Edinburgh based leading sustainable clothing brand, Unfolded, is hosting the first ever Unfolded and Friends pop up event at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh on Sunday 15th October. The free event is open to all and runs from 11am-4pm at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh’s Greyfriars Hall (entrance from The Royal Mile via Cowgatehead). Alongside Unfolded will be other fantastic sustainable Scottish brands including Seilich Botanicals, Voxblock, Natural Sparkle and Scents of the Wild.

In the past 18 months Unfolded has grown to a community of over 100k+ women across the UK, turned down three Dragons on Dragons Den and attracted wide acclaim for their affordable approach to sustainable fashion from media such as This Morning, Lorraine and Glamour magazine.

The event gives shoppers the chance to preview, try and buy the brand new Unfolded collection, shop the brands first ever discounted sample sale, enjoy a free drink, meet the founders and discover a range of other fabulous Scottish sustainable focused brands.

Hosted within Virgin Hotels Edinburgh’s beautifully restored Greyfriars Hall, a Gothic church with vaulted ceilings, it’s the perfect spot to experience a piece of classic Edinburgh while perusing the very best sustainable products Scotland has to offer.

Unfolded is a local business well on its way to achieving a big mission – to change the way people shop and make the fashion industry more sustainable.

Did you know that 30% of new clothes made this year will never be sold – that’s estimated to be a staggering 26 billion items of new clothing that is destined to go straight to landfill?

Unfolded is challenging the industry by creating clothes without the waste and using the savings to create positive impact in the world. They do this by:

• Designing clothes in collaboration with Unfolded shoppers to ensure the only clothes created are ones that people actually want to buy
• Production doesn’t start till orders start being placed, allowing us to match supply and demand
• Clothes are delivered direct from our factories to our customers within 4-6 weeks – removing logistics wastage

Making clothes in this way actually delivers cost savings and these are used to:

• Offer sustainable yet affordable clothes
• Pay garment workers better wages
• Create long term change by funding children in India to learn to read and write (our clothes are manufactured in India).

Since launch eighteen months ago, Unfolded has already supported over 5,000 children in education.

Cally Russell, co-founder of Unfolded explains more, “Unfolded is all about community and creating positive change by working together. This is why we decided to host Unfolded and Friends and can’t wait to meet people in person at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh on Sunday. Over the past 18 months our collaborative approach to sustainable fashion has started to change this industry and we look forward to more Edinburgh locals discovering there is another way to shop this weekend”.

Mafalda Albuquerque, General Manager, Virgin Hotels Edinburgh said: “Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is a strong supporter of small, Scottish businesses. Our very own Curiosity Shop, delivered in partnership with Virgin Startup, features local sustainable brands and is extremely popular with our guests and so we know there will be huge excitement for the Unfolded and Friends market.

“We look forward to welcoming Unfolded into Greyfriars Hall to give guests and locals the chance to browse its incredible collection of sustainable products. In keeping with chic Virgin style, the pieces aren’t just fabulous but good for the planet too.”

After Edinburgh, the popup market tour will be heading to Oxford Street in London and then Manchester before the end of the year.

Find out more about the Unfolded and Friends Pop Up Event here https://thisisunfolded.com/blogs/unfold/unfolded-friends-event-edinburgh

• Nearly three quarters of firms attempting to recruit have faced difficulties (73%)
• Hospitality firms remain the most likely to report challenges in hiring staff (79%)
• 66% of companies say labour costs are a financial pressure
• 61% of companies have attempted to recruit in the quarter

The latest Quarterly Recruitment Outlook (QRO), a survey of nearly 5,000 UK firms of all sectors and sizes, by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Insights Unit, reveals that many firms are still facing problems hiring staff. 

The third quarter results for 2023, show a continuing decline in the percentage of companies facing hiring difficulties. The figure has dropped 9 percentage points from the historical high of 82% in Q4 2022. The figure has now fallen in each quarter of 2023 – but remains above 70%. 

Attempted recruitment in Q3 was virtually unchanged from the previous quarter, with 61% of firms looking to find staff (60% in Q2).

Recruitment difficulties are being felt across the economy, but the hospitality sector continues to suffer the most, with 79% of firms reporting hiring challenges in Q3 (compared to 86% in Q2). This is closely followed by both construction & manufacturing on 78% (down from 86% and 81% respectively in Q2). 72% of retail businesses said they had experienced recruitment issues.

Of the hospitality firms reporting problems, 58% faced difficulties in finding semi/unskilled workers, 41% skilled manual/technical staff. In the construction and engineering sector, 78% faced problems getting skilled manual/technical workers, but just 21% for semi/unskilled.

As businesses continue to face a series of economic headwinds, most are still reporting no increase to investment in workplace training. Just over a quarter of firms reported an increase in staff training (27%, the same as Q2), with 13% reporting a drop (14% in Q2).

Labour costs are cited by the most firms as a source of cost pressure, with 66% citing this (compared to 63% in Q2 and 67% in Q1). 59% of firms say they’re concerned about energy costs.

Responding to the findings, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy at the BCC said: 

“The scale of the recruitment crisis remains huge, despite a welcome fall in the number of firms reporting hiring problems.

“Employers are offering more flexible working wherever possible but are still struggling to hire and retain the right staff to help get them through these challenging economic times. The picture in the hospitality and manufacturing sectors is particularly worrying.

“We have just under a million job vacancies in the economy, and skills shortages are damaging businesses’ ability to operate profitably – as well as impacting the wellbeing and morale of remaining staff.

“Businesses and the government need to work together to resolve this problem.  Bringing more people back into the workforce, with rapid retraining programmes and comprehensive support, will help. While many employers remain sharply focused on investment in training, most businesses need more help to get the workforce skills they need. Positive interventions in the tax and skills system would be welcome, to boost investment in workplace training and development.

“It’s high time the government listened to employers and brought in the urgent reforms to the apprenticeship levy that will allow more people to get the training they need. We also need long-term commitment to Local Skills Improvement Plans that are bringing together employers and providers to plan for skills needs.

“And where businesses have tried everything possible to recruit people locally, a flexible and affordable immigration system must be there to support them.  The Shortage Occupation List does not reflect the reality businesses experience on the ground. Last week, the Migration Advisory Committee underlined concerns that the list is not an effective tool to address labour shortages. An alternative must be developed urgently and in consultation with business.

“Our economic forecasts suggest the coming couple of years are going to be tough for everyone. Solving the recruitment crisis will be key to getting the economy growing again.”

As a further commitment to its employee proposition, ‘Bright Careers. Realised.’ Muckle Media has accredited with The 4 Day Week Campaign and secured gold status. The agency now operates a four-day week, with the team working either Monday to Thursday or Tuesday to Friday, for full time pay.

Muckle Media trialled a four-day week during the summer, with the introduction of weekly team wellbeing days, and measured productivity and team happiness. Productivity, which is measured as the percentage of team time attributed to billable work, increased eight percentage points during the trial, despite the trial falling during the summer when the most annual leave is taken. Happiness, measured by employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS) increased from 23 in June to 53 in October, on a scale of -100 to 100, with over 50 classed as excellent.

The agency has also introduced further benefits this year, with eight weeks of holiday and enhanced maternity package including a month’s wages pre-baby to help with buying baby equipment.

Muckle Media Founder, Nathalie Agnew, said,

“We are continuously looking for ways to ensure our team have a good work/life balance and are able to deliver exceptional results, without undue stress and pressure. As a B-Corp we are committed to finding ways to support our team wherever possible. We appreciate the environment we work in is fast moving, so we will always have appropriate support available to clients, particularly in a crisis or when a fast turnaround opportunity arises.”

Joe Ryle, Director of the 4 Day Week Campaign, said:

“The four-day week with no loss of pay improves productivity, and is a win-win for both workers and employers. Workers are desperate for a better work-life balance after the Covid pandemic and now is the perfect time for companies to implement a four-day week. Organisations should adopt the four-day week as a way of retaining staff, attracting new talent and embracing the future of work.”

You can find out more about the 4-day week campaign here: https://www.4dayweek.co.uk/

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh has been ranked 13 in Condé Nast Traveller’s prestigious readers awards.

The luxury lifestyle hotel, which was officially opened by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson earlier this year, was awarded a score of 95.59, placing it 13^th in the list of hotels outside of London, and placing it 4^th for the best hotels in Scotland.

 

• Just two fifths of UK firms (41%) now expect their prices to increase in the next three months, down from 55% in Q1.
• Labour costs are the biggest driver of price rises, across most sectors, cited by 66% of all businesses.
• Domestic sales, cashflow, turnover and profitability indicators are stable but remain at a low level.
• Business investment continues its long-term flatlining trend with only 23% seeing an increase, as the percentage of firms worried about interest rates rises to 45%. 

The BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for Q3 2023 shows the percentage of firms expecting to raise prices in the next three months has fallen for the fifth consecutive quarter.

The data also reveals that for the second quarter running the main factor for increasing costs is coming from wages.

The survey, by the BCC’s Insights Unit, of over 5,000 firms – 91% of whom are SMEs – also reveals business performance across different sectors varies considerably. The research took place between 21 August and 14 September before the Bank of England decided to hold the interest rate at 5.25%. Respondents were split into 28% manufacturing and 72% services industries, with 48% exporting.

Activity in the service sector ticks up but manufacturing is lagging behind

The percentage of all firms reporting increased domestic sales remained unchanged from Q2 at 35%. Meanwhile 23% reported a decrease and 42% reported no change.  But the services sector saw a larger bump with 36% seeing an increase, diverging from manufacturers, where 29% saw an increase.

For cashflow, more businesses saw an improvement rather than a decline – a reversal of the situation in Q1 and Q2. But the changes remain small, as 28% of businesses said their cash flow has improved over the last three months (26% in Q2), while 26% have seen it decline (29% in Q2).

After a rocky end to 2022, business confidence bounced back and has now stabilised.

The percentage of firms expecting to see their turnover increase over the next 12 months stood at 53% for Q3, broadly similar to Q1 (52%) and Q2 (54%) but up significantly from Q3 and Q4 in 2022 (both 44%). Only 16% expect a decrease in the next twelve months.

Profitability confidence also remains stable at 45%, up from 44% in Q2, although it continues to remain weaker than turnover confidence.  23% expect a decrease in the next twelve months.

This recovery in confidence in 2023 is yet to feed into increased business investment.

The percentage of respondents reporting an increase to investment in plant/equipment remains stuck at 23%, while 59% reported no change and 18% saw a decrease.

Over the last six years the number of firms increasing investment has dropped as low as 9%, at the start of the pandemic, but it has never gone higher than 28% (Q1 2018). The hospitality sector remains under additional pressure with 33% reporting a decrease in investment, and 22% an increase.

Inflationary pressures continue to ease but remain the top concern.

The percentage of firms expecting their prices to rise fell for the fifth consecutive quarter. Two-fifths of firms (41%) now expect to put up prices in the next three months. This is down from an historic high of 65% in Q2 of 2022, indicating inflationary pressures are continuing to ease.

While inflation remains firms’ biggest concern, the level has dropped for the third quarter running, with 65% of firms now worried compared to 69% in Q2. However there has been a corresponding 4 percentage point rise in businesses worried about interest rates, increasing from 41% in Q2 to 45% in Q3.

Labour costs are now the number one cost pressure for businesses.

Concerns around wage costs was the biggest pressure for most firms for the second quarter running, although the percentage worried has dropped from 68% in Q2 to 66% in Q3. However, worries about utility prices fell even further from 63% to 59%, creating clear water with wage costs as the number one issue.

But there remain wide sectoral differences with manufacturers citing wages (68%), raw materials (65%) and utilities (65%) in a three-way tie as main factors driving price increases. While in hospitality, 81% of firms were most worried about utility costs, with wages in second place at 74%. The retail sector was least worried about labour costs, with 52% citing it as an issue, against 59% flagging utilities and 58% raw materials.

David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“The results of the QES continue to point to tough trading conditions for many firms as inflation, labour shortages, global trade barriers, and interest rate rises continue to bite.

“Manufacturers have reported a particularly tough quarter, and it will be crucial over the coming months to see how this trend plays out.

“Most firms continue to report no increase to their investment intentions. This is in part a reflection of broader uncertainty, with little clarity on major long-term projects and yet more trade barriers to come with the EU.

“Easing inflation and a recovery to business confidence provide brighter spots, but these need to be reinforced with a clear plan from Government on long-term investment and direction from the Bank on the interest rate.”

Responding to the findings, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, Shevaun Haviland, said: 

“Our research shows that business confidence has stabilised at much healthier levels following a rocky end to 2022. But the economic warning lights are still flashing.

“Firms are increasingly worried about interest rates, and while inflation concerns are falling, persistent wage pressures show we need a greater focus on relieving the UK’s tight labour market.

“With manufacturing lagging behind services, and low rates of investment across the board, especially in the hospitality sector, it is clear more needs to be done to spur growth.

“After the disappointment of HS2, firms want to see clear signals from Government to encourage investment. This means putting in place a five-year rolling guarantee on the full expensing tax allowance to give business some much needed certainty.”

What businesses say:

“We are looking to invest in new machinery as part of our growth plans so interest rates for asset finance are more an issue than previously.”

Small manufacturer in the East Midlands

“We cannot put our prices up much as [we] trade under the VAT limit and there is no sign that this will change. This means we are unable to expand or significantly up our prices despite all our suppliers increasing theirs.”

Small hospitality firm in Bristol

“Increasing interest rates is not reducing inflation on core costs which is crucial, as we cannot continue to absorb reduced sales prices and increase in costs.”

Medium sized construction firm in Aberdeen

To celebrate the launch of Phamie’s latest album, Grassmarket Community Project (GCP) is proud to present this rare opportunity to enjoy the brilliant music of this celebrated composer and performer, in the magnificent setting of Greyfriars Kirk, on Fri 27^th Oct at 6.30pm.

Phamie is a gifted musician, celebrated in the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2021, and has played at venues including New York’s Carnegie Hall, the opening of the Scottish Parliament and the closing ceremony for the London Olympics. She is recognised as being one of the most innovative harpists and her piano compositions have created a new wave of classical crossover music. Collaborations have been with Philip Glass, Ashley MacIsaac, Carlos Nuñez, Alan Stivell, LMO orchestra, McOpera String Quartet, Band of Horses, and many more.

Her long awaited latest album, ‘Dancing Hands (Remastered)’ was released in August 2023, and is full of sparks and songs that will leave you wanting to listen to it again and again. The 11th album from Phamie Gow featuring some of Celtic music’s finest players. Phamie is on harp, keyboard, low D whistle, accordion and singing. All music is written and produced by Phamie Gow of Wildfire Records and Publishing.

This is a key event for GCP, supported by ‘Greyfriars at 12’ and Phamie herself, to raise much needed funds to enable GCP to continue to support some of the most vulnerable and marginalised citizens in Edinburgh and the Lothians. The cost-of-living crisis, mounting energy bills, high inflation, and the onset of the winter months, means that more people than ever are struggling on the brink of poverty and homelessness, and needing the targeted support of GCP.

Our CEO, Helene, explains why this event is so important for GCP:

“Our work is deeply rooted in understanding the challenges faced by those most disenfranchised. From addressing homelessness and mental health issues to trauma and domestic violence, our approach goes beyond immediate relief. It’s about resilience, community, and empowerment.

With public funding stretched to the limit we at GCP, and across the charity sector, need to generate the income to continue to deliver our essential services. Whilst this event is a vital fundraiser for our charity, Phamie is an incredible artist and we are honoured to be hosting her incredible talents. Here at GCP, we bring people together through art, music and crafts, coupled with the sharing of delicious home cooked food, and this event highlights this inclusive approach.

Come and enjoy a wonderful evening of truly fantastic music and fine food, whilst supporting our work to empower some of the most disadvantaged people in our community.”

In an intimate cabaret-style setting in the glorious surrounds of Greyfriars Kirk, ticket prices are £38.50 per person and include a delicious two course supper, performances by Phamie, and a licensed bar will be available. Discounts for tables of 6 people.

Tickets can be booked at Phamie Gow live at Greyfriars Kirk Tickets, Fri 27 Oct 2023 at 18:30 | Eventbrite

For more information contact Helene van der Ploeg helene@grassmarket.org

Equate Scotland are conducting research into inclusivity in Scotland’s STEM sectors and are looking for employers to participate. Organisations often ask us how they can get involved in our mission to support gender equality in STEM and this is a fantastic opportunity to do so.

Underrepresentation of women and minorities in STEM remains a stubborn issue and we are hoping to identify best practice for inclusivity through this research and identify gaps where organisations would benefit from support to become more diverse and inclusive.

Participation in this research will enable your organisation to be part of the solution towards making the sector a more diverse and inclusive space where people and organisations can thrive.

The research consists of an anonymous survey which will take around 20 minutes to complete. Due to the nature of the questions within the survey it would be best if it was completed by a member of a senior leadership team, EDI lead, or HR lead.

The Employer Survey will be open until the 31^st of October! 

Your participation will help us to develop our advocacy and training programmes that benefit the women and non-binary people in your organisation, and across Scotland, and will help us understand how we can continue to support employers. As an acknowledgement of your contribution, we can offer you one free CareerHub job listing (worth £200) and exclusive access to an online lunch and learn by Equate Scotland on ‘Unlocking the power of ED&I in your organisation’ to be held in November 2023.

Access the survey here.

Share with your network here.

 

Scottish baby loss charity, Held In Our Hearts, are calling on the local community to join the charity as they fundraise and raise awareness of their work during October’s Baby Loss Awareness Week (9th-15th).

This year marks the 21st year of Baby Loss Awareness Week in the UK – a week for everyone in the baby loss community and beyond to come together to remember much loved and missed babies. For Held In Our Hearts, this is also an opportunity to connect with the community of bereaved parents that they support and for others to show their solidarity through taking part in fundraising challenges to raise vital funds for their work.

This year’s theme is ‘Stepping Stones,’ and the Held In Our Hearts team know from experience that after the loss of a precious baby, bereaved parents and families find themselves on a new path they never expected to be on. This year, they will focus on the steps along that journey, and how some steps can feel harder than others.

The charity are keen to involve as many of their amazing supporters as they can during Baby Loss Awareness Week and some of the ways they can get involved, are:
● 9th – Pop up stand at Lullabye, Princes Street Gardens
● 11th – Drop in at their Craiglockhart office (Adults only)
● 12th – Family drop in at Craigsfarm
● 13th – Eastgate Shopping Centre Pop Up Stand (Inverness)
● 14th – Fundraising Sea Dip (Wardie Bay, Edinburgh)
● 15th – Walk of Light (around Arthur’s Seat)
● 15th – Walk of Light (starting at the Glen Mhor Hotel – Inverness)

Nicola Welsh, Chief Executive Officer of Held In Our Hearts, says:
“As a bereaved parent myself I know how hard that walk was and still can be, living without my son, Theo. For the families that we support, we know that each step they have to make, can take a momentous amount of energy and courage – that first step out of hospital without their baby, that first step out of the front door, walking through the doors on their return to work…

We are asking as many people as possible to get involved in Baby Loss Awareness Week and help ensure we can continue to walk alongside bereaved families, providing a lifeline through our specialist counselling and peer support”.

More information regarding taking part in one of the charity’s Baby Loss Awareness Week events, or for more information on how businesses or the public can fundraise and support the charity can be found by contacting the charity at info@heldinourhearts.org.uk.

 

Chris Riach and Caroline Whitten, Legal Directors

Professional services firm Pinsent Masons has strengthened its financial services offering in Scotland with the appointment of Legal Director, Caroline Whitten, who has joined from Sainsbury’s Bank.

Based in Edinburgh, consumer credit specialist Caroline will work alongside recently appointed insurance regulatory and commercial Legal Director, Chris Riach, who has rejoined Pinsent Masons after several years in-house with a large life insurer.

Pinsent Masons’ Edinburgh office in the financial district’s Capital Square is also home to the firm’s UK Head of asset management and investment funds practice, David Young, who is adding two associate lawyers to his team.

The financial services team is also bolstered by the addition of two newly qualified solicitors from the firm’s traineeship programme and the recent Financial Services sector appointment of Amie Bain as a pensions Partner in Glasgow.

The appointments mean Pinsent Masons will have 10 funds, insurance and financial services experts working from Edinburgh and Glasgow which are part of a 52-strong group advising financial services clients in the UK, Ireland, Luxembourg and Dubai.

Colin Read, Partner and Head of Regulatory, Insurance & Funds at Pinsent Masons, said: “We are delighted to welcome Caroline to the team and her extensive retail banking and regulatory expertise will undoubtedly improve our overall offering to financial services clients in Scotland and further afield.

“Together with the earlier appointment of Chris Riach in Edinburgh, this signals a clear commitment to strengthening our capabilities in what is a dynamic and competitive market. Our enlarged Scottish team also benefits from Pinsent Masons’ wider London and international presence as we support clients looking to explore global growth opportunities.”