Edinburgh news in brief: Plans to turn Leith shop into office

A LEITH Walk shop is to be turned into an office for a charity.

Plans have been submitted for the change of use from a retail unit to office by Homes Start Leith at 247 Leith Walk. Council planning officials have recommended that the proposals get the go-ahead.

They said there are a "high number" of units lying empty in the area.

John Bury, the city council's head of planning, said: "The conversion of a vacant unit can be supported at a time when shops are clearly not viable."

Vote bid for the homeless

HOMELESS charity Shelter Scotland has teamed up with the Electoral Commission to encourage people living in temporary accommodation to register to vote in the forthcoming Holyrood elections.

Shelter director Graeme Brown said: "We are sending out leaflets, posters and forms."

Band to play gig to fund college trip

LEITH Academy pupil William Jaquet is to perform at the Queen's Hall with his band Penny Black to help fund an educational trip to Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA.

He will appear with several other performers including friend Mark Heavenor, who is also hoping to travel to the college to study this summer.

The concert begins at 7.30pm on March 23 and tickets are available from 0131 668 2019.

Epilepsy charity chief in vow to move forward

THE chief of a charity supporting people with epilepsy in the Lothians has vowed to steer the organisation through "the most difficult economic climate for a generation".

Lesslie Young, chief executive of Epilepsy Scotland, said she was confident new ways of working could be found to strengthen the set-up.

She said: "I choose to see it as a time of opportunity. It is a time to focus the mind and the purse strings and a time to think effectively and create a new way forward."

Chance to see cycle stunts

A FUN event will take place in Kirknewton Park next Saturday.

Meals and Wheels will feature cycle stunt performances and advice on sustainable travel.

There will also be a village barbecue and a food market, with stalls selling local produce.

It will take place from noon to 4pm.