The Edinburgh Reporter January 2022

2 NEWS
Planning News
Developments in progress across the city
Editorial
I THINK we all hope for change this year. It is
two years since the first cases of Covid-19
were identified and then, within a couple of
months, the world tumbled into lockdown
after lockdown, waiting for only a few
months for the first vaccine to be delivered.
Now we are all anxious to get the third or
booster dose to beat the new fast-spreading
Omicron variant, and the capacity of the
booster programme has significantly
increased. Mass vaccination centres are to
reopen at EICC. It is not quite clear to me
writing this what the regulations will be when
it is read. Certain events are having to change
their plans along with the latest guidance
from the government and the scientists.
It is perhaps difficult to look ahead with
any degree of certainty amid the barrage of
case numbers, but I thought we could set the
challenge for some people in the city to at
least have a go. On our middle pages you will
read a range of views from business people
and others in Edinburgh who answered that
call - perhaps inevitably with a backward
glance to the couple years behind us.
As always at the beginning of a new year it
is a time to ramp up the exercise or introduce
keep fit and we have some tips to help you to
maintain progress on Page 9.
John Hislop, a lifelong Hibs fan, has had a
look back at the Easter Road team and its
highs and lows this past year. Read his round
up on Page 23. Food and drink plays a very
big role in the life of our food writer, Juliet,
who flags up some new places if you are out
and about. on Page 17.
Edinburgh is full of people who are high
achievers, and we are pleased to have stories
of those who have “done good” on our
pages. I very much enjoyed speaking to
Julia Cross, MBE, who when faced with ill
health resorted to teaching her beloved
Taekwondo to others.
Finally a plea to shop local - and if possible
to support our advertisers. Without them we
would not be able to produce this
newspaper, and many of you tell us you look
forward to reading it each month. We enjoy
the experience of producing it - it is quite
different from our website (but we
recommend that you also read that!)
Phyllis Stephen, Editor
BRINGING THE NEWS TO YOU
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TODAY!
Covid-19: the numbers...
THE NEWER OMICRON variant
had a tenfold increase in the
number of cases during the first
week it was identified. Soon after
more than 90,000 cases were
identified in one single day in the
UK, leading to changes in the
defence against the pandemic.
Booster vaccinations have been
increased, and physical distancing
measures reimposed. The First
Minister made an address to the
nation stating that in Scotland
cases could rise to around 15,000
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WORK HAS BEGUN at the Queen Margaret University site
to create a new junction on the A1, providing access from
both directions. The university is delivering an Innovation
Hub in the Edinburgh Innovation Park in a partnership with
East Lothian Council. Expect “traffic management” around
here as the works will not be completed until December.
An online consultation about the proposed mixed use
redevelopment of the former Leith Walk Tramway depot has
been running over the Christmas period and will end on 3
January. cwpleith.com
The council is ploughing on with the development at
Granton Waterfront and has advertised on Public Contracts
Scotland for a development partner. Over the next decade or
so this will create a new coastal town with 3,500 new net
zero carbon homes. There are many constituent parts to the
Waterfront all of which will have green credentials at the top
of the wishlist.
A planning application is likely to be made next month
for the redevelopment of Ocean Terminal (visual on left)
where the owners, Ambassador Group intend to demolish
one part of the car park, open up views from the building to
the Royal Yacht Britannia and follow the principle of the 20
minute Neighbourhood already adopted by the council. The
plan is to create a pedestrian centred waterfront with a
mixed use community around it.
per day. In the last quarter of 2021
cases had been running at around
3,000 or so a day.
The number of those vaccinated
with the first dose in the UK has
now risen to an impressive 52
million people (and counting)
which is around 90% of the UK
population over the age of 12. But
perhaps the most sobering
number is that around 1,000
people in the UK are currently in
hospital beds which have a
mechanical ventilator.
About us...
We write about news relating to the Edinburgh area. If you
have any news, or if you would like to submit an article or
photograph for publication then please contact us
Editor: Phyllis Stephen
Designer: Felipe Perez
Photos: Martin P McAdam
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