Thank you so much to everyone who nominated a business for the Edinburgh South Business Hero Award 2025.
There were some fantastic nominations and narrowing the field to just two final candidates was an exceptionally difficult task.
I’m delighted to share the details of the two finalists, Specsavers Morningside and Pilates with Nicky Pender.
Out of a very strong field, these two businesses were shortlisted because of the number of nominations they received and how closely they aligned with the award criteria: providing an indispensable resource or service, going above and beyond in looking after their customers, working with other groups and businesses in the community for local benefit, and providing a space for people to come together.
Please find below some more details about each business and a form through which you can cast your vote.
Voting will remain open until Friday 18th April.
Please note that only constituents of Edinburgh South can vote, so you will be asked to provide your address to confirm that you are a constituent.
Specsavers Morningside
Since 2009, Specsavers Morningside have been providing eye care and audiology services to Morningside and surrounding communities in Edinburgh South.
Outside of their core business, they have been involved in a number of charitable initiatives across the city, including providing free eye examinations and glasses to Big Issue vendors and members of the public experiencing homelessness, helping establish the Vision Care for Homeless People clinic at the Crisis Centre on the Royal Mile, donating high visibility vests to local schools to keep children safe on their walk to and from school, and helping secure specialist equipment for the Royal Infirmary’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, including a ventilator and a special camera for scanning the eyes of babies to help detect and prevent blindness.
Furthermore, they are a strong presence in the local community, with members of the branch team taking a leading role in the Morningside and Bruntsfield Traders Association and the I Love Morningside Facebook page, which keeps residents up to date with local news. Through the Morningside and Bruntsfield Traders Association, they have organised monthly business breakfasts to build a sense of community and facilitate collaboration between local businesses. In these capacities they have led on important issues locally, including recently organising community meetings and engaging with the police on shoplifting and retail crime. Finally, they engage with nearby schools and have lent their support to recent road safety campaigns alongside local parents.
Pilates with Nicky Pender
Nicky Pender is a pilates instructor based in the south east of Edinburgh, running affordable and accessible weekly classes out of Liberton Kirk Hall.
Nicky’s classes have been transformational for the mental and physical health of her clients, many of whom noted in their nominations the profound impact she has had upon their confidence and health. In addition, many emphasised that Nicky builds a real sense of fun into her classes, always making sure to lead the sessions with generosity, kindness and good humour. She goes above and beyond in looking after her clients and ensures that they are looked after inside and outside of her classes.
Beyond running her weekly sessions, Nicky has been involved in a number of charitable fundraising initiatives, raising money for different causes and charities, including the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home and Pregnancy Counselling and Care.
Moreover, she has built a real community among her clients, organising a weekly coffee social with those who attend her class in the nearby Kirkgate Cafe, supporting a fantastic local community cafe which is largely run by volunteers. Countless new friendships have come from her classes and, furthermore, some of her clients have gone on to get involved in other local initiatives based out of Liberton Kirk, having discovered these through her classes at the Kirk.