expressed “broad opposition”.

>

>Forty-two expressed support for some elements and opposition for others or expressed no view.

>

>The consultation revealed a number of key themes, including “concerns about environmental and ecological impact and permanent loss of amenity from a tram on the Roseburn Path”, “queries over how the scheme would be funded and impact on public finances”, and "concerns over impact of tram proposals on Dean Bridge and surrounding areas, and on environmental impact on the Water of Leith”.

>
Historical Environment Scotland also weighed in on the proposals, remarking: "We consider that the Roseburn Path option is preferable in terms of reducing potential significant negative effects on the historic environment, in particular the Dean Bridge."

>

>Meanwhile, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce has expressed "robust support" for the expansion.

>

>The business body's submission stated: "We would like to express robust support for the expansion of the tram network, on behalf of our members, due to the economic, social and environmental benefits that it would bring."

>

>However, cyclists and active travel groups have spoken out against the Roseburn Path plan.

>

>Edinburgh Critical Mass told the council: “We do not support the current plan as this will remove a valued and green space for cycling along the Roseburn Path and cycling has not been prioritised along other parts of the proposed tram routes.”

>

>Campaign group Save the Roseburn Path added: "We oppose the proposed extension as a whole because neither option put forward for the northern spur is supportable. In addition, we have major concerns around the costs and value of the plans.

>

>"It is clear, however, that even with the changes made to the design there is no workable compromise that can adequately protect the Roseburn Path as a green space, linear park, active travel route and wildlife corridor."

>

>However, cycle group Spokes, which has around 1,000 members, noted: "If the tram does use Roseburn, the Council has committed to a single-track battery-operated tram, which enables a continued 3 metre+ path, apart from a couple of 2m pinch points.

>
What about trams on South Bridge?

>

>The viability of running trams on South Bridge has also been questioned.

>

>In an accompanying survey of 79 community groups and civic organisations, Edinburgh World Heritage Trust raised a series of concerns about the suitability of the Georgian structure.

>

>“EWH has significant concerns regarding the capability of South Bridge to take a modern tram,” the charity remarked.

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>“The Southeast Corridor South Bridge Structures Report by consultants Jacobs provides no assurance that South Bridge is capable of supporting a tram. The study could at best be considered preliminary.

>

>“In it, they make clear that no assessment has been carried out as to its viability as a rail corridor, and little is documented about its physical and structural condition.

>

>“As such, the position that must be taken from this report is that South Bridge is not suitable to carry a tram.”

>

>The report states: "It is reasonable to anticipate the structure can be safely repurposed for use within a southern extension of the Edinburgh Tram network.

>

>"Nevertheless, given that the structure is large and old, significant further analysis is required. The record data reviewed by Jacobs has been found to be conflicting and can only be taken as indicative until confirmatory surveys and/or intrusive investigations are undertaken."

>

>Commenting on the EWH position, transport convener Stephen Jenkinson said: "The southern leg of the north-south tram is as stated, and there are no plans to change that. Are there going to be engineering challenges along the way? Absolutely, there will be.

>

>"Those will be fleshed out and scoped out as the project develops. Am I surprised or concerned that a world heritage organisation would be concerned about world heritage? No, but let's be honest, we already have the tram running through the centre of the world heritage site, and the problems that were raised and addressed with previous delivery of the tram, we'll work through those as we develop the space.

>Does market research show a different picture?

>

>Data compiled by Progressive Partnership shows greater public backing for the proposals.

>

>47 per cent of participants supported the general principle of a north-south tram line, compared to 19 per cent who opposed.

>

>Likewise, 20 per cent opposed the Orchard Brae route, while 44 per cent expressed support. 23 per cent opposed the Roseburn Path route, while 43per cent expressed support.

>

>Thirty-six per cent and 34 per cent neither supported nor opposed, respectively.

>

>Once again, the greatest support was observed in relation to the southern spur, with 20 per cent of participants opposing the plan compared to 53 per cent in support and 28 per cent neutral.

>

>The findings could reinforce growing political sentiment that the southern section of the tram line be built prior to the northern spur.

>

>Ahead of May’s Holyrood election, the council’s SNP group announced it would back the construction of a tram line from Princes Street to the Royal Infirmary.

>

>Meanwhile, nationalist councillors said they supported the principle of a northern line but did not agree with the proposed Roseburn Path and Orchard Brae routes.

>
SNP councillor Euan Hyslop commented: "The SNP group supports the expansion of the tram and the role it must play in the wider sustainable transport network in the city.

>

>“It is our view that progressing feasibility work on the proposed southern leg to the Royal Infirmary is the immediate priority until feasible options are presented for the northern leg that respect the transport hierarchy which places the needs of those walking, wheeling and cycling first.”

>What is the impact on tram-train proposals?

>

>Given the uncertainty over the suitability of South Bridge, campaigners contending that the council should reopen the South Sub line for light passenger rail could see a boost in support.

>

>Tram Trains for Edinburgh says the local authority should use tram-trains, which are sturdier and capable of going at higher speeds than normal trams but lighter than conventional trains.

>

>Campaign chair Rob Falcon told The Herald: “We're campaigning to get the South Sub open with tram-train technology that will be revolutionary for transport across Edinburgh. It's mainly the south but it will also affect or reduce congestion in other parts of the city.

>
“So we think it's got a benefit that not only stretches across the south side, but also the centre of town and on a regional basis as well.”

>

>The completed line would consist of 11 stops along the South Sub line between Gorgie and Portobello.

>

>The Scottish Government has agreed to carry out a study on the feasibility of the project.

>
How has the council responded to the consultation?

>

>"I think it's an important element of the decision making process," Councillor Jenkinson told reporters.

>

>"I think we need to make the case. I think we need to understand where people are. Am I surprised with the results? I think I'm not massively surprised.

>

>"People tend to be quite resistant to change of any description, and this is a big change for the city. So, I think it's I think it's reasonable to expect some concerns to be raised.

>

>"We will, as part of the strategic business case, look to address as many of those as we possibly can, but you know it's a consultation, not a referendum."

According to the folks over on the SSC Edinburgh forum the new Wetherspoon's at Fountainpark is going to be called:

Norris & Parmelee

One of the posters suggests that it's a nod to the names of founders of the North British Rubber Company, which had their factory across the road.

Source: https://www.skyscrapercity.com/posts/197637412/

No doubt we'll be seeing articles "exclusively revealing" the name of the pub on the usual online outlets in the coming days. 😂

I found this video on the SSC forum showing the before and after of the experience of cycling between the Foot of the Walk to Dock Street with the new cycle lane.

I just wish there was a faster roll-out of more dedicated cycle lanes and infrastructure across the city.

Original source credit: https://www.skyscrapercity.com/posts/197455847/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U7KQ8CwO8Q