I recently enjoyed an illustrated talk by local historian, Archie Foley, on the subject of entertainment in Portobello through the ages. It was incredible to learn how many theatres and cinemas we once had, the twice daily performances at the end of the pier, the second oldest permanently sited funfair in Britain. Difficult to imagine now the scale of the Marine Gardens and the variety of entertainment on offer. Add to that the tennis courts, putting and croquet greens, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, trampolines, roller skating and dance halls. Over the years Portobello has hosted horse racing, dog racing, boxing and speedway. It is no wonder that visitors flocked here in their thousands when you consider the range and quality of attractions on offer.
Sadly, not much of this remains. With the notable exception of Blackpool (kitsch, ironic self parody) British seaside resorts have been in terminal decline for several decades. The Costa del Sol became affordable to the masses and it was warmer, sexier and more sophisticated. Soon, a holiday abroad became a lifestyle accessory as essential as a colour telly. Times change, fashions change and Porty’s golden days receded into the past.
So if the party is over, what now? How do we go about re-inventing Portobello? How do we market it? Are we poised to become the next Leith or Granton? Are we going places or just going to the dogs? It’s the big question. Do you have the answer?
Where are we going?
Where are we going?
There's a lot of history there Bob which should be availble for both tourists and locals to see and savour for now and years to come.
It would be wonderful to have a visitor cente in Portobello so a lot of these sorts of things could be remembered and it would be a big attraction.
Possibly such information form part of a permanent exhibition in the town hall or library close by?
It would be wonderful to have a visitor cente in Portobello so a lot of these sorts of things could be remembered and it would be a big attraction.
Possibly such information form part of a permanent exhibition in the town hall or library close by?
Kevin.
Where are we going?
Hi,
A visitor centre for Portobello would be excellent!
Maybe it could be built on the Scottish Power site. It would be big enough to provide visitor and coach parking as well as a magnificent building to house all the history of Portobello.
That would create an upturn in the local economy and bring visitors to the town in significant numbers.
Good idea if we could get Lottery funding!
Susan
A visitor centre for Portobello would be excellent!
Maybe it could be built on the Scottish Power site. It would be big enough to provide visitor and coach parking as well as a magnificent building to house all the history of Portobello.
That would create an upturn in the local economy and bring visitors to the town in significant numbers.
Good idea if we could get Lottery funding!
Susan
Re: Where are we going?
I would have thought that any Visitor Centre would be better sited on the Prom, there is plenty of parking at the existing Leisure Centre for Coaches (if there are enough people interested that a coach would be required) perhaps one of the amusement arcades could be 'made over' to house a Visitor Centre, I heard talk a few years ago that the Old Tower on the Prom was being looked at by the PCC/PAS!! for a proposed Visitor Centre??
I think that the Scottish Power site would be better utilised for much needed sympathetically designed residential housing , also to de-industrialize the 'GATEWAY' to Portobello. Obviously it goes without saying that more residents mean more trade for local businesses.
The major problem as I see it in the area is : lack of regeneration and investment, we seem to have thousands of £££££££££££ to throw at allottments and revamping paddling pools (well done Lawrence and Maureen !!) but don't we need more than this!!!!
The big picture is that Portobello needs to sadly forget the Golden days, of Fish Suppers/candy floss and kiss me quick hats!! and drag itself into the 21st century where local proprietors meet the needs of a more sophisticated clientelle. There is a need to promote the area in a new way if we want to stay on the Map and bring people into the area to spend !! this way everyone wins.
I think that the Scottish Power site would be better utilised for much needed sympathetically designed residential housing , also to de-industrialize the 'GATEWAY' to Portobello. Obviously it goes without saying that more residents mean more trade for local businesses.
The major problem as I see it in the area is : lack of regeneration and investment, we seem to have thousands of £££££££££££ to throw at allottments and revamping paddling pools (well done Lawrence and Maureen !!) but don't we need more than this!!!!
The big picture is that Portobello needs to sadly forget the Golden days, of Fish Suppers/candy floss and kiss me quick hats!! and drag itself into the 21st century where local proprietors meet the needs of a more sophisticated clientelle. There is a need to promote the area in a new way if we want to stay on the Map and bring people into the area to spend !! this way everyone wins.
Where are we going?
Hi,
I read Gemini's posting with interest.
I do think a visitor centre would be a good idea for Portobello. The siting of such a project would require vehicular access to allow commercial viability. I do think it would attract visitors if it was set up properly because there is a huge amount of interest in the social and industrial past of the town. I must admit that suggesting the Scottish Power site was a bit tongue in cheek! (I have read Gemini's comments elsewhere on the forum and I imagine any development in this area could prove very costly.)
I agree that there has been a lack of regeneration and investment in Portobello. Yet another £650,000 has been spent on a four day event in Leith, couldn't that have been put to better use?
You suggest that local proprietors should drag themselves into the 21st century and meet the needs of a more sophisticated clientele away from fish suppers, candy floss and kiss me quick hats. I have seen various ideas tried in Portobello over the last 30 years, attempting to cater for the sophisticated clientele. The clue to their success is given elsewhere in the forum when requests to provide such facilities have the proviso that they be cheap!
I think there should be provision for all tastes. After all, if people do not want what is on offer - they won't buy it. Simple fact of life.
Perhaps if the clientele were so sophisticated the provision would follow!
Susan
I read Gemini's posting with interest.
I do think a visitor centre would be a good idea for Portobello. The siting of such a project would require vehicular access to allow commercial viability. I do think it would attract visitors if it was set up properly because there is a huge amount of interest in the social and industrial past of the town. I must admit that suggesting the Scottish Power site was a bit tongue in cheek! (I have read Gemini's comments elsewhere on the forum and I imagine any development in this area could prove very costly.)
I agree that there has been a lack of regeneration and investment in Portobello. Yet another £650,000 has been spent on a four day event in Leith, couldn't that have been put to better use?
You suggest that local proprietors should drag themselves into the 21st century and meet the needs of a more sophisticated clientele away from fish suppers, candy floss and kiss me quick hats. I have seen various ideas tried in Portobello over the last 30 years, attempting to cater for the sophisticated clientele. The clue to their success is given elsewhere in the forum when requests to provide such facilities have the proviso that they be cheap!
I think there should be provision for all tastes. After all, if people do not want what is on offer - they won't buy it. Simple fact of life.
Perhaps if the clientele were so sophisticated the provision would follow!
Susan
Re: Where are we going?
Hi
I fully agree with Susan's comments regarding the £650.000 spend on a three day event at Leith which incidentally has turned into a major loss for the council!! think they must be using the same team that costed the Scottish Parliament Folly, which is another absolute disgrace and missmanagement of public funds (incidentally if anyone has been in Princess Street recently - you may have noticed some work being carried out at the National Gallery - One of the Consultant's used for the Scottish Parliament Building, appear to be also involved in this project!!)
However getting back to Portobello and regeneration along with inward investment, I really have no ideas as to what can be done to boost the area's current demenour, Susan mentioned that various projects have been carried out over the years for a clientele that will spend, again Susan was right to say that people always want the best but on the cheap!! So where do we go from here!! Maybe like Leith and other parts of the City we should have some sort team set up to best maximise the potential of Portobello, and I don't mean more pubs.
How do we as a collective go forward with this?
I fully agree with Susan's comments regarding the £650.000 spend on a three day event at Leith which incidentally has turned into a major loss for the council!! think they must be using the same team that costed the Scottish Parliament Folly, which is another absolute disgrace and missmanagement of public funds (incidentally if anyone has been in Princess Street recently - you may have noticed some work being carried out at the National Gallery - One of the Consultant's used for the Scottish Parliament Building, appear to be also involved in this project!!)
However getting back to Portobello and regeneration along with inward investment, I really have no ideas as to what can be done to boost the area's current demenour, Susan mentioned that various projects have been carried out over the years for a clientele that will spend, again Susan was right to say that people always want the best but on the cheap!! So where do we go from here!! Maybe like Leith and other parts of the City we should have some sort team set up to best maximise the potential of Portobello, and I don't mean more pubs.
How do we as a collective go forward with this?
Where do we go from here?
Hi,
There is already a team in place to put together ideas for Portobello.
They are doing things, the promotion and support of the Golden Days event, new benches on the Promenade, the volleyball competition, deckchairs, replacement railings on the Promenade at the Fun Park,etc.
Bob mentioned in his Scotmid piece about local trader apathy in turning out to recent meetings to promote Portobello. Perhaps this is a insight as to why:-
I know that there were not that many traders invited.
The meetings are held at 2.30pm an unsuitable time for independent traders to attend. ( A request was made for meetings to be held in the evenings but the Council workers cannot accommodate this request.)
It took three years for the team to agree and support the last venture that the traders had undertaken.
Perhaps the time is right to have another look at Portobello and find common ground for an approach to its future.
I still like the idea of a Visitor Centre, something big enough to give Portobello a boost! A new starting point for regenerating Portobello!
Susan
There is already a team in place to put together ideas for Portobello.
They are doing things, the promotion and support of the Golden Days event, new benches on the Promenade, the volleyball competition, deckchairs, replacement railings on the Promenade at the Fun Park,etc.
Bob mentioned in his Scotmid piece about local trader apathy in turning out to recent meetings to promote Portobello. Perhaps this is a insight as to why:-
I know that there were not that many traders invited.
The meetings are held at 2.30pm an unsuitable time for independent traders to attend. ( A request was made for meetings to be held in the evenings but the Council workers cannot accommodate this request.)
It took three years for the team to agree and support the last venture that the traders had undertaken.
Perhaps the time is right to have another look at Portobello and find common ground for an approach to its future.
I still like the idea of a Visitor Centre, something big enough to give Portobello a boost! A new starting point for regenerating Portobello!
Susan
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Guest
I agree that a visitor centre would be great for Portobello. However, I think we have to be realistic. It would almost certainly only open during the season. It would probably need to serve a combined function of museum, local tourist office and perhaps café. It might even have to be staffed by volunteers. There is certainly enough history in the area to make it interesting. The Indoor Bowls centre is, in my opinion, a criminally under-used resource. The large café area upstairs might be an option and there is certainly no problem parking.
Re Susan’s comments about the traders, my understanding is that personal invitations were handed out to most, if not all of the local traders. Of these, five (5) turned up. Don’t forget that this was several thousand pounds worth of FREE marketing help from the Council. No strings, no catches. All the traders had to do was show up and offer some input into how the money should be spent. If I were a trader I think I might have arranged for someone to cover me for an hour. Next time City Dev has a bit of spare cash, where do you think it might be directed? The Council helps those who are prepared to help themselves and those of us who seek to re-generate Portobello have to at least show willing. Promoting Portobello is going to require cooperation and coordination. It’s not something you can just throw money at and there is no ‘magic solution’ that anyone in the Council can provide. Above all, we need a strong, pro-active traders association with representation on, and input to, the Community Council and every other group that promotes our community. No-one doubts that Susan and Bill, Khalid and others have done more than their fair share over the years but it is now time that others stepped forward to carry that torch forward into the 21st century.
Re Susan’s comments about the traders, my understanding is that personal invitations were handed out to most, if not all of the local traders. Of these, five (5) turned up. Don’t forget that this was several thousand pounds worth of FREE marketing help from the Council. No strings, no catches. All the traders had to do was show up and offer some input into how the money should be spent. If I were a trader I think I might have arranged for someone to cover me for an hour. Next time City Dev has a bit of spare cash, where do you think it might be directed? The Council helps those who are prepared to help themselves and those of us who seek to re-generate Portobello have to at least show willing. Promoting Portobello is going to require cooperation and coordination. It’s not something you can just throw money at and there is no ‘magic solution’ that anyone in the Council can provide. Above all, we need a strong, pro-active traders association with representation on, and input to, the Community Council and every other group that promotes our community. No-one doubts that Susan and Bill, Khalid and others have done more than their fair share over the years but it is now time that others stepped forward to carry that torch forward into the 21st century.
Where are we going?
Hi Bob,
I would imagine that a Visitor Centre for Portobello would encompass all the things you suggest but I don't think Portobello should settle for a second hand arrangement. Purpose built and properly staffed.
Somewhere that all the Associations of Portobello could contribute to.
Maybe that's part of the problem with Portobello, too ready to accept things done on the cheap. We were promised a community centre and got a converted wash house. We were promised that the Council would implement facilities to attain Blue Flag status in 1995...... the list is long.
As for your comments on the local traders getting cover for an hour or so, its not like an episode of Eastenders where you hand over to the first person you know who passes along, it just isn't that easy!
Meetings that have been organised for the traders in the evening have been well attended, if they are all invited.
I think their needs to be some initiative from the new traders to organise into a strong association. I know the long hours spent being involved in any organisation, unpaid and often frustating at the slow progress being made.
Perhaps some of the 21st Century new traders, many of whom would not support the last venture by the Portobello Merchants' and Hoteliers' 2000 Association, could call a meeting and invite ALL those with business in Portobello to attend, as was done when the Traders were reformed.
Posting invitations and following up with a reminder in person just before the meeting assures a turnout! The initial meetings also have to be funded by the person organising things too - as I well know! (Please remember to invite the proprietor of the Fun Park, the Council left him out too.)
I'll watch with interest but perhaps as an "OLD" trader I will not have the appropriate criteria to warrant an invite!
Susan
I would imagine that a Visitor Centre for Portobello would encompass all the things you suggest but I don't think Portobello should settle for a second hand arrangement. Purpose built and properly staffed.
Somewhere that all the Associations of Portobello could contribute to.
Maybe that's part of the problem with Portobello, too ready to accept things done on the cheap. We were promised a community centre and got a converted wash house. We were promised that the Council would implement facilities to attain Blue Flag status in 1995...... the list is long.
As for your comments on the local traders getting cover for an hour or so, its not like an episode of Eastenders where you hand over to the first person you know who passes along, it just isn't that easy!
Meetings that have been organised for the traders in the evening have been well attended, if they are all invited.
I think their needs to be some initiative from the new traders to organise into a strong association. I know the long hours spent being involved in any organisation, unpaid and often frustating at the slow progress being made.
Perhaps some of the 21st Century new traders, many of whom would not support the last venture by the Portobello Merchants' and Hoteliers' 2000 Association, could call a meeting and invite ALL those with business in Portobello to attend, as was done when the Traders were reformed.
Posting invitations and following up with a reminder in person just before the meeting assures a turnout! The initial meetings also have to be funded by the person organising things too - as I well know! (Please remember to invite the proprietor of the Fun Park, the Council left him out too.)
I'll watch with interest but perhaps as an "OLD" trader I will not have the appropriate criteria to warrant an invite!
Susan
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Guest
Not if I was sending out the invites! You would be top of the list. I may not always agree with everything you say, but anyone who cares passionately about Portobello, as you do, would have to be involved. I don't think it should just be confined to independent traders either. The banks, building societies, Scotmid and other chain stores all have a stake in our community. What it does require is charismatic leadership - someone who can bring together ALL the traders and guest house owners and convince them that cooperation and communal action is the way forward. Cynicism and apathy are for losers. Let's be positive about the future!perhaps as an "OLD" trader I will not have the appropriate criteria to warrant an invite!
Where are we going?
Hi Bob,
Thank you for your kindness to an "OLD" one!
Yes, all the businesses must be included and managers invited. When approached in the past they were very supportive and joined up paying their £100.00 membership for the year. This is where the funding came from to undertake the pedestrian fingerpost signs which have finally appeared this year!
So my next question is who is going to take this forward?
Do you have a volunteer in mind?
Susan
Thank you for your kindness to an "OLD" one!
Yes, all the businesses must be included and managers invited. When approached in the past they were very supportive and joined up paying their £100.00 membership for the year. This is where the funding came from to undertake the pedestrian fingerpost signs which have finally appeared this year!
So my next question is who is going to take this forward?
Do you have a volunteer in mind?
Susan
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Guest
I guess therein lies the problem. I don't pretend to have the answers. Isn't that Richard Barclay's job? I do think though that we need closer ties between the traders and the community. We are dependent on each other and we should be working together toward a common goal. Some traders on the Community Council would be a good start. Perhaps the constitution doesn't permit this, I don't know, but there should be some shared platform.
Where are we going?
Hi Bob,
I don't think that it is Richard Barclay's job to form an association to represent the Traders of Portobello. He certainly can offer support and has done in the past but the motivation must come from the traders themselves.
As for representation on the Community Council. Any local association who registers with the City of Edinburgh Council who has a locally based interest within the constitutional area of Portobello Community Council is eligible to forward a representative for group representation at the meeting called for that purpose after the election of Community Council members. The members are then Representative Members of the Community Council with full member rights for the three year period of the Community Council. (If they cease to be a member of the association they represent then another meeting is called of all associations to allow them all opportunity to put forward candidates. Well that how it used to be by the Community Council rules.)
Any person who resides in the Community Council area, on the electoral roll, can stand as an elected member. If there are more than 20 people, an election is then held.
So there is no reason for the traders not to be represented.
There were many traders on the first few Community Councils in Portobello. At that time the Community Council had an all encompassing agenda policy and any interested member of the public was sent a copy of the minutes and forthcoming agendas and meeting dates.
It kept it alive and interesting. I think the same could be achieved again by putting the information on this site.
Susan
I don't think that it is Richard Barclay's job to form an association to represent the Traders of Portobello. He certainly can offer support and has done in the past but the motivation must come from the traders themselves.
As for representation on the Community Council. Any local association who registers with the City of Edinburgh Council who has a locally based interest within the constitutional area of Portobello Community Council is eligible to forward a representative for group representation at the meeting called for that purpose after the election of Community Council members. The members are then Representative Members of the Community Council with full member rights for the three year period of the Community Council. (If they cease to be a member of the association they represent then another meeting is called of all associations to allow them all opportunity to put forward candidates. Well that how it used to be by the Community Council rules.)
Any person who resides in the Community Council area, on the electoral roll, can stand as an elected member. If there are more than 20 people, an election is then held.
So there is no reason for the traders not to be represented.
There were many traders on the first few Community Councils in Portobello. At that time the Community Council had an all encompassing agenda policy and any interested member of the public was sent a copy of the minutes and forthcoming agendas and meeting dates.
It kept it alive and interesting. I think the same could be achieved again by putting the information on this site.
Susan
-
Guest
Agreed.I don't think that it is Richard Barclay's job to form an association to represent the Traders of Portobello. He certainly can offer support and has done in the past but the motivation must come from the traders themselves.
Thanks for the clarification. This being the case, the traders certainly SHOULD be represented.So there is no reason for the traders not to be represented.
Community Council minutes will definitely be going online in the near future, along with lots of other information designed to encourage wider participation.I think the same could be achieved again by putting the information on this site.