The Edinburgh Reporter October 2023

(EdinReporter) #1

14


By BUSINESS REPORTER

BUZZWORKS HOLDINGS’ most recent
opening in Greenock has enjoyed record trade
during the first weeks of operation. In
Edinburgh they have opened Herringbone
Abbeyhill and in South Queensferry they have
opened 30 Knots with its sister outdoor
location at Outboard which is totally dog
friendly with great views of the bridges.
Managing Director, Kenny Blair, said he is
looking to accelerate this growth by taking
their winning formula to even more new
locations. He said: “It’s been a challenging
climate for hospitality operators for some time
and we’ve not been immune, but the
tailwind of opportunity is here and we
plan to catch it.
“Based on insights from across
our portfolio, as well as our detailed
understanding of the market,
we believe there is an opportunity
for significant growth in Scotland.
You have to look for the opportunities
and adjust – the best companies
always do and that’s what will
drive us forward at pace.
We have a successful format
and vision that we won’t
compromise on.
“When we open in a new
location our commitment

is to invest in more than bricks and
mortar. It’s not just opening a bar or
restaurant to us. It’s about
community and if we can make
living in a town just that little bit
better, we’ve done our job. We’ve
always stood by this and by creating
jobs and careers for local people,
as well as bringing an
aspirational dining
experience and a place
for socialising, the
community has
shown its support by
coming through our
doors week after week.

We are forever mindful and grateful of that.
“This year, we rolled out our biggest
expansion to date in the East coast and we’re
already seeing the success of that. Our in-house
development team has decades of experience
and is fired up and growth is on the horizon
with three new sites currently under offer. With
new venues comes even more employment
opportunities so we will be looking to grow our
team significantly in the months ahead.
“Our commitment to communities and our
people is stronger than ever. We are confident
that the good momentum we are seeing will
put us in the best possible position to bring the
Buzzworks buzz to more towns and suburbs in
Scotland in the months and years ahead.”

A Library of


Mistakes


The Energy Training Academy brings it all home


Growing Scottish


restaurant chain looking


for interesting new


ventures after their


Edinburgh success


BUSINESS NEWS


Absolutely Buzzing


By STAFF REPORTER

ON THURSDAY 5 OCTOBER at 6 pm
there will be a gathering in the Library of
Mistakes to celebrate the life and work of
Professor Robin Angus.
Robin educated, delighted and
enriched his friends and readers over
many years with his deft use of the
English language and his insight into all
matters relating to investment.
On this special evening Robin’s friends
will read from his work and tell the
stories of his life that shed light upon
why he was such a unique man. There
will, of course, be drinks both before and
after the event where people can meet
to remember Robin who was a friend to
many and an inspiration to many more.

At the Library of Mistakes, 33A Melville
Street Lane EH3 7QB.
Drinks will be served from 18:00 and after
the event. Tickets on Eventbrite.

By BUSINESS REPORTER

THE ENERGY Training Academy has
begun work on the first net zero
home of its kind in the country.
A one-bedroom bungalow is
being built in a 12,000 square feet
training centre in Dalkeith. It will
have a kitchen, living-room and
bathroom, kitted out with the
newest of technologies.
Attic space will provide an
opportunity for solar training,
with solar panels on the front and
back of the roof, a garage space
to store batteries, a hot water
cylinder and boilers.
The aim is to establish Scotland
as a leader in sustainable living and
workforce development, with three
primary objectives: upskilling
engineers and tradespeople,

addressing the retrofitting
challenges in the current built
environment and providing
energy efficiency education for
young people.
The collaboration project involves
The Garage Conversion Company,
which is carrying out the build, and

St Andrews Timber & Building
Supplies, which is donating the
required materials.
Mark Glasgow, founder of the
Energy Training Academy said: “This
has been an ambition of mine for
years and it’s really exciting to see it
start to become a reality,” said

“I firmly believe this initiative
holds significant promise for
Scotland's sustainable future
and will showcase Scotland as a
shining example of sustainability
and innovation. Once complete,
the Net Zero Home will align
perfectly with Scotland's ambitious

climate and educational goals.
“At the academy we recognise the
importance of a skilled workforce to
achieve net-zero emissions. This
initiative includes comprehensive
training programmes for engineers
and tradespeople and upskilling not
only creates employment
opportunities but also empowers
individuals to contribute to a
greener Scotland.
“A key element of the project will
be addressing the complex
challenges of retrofitting existing
buildings to meet net-zero standards
by demonstrating practical solutions.
We’ll showcase how achievable
net-zero or zero-bills homes can be
and aim to inspire homeowners,
businesses, and policymakers to take
action and accelerate the transition
to a sustainable built environment.”

Managing Director,
Kenny Blair

Learning in a
“real” house
Free download pdf