Social enterprises in Leith: It's business Jim, but not as we know it.

Even with all the rumours circulating at the moment about when and if the Tram will ever make it to Ocean Terminal, the conventional wisdom suggests that the tram line will bring a huge uplift in land values, and this in turn will provide a spur towards more regeneration in the area. We've seen numerous big hotel plans, and proposals to spend big money on improving Ocean Terminal and the docks area. Meanwhile, many of the independent traders in the area continue to struggle and we're led to believe that the vacant shop owners along the tram route are content to sit pretty - just waiting for that call from Habitat, or Starbucks, or Greggs, or some other chain store.

It's therefore interesting to see two new Social Enterprises have set-up in Leith, both aiming to help support the local economy in different ways.

Punjab'n De Rassoi, serves a tasty, and healthy version of tradtional indian food. But it's not just another cafe. Set-up by local charity Sikh Sanjog with an enterprise grant from the Scottish Government, the cafe also provides catering training for Sikh women. By the end of the year they aim to have trained up more than 60 women, boosting their self-confidence and financial independence in the process.

Of course, it also helps to raise the profile of the Sikh community locally. And we were really impressed by the commitment from manager, Trishna Singh to try and keep money and jobs in the local community by using local suppliers whereever they can. Compare this business model with the prospect of another boring chain store, and we think you'll agree that Punjab'n De Rassoi offers something far more interesting, and far more valuable to Leith than another branch of Tescos metro.

Even though they've not even had their official launch yet, we're delighted that they've signed up to join our We Love Leith Bonus Bag scheme. If you've got a bonus bag, and you spend more than £10 in the cafe, you'll get a free portion of pakora!

Meanwhile, on Newhaven Road, Lynn at Greetings From Leith, has also launched a social enterprise with a focus on crafting. She's got an incredible selection of hand crafted cards (many with a Leith theme too!), but she also runs workshops on all sorts of things, from using a sewing machine to felting. In the shop, she sells crafty stuff made by a whole load of local residents - many of whom would have no other way to sell the unique things that they make. And best of all from our point of view - Lynn emphasises that a lot of the gifts on sale are made from recycled materials and all the packaging they use is biodegradable too.

Greetings for Leith have also joined our We Love Leith Bonus Bag scheme, offering customers with a bag a free card with every purchase over £5. 

Did you know you can now buy a We Love Leith Bonus Bag on-line from our on-line shop?