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Invest East Lothian

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Invest East Lothian

Promoting East Lothian as a thriving, sustainable and inclusive region, with a pro business approach.

We are East Lothian Council's Economic Development business promotion and support service. We work with the business community from start-ups to growth; deliver one to one support; training & events; networking and offer free impartial advice.

11/09/2026

🚀 Edinburgh Innovation Hub officially opens
The £40 million Edinburgh Innovation Hub was officially opened last week by UK Government Minister for Scotland Melanie Ward and Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn. A joint venture between East Lothian Council and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, the Hub is already home to three innovative start-ups – Forge Minerals, Aurora Avionics and RiverWood Ecology – with a new life sciences tenant employing around 40 people also set to move in. The Hub will support innovation-led business growth and create new high-value employment in East Lothian.

🍺 Belhaven beers make awards final
Two beers from Scotland’s oldest working brewery have been named finalists in the Scottish Beer Awards 2026. Belhaven Best, Scotland’s number one ale and a 2024 World Beer Awards bronze medallist, is joined on the shortlist by Belhaven Black Nitro Pour, the canned version of Scotland’s best-selling stout – another national nod for East Lothian’s brewing heritage.

🌈 Lighthouse Trail raises £252,000 for Leuchie
The colourful lighthouse sculptures that lit up North Berwick over the summer have raised an incredible £252,000 for Leuchie following their sale at auction. The funds will help provide vital respite breaks for people living with neurological conditions and the families who care for them – a fantastic finale for a trail that brought art, colour and visitors to the town throughout the summer.

10/09/2026

Today is Scottish Employability Day - an opportunity to celebrate the organisations and partnerships helping people across Scotland develop skills, access opportunities and move towards and into work.

Here in East Lothian, East Lothian Works provides employability support for people at different stages of their working lives, from young people taking their first steps into employment to adults looking for work, developing new skills or considering a change in direction.

The team also works with local employers, helping businesses recruit, develop their workforce and connect with employability programmes and opportunities.

It’s all part of building a skilled, inclusive workforce and helping more people across East Lothian realise their potential.

Find out more about East Lothian Works and the support available: https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/jobs-and-training/east-lothian-works

09/09/2026

The Volant Charitable Trust is offering grants to charities and organisations tackling poverty and deprivation, with a particular emphasis on women, children and young people.

Funding priorities include support for vulnerable families, food provision, mental health projects, services for women and support for disadvantaged or at-risk children and young people.

✔️£10,000–£25,000 per year
✔️Funding available for up to three years – a maximum grant of £75,000
✔️ Open to eligible organisations with annual income of £1 million or less
✔️Core and salary costs can be supported

The programme is designed for larger, multi-year projects; a separate Small Grants Programme is available for eligible requests of £5,000 or less.

Find out more about the Volant Charitable Trust funding and check your organisation’s eligibility through Foundation Scotland 👉 https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/apply-for-funding/funding-available/volant-charitable-trust-large-grants-programme

08/09/2026

📅 East Lothian Business Month returns this October and here’s one of the first dates for your diary...

Hosted by SDP Scotland, East Lothian Council and Scottish Borders Council, Meet the Buyer South 2026 is a free event where local businesses can meet public and private sector buyers face-to-face and discover potential contract and supply chain opportunities.

Whether you’re a sole trader, micro business, SME or third sector organisation, no business is too small to take part.

You can introduce your business and what you offer, find out about current and upcoming opportunities and learn how to get ‘tender ready’ with free support from SDP Scotland.

📅 Wednesday 7 October, 10am–1pm
📍 Corn Exchange, Haddington

👉 Find out more and register for Meet the Buyer South 2026: https://www.sdpscotland.co.uk/events-mtbs26/

07/09/2026

Scottish Enterprise is offering a series of free online Selling Your Business masterclasses to help business owners explore succession and exit options.

The first, on Thursday 17 September, focuses on employee ownership, with expert advice plus first-hand experiences from businesses that have chosen this route.

📅 Thursday 17 September, 10am–11.45am

It’s a useful session whether you’re actively considering selling or simply starting to think about the longer-term future of your business.

Find out more and register: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/selling-your-business-masterclass-4558583

04/09/2026

🎉 Friday Good News for East Lothian 🎉

This week we’re celebrating innovation, new green spaces for patient wellbeing and nourishing community spirit.

💡 Triple recognition at The Scottish Impact Awards
Three East Lothian organisations have been named finalists in The Scottish Impact Awards 2026, celebrating organisations creating positive social and environmental change across Scotland.

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is recognised through the Social Enterprise Challenge, which connects university students with social enterprises to tackle real-world business and financial challenges. Since launching in 2024/25, the programme has supported 37 social enterprise teams.

Leuchie, the national respite charity based near North Berwick, provides specialist respite care and support for people living with neurological conditions and their families, while Musselburgh-based Edge Group Scotland delivers specialist programmes helping young adults with learning disabilities, autism and additional support needs develop skills, confidence and independence.

🌿 Growing wellbeing at East Lothian Community Hospital
Two new therapeutic gardens have opened at East Lothian Community Hospital in Haddington, creating accessible outdoor spaces for palliative care, mental health and dementia patients.

Funded by The Blythe Family Trust and delivered through the NHS Lothian Charity Green Health programme, the gardens provide spaces for relaxation, connection and therapeutic activity while supporting greater biodiversity – a great example of how nature can contribute to healthier people and places.
East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership

❤️ Haddington pub hailed as a community hero
The Victoria Inn is one of just three Scottish pubs shortlisted for Community Support Hero at the Community Pub Hero Awards, which recognise pubs going the extra mile for their local communities. Over the last four years, owner Craig Douglas (pictured right) has provided food for Meadowpark Primary School’s Breakfast Club in Haddington, which has grown to welcome around 30 pupils. The publican was named Community Sport Hero for Scotland at last year's awards on the back of his support of women’s football and rugby in the town, and helping develop the careers of two young ice hockey players.

03/09/2026

Looking for affordable business premises in a central Musselburgh location?

1 Fishers Wynd is available to lease through East Lothian Council. Just off the busy North High Street, the property offers flexible ground-floor space suitable for office, retail and professional service uses.

📍 1 Fishers Wynd, Musselburgh
📐 Internal area: 411 sq ft (38.19 sq m)
💷 Offers around £7,000 per annum
🏪 Class 1A use
📊 Rateable value: £5,200
📅 Closing date 1pm, Friday 18 September

The accommodation includes a main office/retail space, two additional rooms/offices, WC and storage, providing flexibility for a range of small businesses.

With a rateable value below £12,000, the property may qualify for 100% rates relief under the Small Business Bonus Scheme, depending on individual circumstances. It is also available on East Lothian Council’s flexible “easy in/easy out” lease terms.

👉 View the full particulars and arrange a viewing to find out more: https://ow.ly/uR2150ZIf0y

02/09/2026

Want to keep up to date with the latest business news, funding opportunities, events, training and support available across East Lothian?

Sign up to the Invest East Lothian newsletter and get the latest updates delivered straight to your inbox.

Subscribers will also be among the first to hear about the programme for East Lothian Business Month this October, including events, workshops, networking opportunities and business support activities taking place across the county.

Don't miss out – sign up today 👉 https://investeastlothian.com/

01/09/2026

Childminders in East Lothian are in high demand. Could it be your next calling? If you'd like to find out what a career as a childminder could look like for you, the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) is hosting three free online information sessions later this month.

As well as finding out what help there is to get started, including one-to-one support from a dedicated SCMA Workforce Officer, free online training and a minimum £750 business start-up grant, you'll be able to put questions to the SCMA team and hear from other childminders.

📅 22nd September, 10am - 11am | 23rd September, 7pm - 8pm | 26th September, 10am - 11am

Why become a childminder?
❤️Contribute to children's learning and wellbeing
❤️Earn while caring for your own family
❤️Be your own boss
❤️Provide a vital service for families in your community

📅Book here: https://getstarted.childminding.org/events/

Business Gateway East Lothian
East Lothian Works

31/08/2026

Power up your start-up at one of Business Gateway's free workshops. The September programme includes a special in-person session at accountants Johnston Carmichael in Edinburgh this Friday covering all things finance.

Find out more and sign up at https://www.bgateway.com/events

Address

John Muir House
Haddington
EH413HA

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 4pm

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https://www.investeastlothian.com/

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