IN common with a lot of Yes groups across the country, the Edinburgh Yes Hub has had a tough time financially since the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic.
Based in what was a solid No-voting area in 2014, the hub has hosted many meetings and seminars as well as organising larger-scale events at the Queen’s Hall featuring the likes of National columnist Lesley Riddoch.
Run principally by Mike Blackshaw, the hub not only has an archive and books that Yes supporters would love, it has also recently started selling Scottish products as a way of making money.
The fact is, however, that while the Hub remains busy on the political front, it is really struggling just to stay open in these pandemic times as Covid-19 has lost the Hub a large chunk of its needed income.
Blackshaw has asked The National to pass on his heartfelt message to the Yes movement in which he wonders if he has made a mistake.
He wrote: “In life we have to be honest to ourselves and in this respect the Edinburgh Yes Hub is my baby, one held together by 49 wonderful supporters who donate every month, the range being £1 to £30. This gives us half the income we require to be solvent. Since March 2020 we have not been allowed to hold events and debates, and this leaves us £500 short every month. We have tried bi-monthly raffles and the like but they just filled a hole. We needed a new direction and I hit on the idea of stocking Scottish produce from Scottish companies employing Scottish workers.
“So I dug deep and spent some grant money, emptied the pension pot and filled the place with Scottish jams, preserves, marmalades, mustards, relishes, pickles and chutneys.
“We also stock Scottish Bee Honey, Border biscuits, Ross’s Edinburgh Rock and boiled sweets, oatcakes, and loads more. We have very nice hampers and feel our prices are competitive.
“Last Saturday and Sunday, however, just two weeks before Christmas we never saw one customer in opening eight hours a day. I then had to ask ‘did I just make a dreadful decision?’. Yes, some might say after all the facts are there for all to see – am I wasting not only my money but that of our supporters? Let me tell you for three or four days I was in a deep depression, but have no fear I will come out of it as we are Yessers and we always do.
“Our Christmas raffle is due to be drawn on the December 18 with a massive hamper, champagne, malt whisky, books and cash prizes.
Send an email saying the number of pound tickets you wish and we will reply to you with numbers and how to pay.”
Can you support the hub by taking part in the raffle? Email yescafe.edinsouth@gmail.com.
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