West End residents versus the world's biggest investment fund manager
Plus: Why small may prove beautiful for city's independent brewers
BlackRock, a capsule hotel and ‘a cynical bid to undermine local democracy’
Developers linked to the world’s biggest investment fund, BlackRock, are being accused of “cynically undermining local democracy” in their bid to create a huge capsule hotel in the West End.
Canary Wharf-based Atholl Crescent Propco (ACP) have submitted plans to turn four townhouses in the city’s World Heritage Site into a capsule hotel split into small accommodation pods aimed at younger “Gen Z” travelers.
Their proposals for the former Brodies solicitors head offices have proved controversial with more than 280 objections including from the Cockburn Association, the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland and West End Community Council.
The developers have now appealed over the heads of the city council for the Scottish Government to decide their application, in a move that has been condemned as being “cynical” and “undermining local democracy” by local councillors from all political parties.
Can they do that? Isn’t it dodgy? The developers appeal is perfectly legal under rights designed to prevent unreasonable delays in ruling on planning applications. The day after three months had passed since submitting their application, ACP lodged an appeal to the Scottish Government which takes the decision out of the council’s hands. It is not unusual for large and controversial applications to take much longer than three months to determine, especially for an A-listed building such as this within the World Heritage Site. Plans are often adapted through discussion between developers and council officials in an effort to meet local concerns before a ruling is made. Appealing ahead of a council decision is relatively unusual and a tactic usually adopted in the face of strong local opposition and in anticipation of plans being refused.
Who are BlackRock and how are they involved? ACP is an entity registered in Canary Wharf, London, specifically for this proposed development. Investigations by The Inquirer show it is linked to a series of similar developments across the UK and to New York-headquartered BlackRock, the world’s biggest investment fund manager. BlackRock reportedly bought an option on developing 14-17 Atholl Place and company records show ACP was formerly controlled by Luxembourg-registered EFVI (UK) Investment Holdings, whose UK address is the same as BlackRock’s London office. The Inquirer has contacted BlackRock, who are not necessarily responsible for the management of the development, and Glasgow-based Ica Architects, who submitted the planning application.
BlackRock is almost doubling its 800-strong workforce in Edinburgh after moving to new offices at Canonmills as part of a major expansion of its operations in the UK. It is also a part owner of Edinburgh Airport.
Why are so many residents so against the plans? They fear the pod-style accommodation will attract hundreds of backpackers and younger travelers a week, changing the nature of the street and resulting in noise and other disturbances. The applicants say it will be a hotel, rather than a hostel, designed to appeal to Gen Z travelers.
What happens next? A Scottish Government Planning Reporter will decide whether or not to grant planning permission for the pod hotel. Residents tried to raise their concerns directly with the Reporter, Katherine Chorley, during a recent site visit.
YOUR EDINBURGH BRIEFING
CALDERS PROTESTS: Hundreds of people took part in an anti-immigration protest in the Calders area following a stabbing which was linked to mass immigration by Reform’s Scottish leader Malcolm Offord. Police intervened to keep protesters, who chanted slogans such as “stop the boats”, from confronting a counter-protest group organised by trade unionists and anti-racism campaigners. Mustafa Kokoneh, 23, has been remanded in custody after being charged with two counts of attempted murder following last Monday’s stabbing.
QUEEN’S ROOMS: The private rooms Queen Elizabeth II used at Holyrood Palace are to be opened to the public for the first time from 21 May to mark the centenary of her birth. Meanwhile, the Royal Yacht Britannia is planning special events to mark its 30th anniversary of its arrival in Leith, as well as promotional events in Japan and Hong Kong, after seeing visitor numbers drop over the last two years.
MUSIC’S OVER: The former Cavendish nightclub - which once played host to Pink Floyd, The Jam and The Ramones - has been demolished to make way for a student flats development. Planning permission was granted in 2024 for 145 student flats to be built on the West Tollcross site.
DELIVERY RIDERS FACE VIOLENCE: Food delivery riders face violence, danger and theft when working in Edinburgh, according to a survey by the Workers’ Observatory, which hopes to open a city centre support hub where they can report incidents. (You can read more about the poor conditions faced by the delivery drivers here ‘You can make as little as £3 in an hour’: Inside Edinburgh’s gig economy)
HISTORIC STUDENT HAUNT: The world’s oldest purpose-built student union building has reopened following a major refurbishment. Edinburgh University’s Teviot Row House, which is a popular Fringe venue every August, first opened in 1889.
GANGLAND MURDER BID: A 21-year-old man has pleaded guilty to attempted murder following a violent attack during the drug gang violence which blighted Edinburgh and Glasgow last year. Joshua Stewart will be sentenced at a later date after admitting carrying out the attack in Pitcairn Grove, in the Greenbank area, when he appeared at the High Court in Glasgow.
CAMERON TOLL: New details of proposals for the redevelopment of Cameron Toll have outlined how the shopping centre could become “a 20-minute neighbourhood” and “a genuine town centre” for the local area. Key details include retaining and improving the shopping facilities, including the Sainsbury’s supermarket, and building 500 family homes and student accommodation. It would also feature an improved Braid Burn walkway and a tram stop for a potential future extension of the line.
GLASGOW FIRE & TRAINS: Trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow Central face disruption today, and potentially much longer, after a devastating fire in neighbouring Union Street shut Central Station “until further notice”.
Pic of the week
THE BUSINESS
Small beer may be best for local craft brewers
It has been a decidedly flat few days for the craft beer sector in Scotland – and in particular in the Capital. The news that Innis & Gunn, the sector’s shining star founded in the city in 2003, has had to be rescued from administration, with the loss of around 100 jobs, has seen more than a few crying into their beer.
The company was the biggest player to emerge from the sector so far in Edinburgh, and followed hard on the heels of the sale of Aberdeenshire-based craft beer giant Brewdog, sold to US-based Tilray from administration for £33m seeing the loss of hundreds of jobs and with thousands of small investors locked out.
Innis & Gunn was a shock to the system, with its stellar reputation for the quality of its products and also as a well-run company. It has been bought by Tennents Lager owners C&C for £4.5 million, again with all 105 staff losing their jobs. The company, a production partner for some years, intends to maintain the beer brands.
Financing growth while dealing with difficult trading headwinds for the sector have been major contributors, so with two of the sector’s biggest beasts exiting, how might the future look for Edinburgh remaining 15-20 craft breweries? Interestingly, it may prove that small will be beautiful.
Dougal Gunn Sharp, Innis & Gunn founder, said of the rescue deal: “While this outcome is not what any of us hoped for, I’m glad the brand has found a home with C&C Group. We’ve worked closely with the team for many years and they have the scale, distribution and experience to take Innis & Gunn forward.”
Both larger breweries had invested heavily in scaling up, with increased costs escalated further by, for example, high inflation, high energy costs, and higher costs of employment. Meantime the cost of living crisis has seen consumers cut spending, and shelf space on supermarkets has become even more competitive.
Strong Local
Smaller operations do face many of the same difficulties, but operate from far more modest premises – around 80% of the city’s craft breweries are micro-breweries – and operate flexible production schedules that aim for agility and appeal to a hyper-local market.
They have strong local followings with direct to consumer sales, and enjoy taproom popularity, and there can also be tax advantages, as we explained in this piece looking at the city’s craft brewing scene.
Neil Walker, Head of Communications at the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), explained lockdown also saw many more people discover small, local breweries, and told us: “By buying beer direct from your local independent brewery you’re helping create jobs in the local community, supporting the local economy, and putting money back into Scotland rather than giving it to global beer companies.”
Time will tell. However, with a UK National “Indie Beer Week” due in April, and with The Pitt in Edinburgh set to host Indie Beer Scotland in June – the biggest festival of independent brewing in Scotland – there will be ample opportunities for beer-lovers to show their commitment to the independent cause.
FLAT REJECTION: A group of local businesses have warned that efforts to turn a local office building into short term lets is placing the future of the Shore in Leith in doubt. The Shore Business Collective has launched a campaign against a planning application to convert Waterside House, home to several businesses, and are being backed by Ben Macpherson MSP for Edinburgh Northern & Leith. The businesses maintain it will negatively impact footfall, by removing year-round local spend.
ELITE FIRM: Edinburgh letting agent Clan Gordon has been ranked among the UK’s top 100 small and medium-sized businesses for the second year running after being named in the 2026 Elite Business 100, run by Elite Business magazine.
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT
WOMEN’S MURAL: Don’t miss the return of the Edinburgh Women’s Mural to the Central Library. Created by members of the community in 2022 in response to the lack of representation of women in public spaces in the Capital, it is on show until the end of March to mark Women’s History Month.
GREEK TRAGEDY: If you’re quick, you can catch the Company of Wolves production of The Bacchae at the Festival Theatre’s Studio tonight and tomorrow. Expect an intense production from a company with roots in Poland’s rich physical theatre traditions.
OCEAN ORCHESTRA: Stunning cinema footage of life under the sea, with narration by the superlative Sir David Attenborough accompanied by a full symphony orchestra, Ocean in Concert comes to he Usher Hall on Thursday, at 7.30pm. Tickets from £29.50.
QUICK BITES
BITE BACK: The original Social Bite cafe, located on Rose Street, has reopened to the public following a six-week renovation.The upgrade is the first for the site since its opening in 2012. The café is renowned for its mission to help tackle homelessness through food and jobs, and its hugely supported fund-raising initiatives.
STORY ENDS: Foodstory, a popular cafe on Easter Road, has shut down after three years in the Capital to focus on their three locations in Aberdeen.
Thanks, Rob! That was a wonderful message to come into after a very busy weekend. Much appreciated.
You produce and deliver quite an incredible and wide ranging news bulletin which deserves far wider readership. Thank you for your efforts!