Thriving Thursday

Hey! Nashy & Abs here 👋

Firstly, a shout-out of support to the businesses suffering just now in Leith and The Shore due to the fire on Princes Street and the transport disruption, mainly to the trams. Please get in touch if you are in Leith and a video would help. Please get down to Leith if you can; they need your support and are still very much open!

Here we go. Fringe by the Sea this weekend. Edinburgh Festival next week. The greatest festival city on earth, with something to offer everyone, you are guaranteed to have a good time, get involved guys! 🎭🩷

I will be out and about at both. Filming and creating, wandering the streets, visiting brilliant independents and sharing everything across our socials in real time.

Follow along and please do say hi if you see me wandering.

August is the month that Edinburgh reminds the world why it is so special. I look forward to sharing as much of it as possible!

Let's get into it! 👇

This week's newsletter includes:

🔥 Our new series: What u sayin?
🏪 Local business highlights
📣 Worth shouting about & 📅 Dates for your diary
💳 A taste of what's on the Thriving Card this week!

If you haven't grabbed your Thriving Card yet, the founding-member price is still available to newsletter subscribers only.

£45 instead of £59. Forever.

Let's get into it! 👇

What u sayin? This is my new short-form street interview series and I’m looking for guests. Locals, tourists and well-kent faces giving unpopular opinions and conversation starter statements.

No filter. Just engaging conversations from the streets of Edinburgh

Episodes dropping regularly. Got something to share? I’d love to hear from you if you’d like to be featured. 🩷

A brilliant local digital guide to Edinburgh covering the best pubs, restaurants, cafes, walks and hidden gems that locals actually love. The real Edinburgh. Perfect to send to anyone visiting the city this summer. £16 and £1 from every sale goes to Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home. 🩷

Meet Asta. Edinburgh-based artist, writer and the brilliant mind behind one of the city's most unique independent boutiques. Pascal & Co is a small boutique in the heart of Leith, housing an eclectic mix of handpicked vintage clothing, curated homewares, antiques and objets d'art. 🩷

Founded in 2019 and inspired by a deep passion for sustainability, old craftsmanship and continental style. Every single piece has been individually selected, lovingly repaired and given a new chapter in its vintage life. Natural fibres, quality with character and a Wes Anderson aesthetic that makes you want to move in.

And the name? That belongs to Pascal. The eccentric rescued pooch and official CEO of the company who spends most of his time luxuriating on an antique chaise longue. 🩷

Open Wednesday to Saturday, 12:30pm - 5:30pm. Worth every bit of your support.

📍 20 Albert Place, Edinburgh, EH7 5HN

Please help Abby and I evolve the Newsletter into what you guys want more of. We love pulling it together each week and would love your input. Just hit reply to this e-mail and let us know.

Thank you.

I popped into Rachel's brilliant studio and gallery on the High Street in North Berwick last week and came away with one of her classic Fringe by the Sea t-shirts.

Absolutely love it. 🩷 Get in fast before they sell out!

Bonzo Art is a North Berwick-based artist creating original paintings, prints, cards, commissions, ceramic mugs, notebooks, tea towels and gifts. All inspired by the beautiful East Lothian coastline and beyond. The independent creative that makes this part of the world so special. Brilliant for gifts, souvenirs or just treating yourself to something genuinely beautiful.

Also worth knowing. Rachel has an art vending machine. Yes. An art vending machine!

Only in North Berwick. 🩷

📍 60 High Street, North Berwick, EH39

🎵 Edinburgh Folk & Food Festival - 24th July to 2nd August

Folk music, fantastic food and the best of Edinburgh's independent scene all in one place. The Edinburgh Folk & Food Festival runs over two weeks in the heart of the city, with live music, food events and community fun throughout. Mercury Prize-nominated Seth Lakeman will delight music fans, whilst star of MasterChef, Sarah Rankin, whips up a feast that kids and adults alike can enjoy.

EFFF 2026 includes 28 stalls of delicious locally made food and drinks. Returning culinary favourites include Jarvis Pickle’s handcrafted pies, The Peruvian’s bold flavours and authentic Peruvian cooking and Sri Lankan Street Food from Ceylon Cartel. Newly
added for 2026, decadent desserts from Ms Creme de La Cream, incredible Filipino
BBQ by Manila Grill and viral Korean Corndogs by Pinkos Korean Street Food.
Also new this season are Steak frites at Cargo Grill, or Big Hot Sandwiches from
SPF (Salads Pastries Focaccia). Not forgetting Chulo’s Stuffed Cookies (a Thriving Card partner, T&C’s apply).

Check the website for the full programme and get yourself along. 🩷

📍 Assembly George Square Gardens, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ

🎨 Coburg House Open Studios - Leith

One of the highlights in the Leith calendar is almost here and this one is not to be missed. Coburg House Studios, one of Edinburgh's most beloved creative hubs, throws open its doors for its brilliant bi-annual Open Studios event. 🩷

One building. Four floors. 50-plus artists, makers and designers all opening up their working studios for you to explore. Art, jewellery, textiles and so much more; all created within the incredible studios. Meet the people behind the work, see behind the scenes and buy something genuinely special directly from the artist who made it.

Opening Night: Thursday 31st July, 6pm to 9pm.
Saturday 1st August, 10am to 4pm.
Sunday 2nd August, 10am to 4pm.
Free entry.

📍 Coburg House, 8 Coburg Street, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6HH

🛋️ Edinburgh Furniture Initiative - Gorgie Road

Edinburgh Furniture Initiative are one of the largest reuse social enterprises in Scotland, enabling the people of Edinburgh to recycle their furniture and homeware, but, importantly, all their proceeds go to fund services for people facing homelessness in Edinburgh through various accommodation (women's refuge, young people, independent living flats), advice for people who are on the brink of losing their home and also a programme to help young people into good careers.

Two brilliant bits of news from Edinburgh Furniture Initiative by Four Square this week. The Gorgie Road roadworks are finally gone AND a new long-term lease has been signed, meaning they are staying exactly where they belong. 🩷

To celebrate they are giving 10% off everything all weekend. Sofas to curtains, beds to bric-a-brac. Get down there and show some support for a brilliant social enterprise.

Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd August. 9am to 4:45pm. 10% off everything.

📍 454 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh

🕯️ Gingerlilies x Shimena - Pop Up at 27 Albert Place, 31st July to 2nd August

Two brilliant independent businesses sharing a pop-up space in Edinburgh this weekend and both absolutely worth a visit. 🩷

Charlotte from Gingerlilies creates luxury non-toxic candles hand-poured in the Scottish Borders using sustainable olive wax, pure essential oils, FSC-certified wooden wicks and fully recyclable packaging. No synthetic fragrances, no nasty chemicals, just clean, beautiful candles made with real care for your home and your wellbeing.

Joining her is Maura from Shimena with her buttery soft, uniquely printed leggings. Two brilliant independents. One brilliant pop-up. Get yourself along.

Thriving Card offer:

Gingerlillies - 20% off in store at the Pop Up Shop. 10% off online at gingerlilies.co.uk with discount code.

Shimena - 10% off in store at the Pop-Up. Free delivery plus 5% off online using discount code.

Friday 31st July to Sunday 2nd August.

📍 27 Albert Place, Edinburgh, EH7 5HN

🎻 Jordan Sapphire - Calton Hill, Edinburgh

If you haven't caught one of Jordan's performances yet, put it on your list right now. Classically trained violinist Jordan Sapphire has been captivating thousands of locals and tourists alike with his stunning sunset performances on Calton Hill. 🩷

Stunning music. Stunning backdrop. Goosebump moments. The performances are free but please consider a donation to Jordan.

Jordan performs most Mondays and Thursdays. Check his socials for upcoming Calton Hill dates and times.

📍 Calton Hill, Edinburgh

🎭 David William Bryan - In Loyal Company, Pleasance Courtyard

One of the most critically acclaimed shows at this year's Fringe and this is your final chance to ever see it. The incredible true story of missing WWII soldier Arthur Robinson. Written and performed by his great-nephew David William Bryan. A one-man tour de force war epic with 50-plus professional five-star reviews and ranked third in the best reviewed show of the entire Fringe. Multi-year sellout runs and this is the last one. 🩷

This show will sell out. Book now.

5th to 31st August. 12pm daily. From £17.50. Age 8 plus.

📍 Pleasance Courtyard, 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh, EH8 9TJ

🎶 Escape2Porty - Portobello Town Hall, Monday 18th August

Escape the busy city during the Festival and head to Portobello for a brilliant evening of live local music. From 5pm to 11pm, a curated lineup of Edinburgh's best emerging artists performing across a variety of styles from acoustic to full band. 🩷

Venus as Boy, Big Sister Shaz, Mark McColl, Queen Vee, Jack Brodie and the Lost Boys of Niddry St and The World Before all on the bill.

Accessibility and low-income ticket options available; get in touch at [email protected].

Early-bird tickets are limited - get in quick.

18+. Valid photo ID required.

📍 Portobello Town Hall, 147-149 Portobello High Street, Edinburgh, EH15 1AF

🏃 Portobello Running Club Beach Race - Sunday 30th August

A fun, friendly four-mile race along one of Scotland's most iconic beaches. A brilliant community event with a Kids Fun Run at 10:30am too. All proceeds go to Towerbank Primary School in Portobello to support equal access for all children to extra-curricular activities and other local good causes chosen by club members. Entry £10. Great way to end the summer. 🩷

Sunday 30th August. 10am start. Kids Fun Run 10:30am.

📍 Powerleague Portobello, Edinburgh

The Thriving Card is doing exactly what it was built to do. Locals are saving money, tourists are finding the real Edinburgh and brilliant independents are getting the support they deserve. Here's a taste of what's on the card this week:

🏠 Simpson & Marwick - Edinburgh - One of Edinburgh's most trusted independent estate agents and solicitors. Buying or selling, Simpson & Marwick bring decades of Edinburgh property expertise with a genuinely personal service. And when the big moment comes, this one really pays for itself.
Thriving Card offer: £150 off your conveyancing fee.

🦁 The Lioness of Leith - Duke Street, Leith - One of Leith's most beloved independent bars and home of Burger Mama! Gourmet burgers, craft beer and late-night drinks on Duke Street. The kind of neighbourhood bar that makes Leith the neighbourhood everyone loves. 🩷

Thriving Card offer: Free side with every burger, Monday to Wednesday. Must book in advance.

💻 Coven Studios - Ferry Road, Leith - Curated coworking community for creatives, innovators and entrepreneurs in the heart of Leith. 24/7 access, 1GB wifi, private studios, open-plan desks, a garden, Zoom room, green room, workshop and lounge. Built for people who take their work seriously and want to be surrounded by others who do too.
Thriving Card offer: 15% off your first month's membership. Subject to availability.

🩷 Loads more offers across food, drink, health, wellness, shopping, experiences and outdoor activities. A wee something for everyone.

That's your Thriving Thursday! 🩷

If you haven't grabbed your Thriving Card yet, the founding member price is still available at £45 through the link below:

BECOME A FOUNDING MEMBER - £45

We genuinely love putting this together for you every week. The fact that you read it, share it and support it means the world to both of us.

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.

We really want to hear about new independent businesses that are opening in Edinburgh and the Lothians! Know a business deserving a shout-out? Reply to this email and tell us their story.

Let's Keep Edinburgh Thriving. 🚀

BIG love,

Nashy & Abs

Keep Edinburgh Thriving 🩷