John Gibson: The ghost of Cary Grant in George Street

Published on Monday 30 November 2009 08:53

KEEPS a nice, tidy shop, does Peter Heggie. He had a lot to live up to when, as general manager two summers ago, he launched Brooks Brothers, the American-owned tailors in George Street.

Much was made of Brooks' association with fastidiously attired Hollywood screen idol Cary Grant. They clothed him. Indeed, daily you'll find one or other of his films on the shop's screen there.

"Cary oozed class and our ongoing intention is to provide George Street with a touch of that," said Heggie, who, along with Laing the Jeweller from round the corner in Frederick Street, was hosting a Christmas shopping night.

Cary Grant downstairs and, at street level, more vintage stuff with Crosby singing I'll Be Home for Christmas, plus Champers and canaps by Santini suitable for the occasion. The grilled aubergine with tomato risotto was a tad rich for me.

Gales and the downpour trimmed the turnout, otherwise we'd have seen one of Brooks' frequent customers, Steven Pressley. Said manager Heggie: "Steven's rather fond of our polo shirts. They don't need ironing, so footballers simply stuff them into their kit." Fifty-five quid a time. Peanuts to today's players.

Incidentally, Peter Heggie has joined the campaign board for the rebuild of St Columba's Hospice. A tailor-made diversion for him and his employers.

Keeping track

Kid you not. Looked like there were more hard-hatted, yellow jacketed bods toiling to get Princes Street trammed up by Sunday's deadline than there were fans at Easter Road on Saturday. Like ants, they were. Costing us an absolute packet.

How much has this panic-on-Princes-Street trams travail cost us these past two or three weeks? Own up, TIE. How much?

Hibby Easter!

How to get your name in the papers. Say that Jesus may have paid a visit to Britain with his uncle Joe. Trying to add credence to the theory is a Church of Scotland minister. Need I say more?

Just to niggle him, I'm keeping his name out of the column. Supposing the Lord did come back to the UK to do a walkabout in disguise at some point, did he see Hibs win the Cup?

By the way, I had the image of Enoch Powell on my slice of toast this morning.