Quay shortlisted for social enterprise award

Quay Community Improvements (Quay) has been shortlisted in the One to Watch category at this year’s Social Enterprise Scotland Awards less than two years since the social enterprise was set up by Port of Leith Housing Association.

Quay is focused on delivering social, economic and physical improvements across Leith and North Edinburgh, with future profits going back into the local community.

Having originally started out as a team of seven people covering stair and office cleaning, the team has grown to 18 and its offering now also includes power washing, handyman services, bulky items uplift and carpet cleaning among other services.



Clare Halliday, business and community initiatives manager at Quay Community Improvements, said: “We are really pleased to have been shortlisted for this award by Social Enterprise Scotland. Our team delivers Edinburgh-wide contracts, which sees them clean over 250 stairs and communal areas a week, as well as cleaning offices and commercial premises for a variety of organisations in Edinburgh.

“We are also proud to be a Scottish Living Wage employer, with a focus on fair, secure and regular working hours in addition to developing the community.

“We have really enjoyed bringing the Window Wanderland outdoor art gallery to Leith in March this year and teaming up with Changeworks and Zero Waste Leith to transform a property into a pop-up ‘Reuse Showhome’ to help community members see for themselves just how attractive, affordable and environmentally-friendly second hand items can be.

“It’s a great endorsement of our work to be dubbed “one to watch”, so all the team is thrilled.”



The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 6 November.


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