Job losses as Edinburgh charity collapses

An Edinburgh-based charity has collapsed leading to the loss of almost 40 jobs.

The Edinburgh University Settlement has stopped all its operations after running up debts of more than £300,000.

The charity operated as a local community action centre with a number of social outreach programmes.

A sequestration order was granted at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, with PwC partner Bruce Cartwright appointed as trustee.

Established in 1905, the charity had several properties including the Community Learning Centre at Regent's Road, Stepping Stones at the Old Fire Station in Norton Road, and the Roxy Art House in Roxburgh Place.

Other properties owned by the charity include Bristo Place Church, Wilkie House in Cowgate and 5 Holyrood Road in Edinburgh.

Mr Cartwright, said: "Our first priority has been to carry out a thorough review of the charity's activities, during which we discovered that EUS was not only operating with a substantial cost base but it did not have the income to support its ongoing activities.

"Indeed it would appear that the charity's outgoings have exceeded its income by some £300,000 for the last few years."