9am Briefing: City saunas 'safe approach to prostitution'

Published on Tuesday 25 November 2008 08:51

SAUNAS in the Capital have been described as a safe and "pragmatic approach" to prostitution.

The city was the first city in the UK to effectively decriminalise brothels when it gave saunas and massage parlours entertainment licences in 1982.

Ruth Morgan Thomas, project manager for sex worker support agency Scotpep, said the premises are a safe option which should be rolled out across Scotland.

It was reported today that 1000 sex workers are employed in Edinburgh's 20 licensed saunas.

Cowgate regeneration meets opposition

PLANS to redevelop the site of the Cowgate fire have met with objections from heritage groups, it was reported today.

Organisations including the Cockburn Association and Edinburgh World Heritage are said to be lined up to condemn the modern designs for the 40 million SoCo development, which would link South Bridge and Cowgate with an upmarket hotel. They feel the designs are not in keeping with the site's historic Old Town setting.

Tennant uses pianist's skull for Hamlet

DAVID Tennant has been using the skull of concert pianist Andre Tchaikowsky as a prop in his performances as Hamlet.

The Bathgate-born actor agreed to use the prop in 22 of his recent performances as the troubled Danish prince in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The move fulfils the last wish of the pianist, who left his skull to the Royal Shakespeare Company after his death from cancer in 1982 in the hope of becoming a posthumous stage star.

Tatran tax warning

ALEX Salmond's plans for a local income tax, dubbed the "tartan tax", could leave a huge budget hole, Tories have warned.

They say changes announced in Alistair Darling's pre-budget report will leave a 1.6billion "tartan tax bombshell" if the SNP pushes ahead with its proposed 3p tax.

Conservatives say the Chancellor's plans will deal several blows to the SNP's plan, including 500m to be taken from the Scottish block grant and 400m of council tax benefit which would no longer head for Scotland.