Good news

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 15 Jun 2005, 17:21

From the EN:

Bookies' favourite for rejection

Portobello: Proposals for a betting shop on Portobello High Street are set to be thrown out by the city council.

Bookmakers Coral had applied for a change of use to 162 High Street to open a betting shop.

Local residents have objected to the plans, stating that there are already three betting shops on the High Street.

Officers have recommended that the planning committee refuse the application, as it would create too many non-retail outlets on the street.

This is an important retail site and a bookies is the last thing most people would want there. No more bookies, no more charity shops, no more pubs and I no more takeaways thanks.

So what would we like? How about a Portobello Online community cafÃƒÂ©? Now there's a thought.

Lizzie · Post by **Lizzie** » 15 Jun 2005, 17:51

That is really good news Bob

we do not need another Bookies

I agree with all of your "no mores" but would like to add hairdressers, bakers and fruit shops to the list.

I think Community Cafe is a super idea

It's got my vote

Robin! · Post by **Robin!** » 15 Jun 2005, 18:55

I would like a car parts shop, but I dont think its the right area for one.

foxy · Post by **foxy** » 15 Jun 2005, 18:59

Robin! wrote:I would like a car parts shop, but I dont think its the right area for one.

I like my cars ready made

Robin! · Post by **Robin!** » 15 Jun 2005, 19:01

foxy wrote:
Robin! wrote:I would like a car parts shop, but I dont think its the right area for one.
I like my cars ready made

Boom boom

Nah, it would save me going to Halfrauds

Novastar · Post by **Novastar** » 15 Jun 2005, 21:43

Robin! wrote:Nah, it would save me going to Halfrauds

Try the parts shop at the top of Leith Walk - has some good bits and pieces in there.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 15 Jun 2005, 22:55

Lizzie wrote:I agree with all of your "no mores" but would like to add hairdressers, bakers and fruit shops to the list.

A brand new hairdresser has just opened up in the old Joppa Post Office.

nads · Post by **nads** » 16 Jun 2005, 07:23

I would like to see a shoe shop, or another shop along the lines of Kirwoods, you could always buy something to wear

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 16 Jun 2005, 09:18

I would like to see a shop where the Assistant tells you exactly what you can buy your wife for her birthday the following day and then gift wrap it. This transaction would of course be taking place just before midnight when the shop closes.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 16 Jun 2005, 11:17

Lizzie wrote:I think Community Cafe is a super idea.
It's got my vote

Dream on (Not specifically you Lizzie ).

Kirkwoods still own the site. The shop rent is around Ã‚Â£30,000 a year, which means that the Rates are Ã‚Â£14,100. When the Blue Bean Cafe was advertised for sale it stated turnover as cÃ‚Â£75,000. Unless there were no staff costs a community cafe does not stack up on that site. And even then it would be extremly doubtful.

Having said that, I am amazed that Popeye's survives, even although the rent is only about Ã‚Â£12,000pa. It never seeems to be busy and the staff don't appear to be very animated.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 16 Jun 2005, 17:35

Whatever it is it will hopefully be a bit 'upmarket' selling good quality things and it won't be painted canary yellow

Something like the Farrow & Ball wallpaper and paint shop which people would actually travel to get to (like I do - and at least one other member of the forum does

)

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 16 Jun 2005, 18:10

Epykat wrote:Whatever it is it will hopefully be a bit 'upmarket' selling good quality things ........... Something like the Farrow & Ball wallpaper and paint shop which people would actually travel to get to (like I do - ....)

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 16 Jun 2005, 18:20

What's this, Marya? Is it more Portobello eye candy to rival Porty and PoP??

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 16 Jun 2005, 18:23

Poppy wrote:What's this, Marya? Is it more Portobello eye candy to rival Porty and PoP??

Not a "Chewin the Fat" fan then Poppy?

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 16 Jun 2005, 18:37

Marya wrote:
Epykat wrote:Whatever it is it will hopefully be a bit 'upmarket' selling good quality things ........... Something like the Farrow & Ball wallpaper and paint shop which people would actually travel to get to (like I do - ....)

Nice one, M.

I'd like a Portobello branch of Fopp or Avalanche. It'd be great to have somewhere local to pick up CDs.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 16 Jun 2005, 18:43

Marya wrote:
Poppy wrote:What's this, Marya? Is it more Portobello eye candy to rival Porty and PoP??

Not a "Chewin the Fat" fan then Poppy?

I recognise the actions ...... but not the 'talent'!!

.......................A couple of minutes later, Poppy - who has been busy regrouting the bath and so very weary!! - realises what Marya's post meant!!

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 16 Jun 2005, 18:59

Poppy wrote: .......................A couple of minutes later, Poppy - who has been busy regrouting the bath and so very weary!! - realises what Marya's post meant!!

Don't try to kid us that you're weary from home improving when I know you nicked off this afty for a leisurely lunch.

It's not weariness, silly, it's a hangover kicking in. Get a drink down the neck now and you'll get a second wind.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 16 Jun 2005, 19:08

Don't try to kid us that you're weary from home improving when I know you nicked off this afty for a leisurely lunch.

Just for the record, dearest ecm, I had NO drink at lunch and was home by 4 and so had time to tart up* the bath etc etc as I have unexpected visitors from Australia coming

I'll take your advice, though, and have a glasso of vino later!

*Have to be honest and say that I used that plastic sealant strip stuff rather than a gun thingy!!

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 16 Jun 2005, 19:33

Marya wrote:
Epykat wrote:Whatever it is it will hopefully be a bit 'upmarket' selling good quality things ........... Something like the Farrow & Ball wallpaper and paint shop which people would actually travel to get to (like I do - ....)

I was actually talking about you

That did come out a wee bit snobby sounding - I haven't actually BOUGHT anything in the shop I just like to look

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 16 Jun 2005, 19:52

Actually..... I'll think you find I shopped at 'Fired Earth'

Then, when Homer managed to paint our new bathroom a weird two-tone combination of blue and pink , because he failed to mix the paint properly ( after telling me that I was not allowed to paint as I would make a botch of it

) I was forced to nip along to B&Q , where I bought some Dulex which was a fraction of the price of the first paint and almost an exact colour match.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 16 Jun 2005, 20:13

I do apologise - I knew it was some kind of snobby shop

And I certainly hope you meant DULUX and not some other kind of rubbery paint you might get in the Chemist

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 16 Jun 2005, 20:21

Maybe its an Ann Summers shop that Portobello needs!

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 16 Jun 2005, 20:22

Now, there's an idea

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 16 Jun 2005, 21:36

Epykat wrote:I do apologise - I knew it was some kind of snobby shop And I certainly hope you meant DULUX and not some other kind of rubbery paint you might get in the Chemist

Oops! There was a Social Ed. class in my classroom today and there were some interesting words up on the whiteboard

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 16 Jun 2005, 21:40

I would like an "Oddbins" please

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 16 Jun 2005, 22:02

"Real Foods" for me with an extended wine selection so I can get my non-dairy stuff AND some cheeky wines at the same time [and with a Napiers the Herbalist franchise to save me trips to Teviot Place for my special creams and special [yuck] tea!!

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 16 Jun 2005, 22:12

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 18 Jun 2005, 08:21

From Lawrence Marshall:

Dear All,

I thought that you might be interested in receiving a copy of the attached report which recommended refusal of planning permission to change the former Kirkwoods ladies fashion shop at the top of Bath Street into a licensed betting office.

This prominent corner site needs life and a betting office is pretty well a location where all activity is hidden away from public view - notwithstanding the former use of these premises as a bank. I was therefore most pleased that this report went through committee on Wednesday. I'm sure that others will wish to snap us this important site for purposes more suitable to its corner location.

Lawrence

extract from report:

Conditions/Reasons associated with the Recommendation

Recommendation

It is recommended that this application be REFUSED for the reasons below.

Reasons

1. The proposal is considered contrary to Policy S5 of the North East Edinburgh Local Plan as the proposed change of use would take the non-retail to 33%, 13% above the allowance within the Policy. The proposal would therefore be considered detrimental to the vitality and viability of the shopping centre.