Essential Edinburgh

50+ venues join Eat Out Edinburgh as March dining festival returns 👉🏼 trib.al/PdZHonP #AD @EdinCityCentre #EatOutEdinburgh #EdinburghFood #EdinburghRestaurants

Edinburgh restaurants unite for Eat Out Edinburgh 2026 👉🏼 trib.al/NKHZICT #AD @EdinCityCentre #EatOutEdinburgh #EdinburghFood #EdinburghRestaurants

In case you missed it: Fantastic deals from 50+ city centre restaurants are live on our #EatOutEdinburgh website! March dining just got a tasty upgrade!

🚨 EXTENSION GRANTED! 🚨 You asked, we listened! Due to last minute demand, we’ve extended ticket sales for the ETAG Conference 2026. Sales close 3pm tomorrow - Wed 4 Feb. This is your absolute FINAL CHANCE to get a ticket! 👇🏼 etag.org.uk/event/etag-con…

Together with @PoliceScotland, Edinburgh's CCTV team, and our robust security initiatives, city centre shops are tackling retail crime head-on! theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2026/01/women-…

While it is a positive that the Scottish Government has gone a small way in reducing the business rate liability for city centre businesses, we share the disappointment of the other trade bodies that this has simply not gone far enough. The majority of our members will still be facing higher business rates in April due to re-evaluations and the loss of relief. Again, we are at a competitive disadvantage to businesses based in England who enjoy far greater reductions set by Westminster. A sticking plaster is always welcome, but it doesn’t solve the key underlying issue that our business rates system needs a major overhaul to support and not hinder business growth. Retail, hospitality and leisure are the cornerstones of our city centres and high streets across Scotland. The increases in costs put on these businesses in recent years is staggering and is having a hugely detrimental impact on the profitability of many. With a Scottish election approaching we urge all political parties to think closely about what they can do to support business rates reform and other measures to support not just growth but also stability in these vital sectors.

Join Scotland to ask the Chancellor to announce a review of tax-free shopping. Why review? Employment & Business: Tourism supports 245,000 jobs, which is about 1 in every 11 jobs in Scotland. internationalretail.co.uk/wp-content/upl… #Growth #labourparty #ukpolitics #labourmp #shopping #Lab25 #budget2025 #Reviewtaxfreeshoppinguk @UKLabour @10DowningStreet @RachelReevesMP @darrenpjones @PeterCBowyer @MCrothall @st_alliance @roddycsmith1 @MayorOfWY @SpenceLivermore @D_G_Alexander @lisanandy @peterkyle @GlobalBlueGroup #Growth #labourparty #ukpolitics #labourmp #shopping #Lab25 #budget2025 #Reviewtaxfreeshoppinguk @UKLabour @LCRMayor @10DowningStreet @RachelReevesMP @darrenpjones @PeterCBowyer @MichaelSturrock @SpenceLivermo @LandsecGroup

Edinburgh’s Business Festival by @EdinChamber is set to be a high-impact half-day event! In partnership with RBS, it explores “Fuelling Good Economic Growth” through keynotes, panels & workshops. Connect with innovators shaping our city’s future. edinburghchamber.co.uk/events/edinbur…

Ahead of the Autumn Budget, 'High Streets UK' — with Essential Edinburgh as one of its founding members — is calling for vital reforms to boost growth and jobs. Our submission urges lower business rates, a freeze on multiplier increases, stronger policing, and a modern VAT-free shopping scheme. You can read the full submission here: 3220666.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/3220666/…

We're proud to share the Essential Edinburgh Annual Review 2024–2025! See how city centre businesses have helped shape a vibrant, thriving centre of #Edinburgh. Huge thanks to everyone who joined our AGM today — great to see you! 👉issuu.com/essentialedin/…

A big shout out to the 700+ accredited #LivingWage employers in #Edinburgh! 👏 You have strengthened the ambition to 'Make Edinburgh a Living Wage City’. Find out more about the benefits of becoming a Living Wage employer 👇 scottishlivingwage.org #LivingWageWeek #FairWork

EARLY BIRD TICKET OFFER FOR #ETAG26 ENDS SOON! ⏰ Don't miss out on our *10% off* Early Bird Ticket offer. Offer ends this Sunday 2 November. BOOK ASAP 👇 eventbrite.co.uk/e/etag-26-conf…

EDINBURGH TOURISM TALKS: Accessible & Inclusive Tourism in practice 💜 Gain real-world insights & actionable tips from other tourism businesses in the city that are leading the way in accessible tourism. 📅 Wed 29 Oct 🕚 11am - 12pm Sign-up👇 eventbrite.co.uk/e/edinburgh-to…

Grateful for the invitation - we apprecitaed being part of the discussion.

Delighted to see the Scottish Government backing the campaign to reinstate tax-free shopping in the UK. We hosted a roundtable with @AIRretail & @st_alliance at The Balmoral Hotel to keep the pressure on Westminster - tourism & retail need this. dailybusinessgroup.co.uk/2025/10/robiso…

What a great morning! #Edinburgh’s first Tourism Industry Group Volunteering event was a brilliant example of collaboration, community spirit, and environmental care. Huge thanks to Jac at ETAG and The Water of Leith Conservation Trust @WOLCT for organising the event.

Delighted that the @scotgov has reaffirmed its support for the reinstatement of tax free shopping. @EssentialEdin @st_alliance #highstreetsuk @AIRretail the_brc @The_Balmoral @JWPrincesStreet @ScotchWhiskySWA @ROXJewellery @LaingsJewellers @hamiltoninches

Hospitality is in crisis. Despite record-breaking takings during Oasis gigs, #Edinburgh pubs like Signature Group are barely breaking even. Rising costs are crushing profits. Rates relief is vital @scotparl @JohnSwinney @_KateForbes @ShonaRobison edinburghinquirer.co.uk/p/oasis-put-25…

The removal of tax-free shopping is costing Scotland £457m annually. scottishfinancialnews.com/articles/remov…

Join Scotland to ask the Chancellor to announce a review of tax-free shopping. Scottish Airports says, The effect on Scottish airports is profound. Many regional UK airports are heavily reliant on retail revenue to support their ability to reinvest in infrastructure and attract new routes and carriers. Edinburgh Airport, for example, relied on retail sales for up to 38% of its total revenue in 2019, Aberdeen up to 20% and Glasgow 17% with duty free alcohol and tobacco sales making up only a small portion of total airside sales, the removal of the Airside VAT exemption has put up to 70% of potential sales at risk at Scottish airports. internationalretail.co.uk/wp-content/upl… #Growth #labourparty #ukpolitics #labourmp #shopping #Lab25 #budget2025 #Reviewtaxfreeshoppinguk @UKLabour @10DowningStreet @RachelReevesMP @darrenpjones @PeterCBowyer @MCrothall @st_alliance @roddycsmith1 @SpenceLivermore @D_G_Alexander @lisanandy @peterkyle @GlobalBlueGroup #Growth #labourparty #ukpolitics #labourmp #shopping #Lab25 #budget2025 #Reviewtaxfreeshoppinguk @UKLabour @10DowningStreet @RachelReevesMP @darrenpjones @PeterCBowyer @MichaelSturrock @SpenceLivermore @D_G_Alexander @lisanandy @peterkyle @GlobalBlueGroup @IanMurrayMP