Hey, Nashy and Abs here! 👋
It's happening. Right now. The Thriving Card is live!
The Newsletter will revert back to normal next week. But today the New Business Shout Out is US! Keep Edinburgh Thriving!
130+ independent businesses across Edinburgh and the Lothians offering discounts and offers. One digital card. One membership. Yours from today.
As a newsletter subscriber, you can grab the ‘Founding Member’ price, £45 instead of £59. A discount that stays with you forever.
Plus your digital card carries Founding Member status so every business knows you were there from the start.
First 250 people to sign up only!
The discount is already applied. ⬇️
Further memberships open to the general public on Friday at 10am.
These memberships include:
Annual (at full price, £59)
Monthly (at £6/month)
Tourist 7-day pass (at £15)
Tourist 30-day pass (at £26)
We are also releasing student passes later this summer in time for the start of the new term.
What businesses are on the Thriving Card?
Head to our directory and check them all out.
What does a Thriving Card look like?
Once purchased, members will be able to add a very special HOT PINK digital card into their Apple or Google wallets. You can't miss it. Bold, bright and on brand.
We genuinely hope new members will use their cards all over the city. We want them to discover businesses they had never heard of and make the journey to support a local independent.
That is the whole point of this. 🩷
A note on our rebrand!
At the very last minute, we decided to refresh the brand before launch with new colours, new energy, a bolder identity.
We want the Thriving Card to make an impact and turn heads. Hopefully it brings even more attention to the brilliant businesses we are partnering with too.
This week’s local Business Highlight
The Chocolatarium - A micro chocolate factory just off the Royal Mile
I ran round and toured this quirky and brilliant place last week and I'm so glad I did. I only recently found out that the Chocolatarium is fully independent having met the owner, Jen, at a recent pop-up where she told me all about her chocolate journey. What a story that is!
A genuinely unique Edinburgh experience. Tour of Chocolate, Truffle Making, Chocolate and Whisky pairing or if wine is more your thing, Chocolate and Wine pairing is also available.
Brilliant for families, hen parties, corporate events, birthday parties and anyone who just loves chocolate (like us!). Open daily. Book in advance to secure your place.
Gift vouchers available too. Please go and support Jen with her superb independent business. 🍫
📣 WORTH SHOUTING ABOUT: Events and Workshops
The Edinburgh Animal Trail is popping up at Leamne Art Studio next Thursday. If you haven't discovered the Edinburgh Animal Trail yet, this is your chance.
A fantastic and completely unique independent Edinburgh business celebrating the animals of this city in the most creative way. A locally created, family-friendly experience which sits between a souvenir and a self-guided tour. It also has a multilingual element for inclusivity.
Go and visit Oana on Thursday to learn and discover more about the hidden animal gems on offer around the city.
Want to buy your own Animal Trail for your next day trip to the city? We are delighted to be partnering with Edinburgh Animal Trail and offer Thriving Card members a 10% discount on all online orders, plus free UK mainland delivery. 🩷
11th - 14th May, 11am - 5:30pm
📍 @leamne_artstudio, 15 East Market Street, Edinburgh
One of the most charming community events in Edinburgh this summer. Morningside Parish Church will be decorated with over 150 large coloured umbrellas and art installations for a fortnight of community fundraising events.
Live music, including a concert with West End star Keith Jack; a craft and cake event on 31st May; a family ceilidh on 14th June; and so much more.
The community are also invited to purchase a miniature umbrella for £10 to fix to the railings and create a stunning rainbow effect around the church.
All proceeds go towards the cost of the church roof restoration, which is expected to exceed £300k.
Free to visit. Get it in your diary. 🩷
Opening night this Friday 8th May from 6pm to 8:30pm at the Whitespace Gallery. All works of art were created during an artist residency in Finland and inspired by Finnish sauna culture and the surrounding forests. Stunning, immersive and genuinely special.
The exhibition also includes a short film documenting the slow, meditative process of preparing a traditional wood fired sauna.
Open daily from 10am to 6pm. Exhibition ends 14th May. Don't miss it. 🩷
That’s all from us this week! Many thanks for joining and supporting us on this crazy journey so far. We are delighted with the Thriving Card, we hope you love it too!
Remember only 250 memberships are available at the discounted price of £45. Don’t delay, grab one now!
Let's go. 🚀
Let's Keep Edinburgh Thriving. 🩷
Nashy & Abby,