Edinburgh Business Tips

(Edinburgh, Scotland, UK)

Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city, is one of the most important financial cities in Scotland. Full of prominent businesses, banks, insurance groups, law firms and software companies, Edinburgh has many large office blocks. The Exchange is the capital's new financial centre and some of the city's most important companies and conference centres are concentrated in this area.

There are also numerous large and thriving businesses situated on the outskirts, in Leith, Newhaven, Stockbridge, Calton Hill and Broughton, and these are all within easy reach from the city centre. The pace of business life in Edinburgh tends to be fairly relaxed, especially when compared to London. There are also numerous tourist attractions and these continue to thrive as the city expands. The hotel industry reflects the high number of tourists, with an annual influx during the summer Fringe celebrations.

Business Centres and Conference Centres

Edinburgh Convention Bureau
Address: 4 Rothesay Terrace, New Town, Edinburgh, EH3, Scotland
Tel: +44 (0)131 473 3666
The Convention Bureau is part of the business division of the Edinburgh and Lothians Tourist Board and offers advice on finding conference and meeting venues in the area.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00

Edinburgh International Conference Centre
Address: The Exchange, 150 Morrison Street, West Edinburgh, EH3, Scotland
Tel: +44 (0)131 300 3000
Located in the Exchange financial centre, the International Conference Centre can accommodate more than 1,200 delegates and also offers in-house catering and a range of business services.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 18:00

Office Business Centre and Conference Venue
Address: 16-26 Forth Street, Broughton, Edinburgh, EH1, Scotland
Tel: +44 (0)131 550 3700
The Office Business Centre and Conference Venue has over 60 office spaces, range from 85 to 800 square feet.
Open hours: Monday to Thursday - 08:30 to 17:30, Friday - 08:30 to 17:00

Regus Convention Centre
Address: Conference House, The Exchange, 152 Morrison Street, West Edinburgh, EH3, Scotland
Tel: +44 (0)131 200 6000
The Regus Convention Centre contains a number of business suites, both small and large, with office furnishings and secretarial support if required. Conference facilities can also be rented by the hour or day.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:30 to 18:00

Rutland Square House
Address: 12 Rutland Square, New Town, Edinburgh, EH2, Scotland
Tel: +44 (0)131 228 2281
Rutland Square House has 12 fully furnished offices, which are all hired out on a three-month minimum basis.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:30 to 17:30

Business Hours and General Etiquette

In both dress and manners, locals in Edinburgh are fairly formal and normal business courtesies should still be observed. The degree of formality necessary depends upon the actual nature of the business, with financial and legal professions being more formal than IT companies. Many men still wear suits and short sleeve shirts are acceptable during Edinburgh summers. Women may also wear suits, but tend to be more casual in appearance.

Business hours in the Edinburgh area are usually from Monday to Friday, between 09:00 and 18:00, although some offices may close slightly later. Many shops are open longer and often throughout the weekends, and some supermarkets in Edinburgh are open 24 hours-a-day. Banks in Scotland generally open from 09:00 to 16:30, although some are open until 17:30, and larger branches may also open on Saturday mornings.

Working lunches provide an informal way to do business in Edinburgh and locals are quick to use first-name terms. Drinks or dinner is a friendly way to end the hard working week in the Scottish capital and there are many pubs and wine bars in the city centre that are popular with local businessmen and women, particularly around the High Street, Grassmarket, Cowgate and George Street.

Greeting Someone

A brief and friendly handshake is usually the customary greeting in Edinburgh and generally throughout Scotland. New acquaintances are often addressed on first name terms, in a friendly manner.

Smoking

All restaurants in Edinburgh now enforce a strict 'no smoking' policy, although some do tend to cater for smokers in designated outside spaces. Scottish offices and businesses are also 'non-smoking' and although the British have neither a positive nor negative attitude to smoking, it is best to only light-up when in the company of smokers.