The Edinburgh Reporter December 2019

12
BUSINESS
The Edinburgh Reporter
Charity criticises TSB closures
Age Scotland has criticised
TSB’s announcement that it will
close 82 branches nationwide,
saying older and more vulnerable
people will be hardest hit.
The bank announced the
closures as part of a £100m
cost saving programme, and is
the latest move in the relentless
decline of high street banking.
38 per cent of Scottish branches
closed in the last five years.
Adam Stachura, Head of Policy
at Age Scotland, said: “At a
recent meeting with TSB, we
were assured us that their plan to
reduce operating hours at some
branches was not a prelude to
closing them. While we don’t know
which branches are affected yet,
it’s extremely disappointing to see
a closure programme announced.
“This is another slap in the face
to loyal bank customers, especially
those who are older, disabled, or
don’t have internet access. It’s
extremely disappointing to see yet
another bank put profits ahead of
its customers, particularly those
who need to use a branch most.
“This will undoubtedly make it
harder for tens of thousands of
people to access their finances
and manage their money on a daily
basis. We know older people are
more likely to prefer a face-to-face
service. Seven in 10 over-65s don’t
use online banking, and more than
half of Scottish people aged 80
and above never use the internet
at all, so they are being left behind
with the march to digital banking
by default.
“Bank branches have been
disappearing from our high streets
at an alarming rate, with almost
half closing in the last decade.
New office on the market
Refurbishment works at Number
10 George Street have been
completed and the office has
now been put on the market to
find a new occupier. There are
panoramic views from the top
floors to Fife and Edinburgh
Castle.
Ben Reed, Director at JLL said:
“With available Grade A office
space critically short, 10 George
Street represents as rare an
opportunity as you could find. Not
only is the building impeccably
refurbished, it is arguably the
best located office in Edinburgh,
with views to match. St Andrew
Square has undergone extensive
redevelopment in recent years and
has attracted the highest calibre
occupiers, retailers, restaurants
and bars. This, combined with
the close proximity to Edinburgh
Waverley train station, and the
tram network, makes 10 George
Street ideally suited for a major
occupier.”
Neil Gordon, Partner at Eric
Banking deserts across Scotland
are starting to form, with many
towns and villages left with no
service at all.
“We would encourage banks to
consider creative alternatives to
outright closures, such as shared
branches with several banks
splitting the cost of staff and
premises between them while
offering a valuable face-to-face
service.
"This is gaining political traction
but it just needs the banks to have
the courage to start it.
“Age Scotland is calling on the
next UK Government to ensure
that every older person has
easy and free access to banking
services and cash, wherever they
live, including in rural areas. If the
banks are not willing to do this
themselves, then perhaps it’s time
for the Government to step in.”
Young & Co said: “The building
is available as a whole or on a
multi-let basis and we anticipate
interest from a range of sectors.
No 10 ticks all the boxes for high
quality occupiers with large floor
plates, a fantastic specification
including roof terraces on 3 levels
and excellent environmental
credentials.” The project began in
March 2018 for La Française Real
Estate Partners International on
behalf of their client Sampension
KP.
AI funding on offer
Nesta in Scotland, the Scottish
arm of the UK’s innovation
foundation, has launched a fund to
find and support positive, ethical
uses of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
that can help change Scotland and
the UK for the better.
Scotland’s long history of
innovation is well known with the
bicycle, steam engine, TV and
penicillin all emerging here, and
Scotland is still at the forefront in
the latest technologies such as AI,
as Edinburgh has the fifth highest
concentration of AI research of
any part of the UK.
The fund is open for applications
now until 10 January 2020
and entries are welcome from
students, academics, startups,
SMEs, public, private and
third sector bodies. Nesta
wants applications from a wide
range of areas including health,
wellbeing, poverty, homelessness,
inequality, education, creative
industries, government, climate
action, transport, manufacturing,
emergency services, academia
and research. Winning entries
will be given a grant of £15,000-
£20,000 as well as a programme
of support and engagement from
Nesta in Scotland. nesta.org.uk
New lounge open at
the airport
Swissport has opened a new
Aspire Lounge at Edinburgh
Airport, the first in the world to
feature the refreshed Aspire look
and feel.
The new 142 seat lounge has
been designed to offer passengers
a stylish, comfortable and
tranquil start to their journey,
with uninterrupted runway views,
separate booths for business and
family passengers and private
washroom facilities.
DV8 Designs Ltd, the company
tasked with the designing the
lounge, were briefed to create
an inviting, contemporary and
relaxing space suitable for all
travellers, with an adaptable
design for each airport’s local
heritage.
The result is a contemporary,
high spec lounge finished with
traditional patterned fabrics and
featuring artwork of iconic city
scenes. Open to all travellers
irrespective of airline or travel
class booked, it offers unlimited
free WIFI, plush seating with
nearby charging facilities. Food is
cooked fresh on site and served on
marble counter tops.
The menu includes freshly
made pancakes at breakfast, a
cheeseboard and hot and cold
meals throughout the rest of the
day. A comprehensive bar offer
includes the exclusive to Aspire
Lounges' Spey Whisky and Byron’s
Gin.
Leith Walk Police Box Pop up space
www.leithwalkpolicebox.com
Wednesdays, Fridays and other dates including Christmas Eve
and Boxing Day 11.00am-6.00pm Tipico nuts & delicious Sicilian
confectionery. Gift boxes available
3, 11, 15, 19, 21 & 28 December 1100-1800 - Wild Maremma
artisan handmade pasta, sauces and tiramisu. Gift subscriptions
available.
5 December 2pm-5pm Zero Waste Leith Leith’s Good with Food
kits & recycling storage bag distribution
7 December 1.00 - 5.00pm Woollies on the walk. Hand knitted
woolly hats.
12 December Scottish Green Party
Saturdays (except 28th Dec) - Edinburgh Tool Library 10.30am to
1.00pm Join up and borrow tools, gift memberships available.
Check social media for more details