Plan for 7,000 new homes on edge of Scottish city to get green light

The site is on the western edge of Edinburgh (Image: West Town Ltd) The £2 billion development, called West Town, is described as “one the most significant and sustainable urban expansions of Edinburgh in a generation” and is near the airport.

This stage of the development has been recommended for approval and will be considered by councillors on Wednesday.

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Emirates brings forward daily A350 service from Scottish airport

Including Glasgow and Edinburgh, Emirates serves eight destinations in the UK. (Image: Emirates) Emirates has said it will bring forward its daily Airbus A350 scheduled service between Edinburgh and Dubai, with this now starting on January 3.

The airline, which launched a daily service between the Scottish capital and Dubai using a Boeing 777 earlier this month ahead of the arrival of the A350, said the advancement of the scheduled service “reinforces Emirates’ commitment to providing customers with enhanced travel experiences and greater comfort onboard”.

When Emirates touched down in the Scottish capital on November 5, for the first time since 2020, it described the arrival of the A350 as being “highly anticipated”.

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Owner of Glasgow’s Horseshoe bar flags £100m cost hit

The famous pub (Image: Newsquest)

Mitchells & Butlers, the pub giant which owns Glasgow’s famous Horseshoe Bar, declared increases in employer national insurance contributions and the national living wage beginning in April will contribute to a £100 million cost hit this year.

The company said today that “by far the most significant increase” in costs for the current financial year will arise from the measures, which were announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in Labour’s first Budget since returning to power.

“Looking forward, cost headwinds are now anticipated to increase to c.£100m for FY 2025, representing just over 5% on the cost base,” M&Bs told the City this week.

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AROUND THE GREENS

Mar Hall prepares to unveil major changes

This article appeared as part of Kristy Dorsey’s Around The Greens series

Changes to be unveiled (Image: Mar Hall) Located on the banks of the River Clyde in Bishopton, Mar Hall was bought out of administration by Dubai-based Dutco Group in December 2023 with support from asset management firm Align Partners. The five-star resort has since been undergoing a £15 million programme of upgrades and renovations.

Chris McQueen was appointed head of golf at Mar Hall in April, having previously worked at Gleddoch Resort & Spa and Trump Turnberry. He has been in charge of extensive improvement works at the course with support from head greenkeeper Andrew Eckford, previously of Cameron House and Loch Lomond, who also joined Mar Hall earlier this year.

Mr McQueen says the resort is set to be transformed ahead of next year’s annual charity golf day on July 25 in aid of Ardgowan Hospice, with actor Martin Compston and former footballer Frank McAvennie expected to attend.