Hey! Nashy here 👋
Welcome to your weekly Thriving Newsletter!
Keeping you up to date with what’s happening in the city, highlighting local businesses, events and being your ‘boots on the ground’ telling Edinburgh stories and finding hidden gems.
Our Thriving Card now has 111 local and independent businesses registered. Huge thanks to every business for their support so far.
Our business directory is coming together nicely and we will soon be releasing more info about the Local and Tourist membership options and costs.
This week's newsletter includes:
🔥New business SHOUT OUT!
🏪 Local business highlights
☕️Pick your coffee spot
📅 Dates for your diary and weekend events
Let's get into it! 👇
THERE’S A NEW SPOT IN TOWN!
Sent to me last night!
POURBOY COFFEE - A new Police Box serving Soups, Snacks & Coffee on Orwell Place, Dalry.
Give them a follow, drop by and say hello. Every new business deserves a chance and support. Lets GO Edinburgh.
Thanks to Cameron for the DM on Insta and letting me know about Pourboy. I’ll be sure to visit soon!
Blueberry gets Incredible Community Response in East Lothian.
🛍️Gifts, Cards and Community
Sharon, the owner of Blueberry Gifts, recently reached out to her local community asking for help following the slowest start to a year EVER!
I was tagged by several people so I went along for a visit last Friday. Sharon was keen to record a video and we had a good chat about life as a business owner and building a profile on social media.
Sharon has to balance the day-to-day running of the shop around family life and being her own marketing agency. The demand on business owners is huge and when customers aren’t visiting or buying that stress really mounts up quickly.
I was pleased to see Sharon’s shop busy last Friday and she could not believe how quickly her local community reacted and visited.
The video I made for Sharon has had over 75K views and I am happy to play a small part in helping her tell her story and get her business in front of more people.
📍 59 High St, Musselburgh
☕️Where are you getting your coffee?
We are spoilt for top coffee spots in Edinburgh and I’m curious to know your favourites?
FUN FACT: This coffee was enjoyed on the Island of Koh Chang, Thailand during our recent adventure around the world!
Any of these your favourites? Click and give them a follow.
These are all Edinburgh coffee spots that will feature on our Thriving Card!
Have you got a favourite café that we don’t know about? Send us the details so we can go and visit.
Did you know that Edinburgh has over 230 cafes? This makes it one of the highest numbers of coffee shops per capita in the UK, with only Brighton offering more per head.
👶Joy Tots - A go-to pitstop for mums and dads.
☕️ Joy Tots Baby Playground, Coffee and Cakes
On Tuesday this week I set off on one of my wanders bagging over 20k steps around town when I stumbled upon Joy Tots on Ferry Road.
Isla, the owner, was behind the counter and I’m glad I caught her. It was great to hear about the business and how running a mixed use venue works.
Joy Tots is a haven for mums and dads with a secure, easy reach place for their babies to play while parents enjoy cake, coffee or tea and a well earned rest.
The video I shared is a call out for all Dad’s to come and check out places like Joy Tots for an easy parenting win.
Gather the troops and head along for a visit, you will love it!
📍 117 Ferry Road, Edinburgh
📣 WORTH SHOUTING ABOUT: Dates for you Diary
🏒USA vs Canada Ice Hockey at Murrayfield
The three matches will be held from Wednesday 22nd April - Sunday 26th April, in what the organisers have described as the UK's biggest ice hockey series and it’s here on our doorstep for us to enjoy at Murrayfield.
The US vs Canadian rivalry is among the fiercest in the sport, promising a high-energy contest for the cup. All players are NHL alumni.
📍 Murrayfield Ice Rink
🧺 Edinbrick 2026 - Charity Lego Show
After 2025's record sell out, Scotland's Biggest LEGO display show returns for 2026!
After fantastic feedback they are returning to Meadowbank Sports Centre.
There are still some tickets available. Link below.
🗓️ Saturday 9th May & Sunday 10th May 2026!
📍 Meadowbank Stadium
👩🏻🍳Persian New Year Cooking Class
Why not add Persian Cuisine to your cooking skills with this upcoming masterclass.
Solmaz Eradat brings her expertise in crafting delicious Persian food with this Persian New Year themed class. You’ll be learning to make Persian Noodle Soup and Walnut & Rose water meringues.
An absolute treat for the taste buds.
🗓️ Saturday 21st March, 10:30am - 2pm
📍 66- 88 Jane Street, Edinburgh, EH6 5HG
🎪 WHAT'S ON THIS WEEKEND: Fri 20th – Sun 22nd March
FRIDAY 20TH MARCH
📚 Edinburgh Book Fair Scotland's largest rare book fair. Dozens of specialist dealers, rare finds for all budgets and a free valuations table.
Friday: 12pm-7pm, Saturday: 10am-4pm. 🆓 Free entry.
SATURDAY 21ST MARCH
🥕 Edinburgh Farmers Market Fresh Scottish produce, artisan food and independent traders in the shadow of the castle.
Saturday: 9am-2pm. 🆓 Free. 📍 Castle Terrace, EH1 2EN
🛍️ Grassmarket Market Arts, crafts, gifts and locally made food in one of Edinburgh's most iconic spots.
Saturday: 10am-5pm. 🆓 Free. 📍 Grassmarket, EH1 2JR
🐟 Leith Market Fresh produce, home bakes and local makers down at Dock Place.
Saturday: 10am-4pm. 🆓 Free. 📍 Dock Place, Leith, EH6 6LU
🏡 Newhailes House Market 30 stalls of handmade goods, local food and gifts in a stunning East Lothian estate courtyard.
Saturday & Sunday: 9:30am-3pm. 🆓 Free. 📍 Newhailes House, Musselburgh, EH21 6RY
🎵 The Fureys — Farewell Tour Legends of Irish folk playing their final ever Haddington show. Don't miss it!
Saturday: 7:30pm. 🎟️ Book ahead. 📍 Corn Exchange, Court Street, Haddington, EH41 3DS
SUNDAY 22ND MARCH
☕ Stockbridge Market Artisan bread, cheese, baked goods, crafts and street food beside the Water of Leith.
Every Sunday: 10am-4pm. 🆓 Free. 📍 Saunders Street, Stockbridge, EH3 6TQ
🏡 Newhailes House Market Back for Sunday. Combine it with a woodland walk and a coffee in the estate cafe.
Sunday: 9:30am-3pm. 🆓 Free. 📍 Newhailes House, Musselburgh, EH21 6RY
👗 ClothesCycle Thrift Market 100+ vintage and preloved sellers across 25,000 sq ft. DJs, food, drinks and a free clothing swap.
Sunday: 11am-5pm. 🎟️ Book ahead. 📍 Meadowbank Sports Centre, 139 London Road, EH7 6AE
🎹 Billy Joel Songbook A night of classic Billy Joel hits performed live at Usher Hall. Only a few tickets left!
Sunday: 7:30pm. 🎟️ Book ahead. 📍 Usher Hall, Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH1 2EA
That's your lot for this week!
Coming up next week…. it’s back to property prices!
Thank you SO much for your support. Abby and I hope you find our Newsletter helpful and informative.
Know a business or owner that deserves a shout-out? Reply to this e-mail and let us know.
Our Newsletter is a place to shine a spotlight on the many brilliant local businesses on our doorstep and to keep you in the loop on local events and what’s happening in and around Edinburgh. Let us know if you end up visiting any of the above and how your day went down!
The best bit? This community is shaped by you! So get out there, spend local and we'll see you around the city.
Nashy & Abs