Voted Scotland’s best curry restaurant of 2025, The Radhuni in Loanhead is celebrating again after retaining its prestigious AA Rosette for the fifth year in a row.
It is one of only a handful of Indian-style restaurants in Scotland to have been awarded at least one Rosette for culinary excellence.
In October The Radhuni was named Scotland’s top curry house in Awards organised by national trade magazine Curry Life. Matin Khan, founder and Executive Chef of The Radhuni and its sister restaurant Itihaas in Dalkeith, was voted Scotland’s Best Curry Chef. Judges said he was one of the nine leading curry chefs in Britain.
Trophies were presented at a gala dinner attended by 500 guests at the Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s Mayfair.
His son Habibur, Managing Director of both restaurants (pictured with the new plate), commented: “Winning an AA Rosette is hard enough but keeping it year after year is even tougher. We have to demonstrate that we continually uphold the highest standards of food and service, which are also mirrored at Itihaas. Retaining this distinction is a tribute to the professionalism, dedication and hard work of our staff throughout the year.”
Rosette Awards are determined by an AA inspector during one or more visits to a hotel or restaurant during which the entire meal is assessed. The Radhuni was said to “achieve standards that stand out in their local area, serving food prepared with care, understanding and skill, using good quality ingredients.”
Gilson Gray, a full-service UK law firm, has announced the appointment of Steven Eckett as Head of Employment for England, an important step in the firm’s continued expansion across the UK.
Steven’s appointment signals the launch of Gilson Gray’s dedicated employment law offering in England. While the firm currently has an employment team based in Scotland, Steven will lead the development of a new London-based team. His remit includes growing the client base, fostering cross-border collaboration between English and Scottish offices, and building a strong national presence.
With over 30 years of experience in employment law, Steven brings a depth of expertise to the role. He has held senior positions in both private practice and in-house legal teams, including Summit Law LLP and Meaby&Co, where his work spanned complex employment matters across the commercial, industrial, and private sectors.
With international experience across Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and the US, Steven is well-positioned to advise businesses on intricate employment challenges and global compliance strategies.
Gilson Gray is currently undergoing a significant phase of expansion, marked by a wave of senior appointments alongside Steven, including Jeremy Davy, who recently joined as Partner and Head of Residential Conveyancing for England and Wales, and Linda Pope, who has been appointed as Partner in the firm’s London-based family law team. The firm is approaching 500 employees, offering a full suite of legal services in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, East Lothian, Aberdeen, Lincoln, and Angus.
Steven commented:
“Joining Gilson Gray is a fantastic opportunity to help shape the firm’s employment law offering in England. It’s an exciting time for growth, and I’m looking forward to working with colleagues across the UK to build something impactful and client-focused.”
Glen Gilson, chair and managing partner of Gilson Gray, added:
“Steven’s appointment is a key milestone in our UK-wide strategy. His depth of experience and commercial insights will be invaluable as we expand our employment law services and continue to grow our national footprint. Gilson Gray is proud to be a firm that attracts top-tier talent and delivers exceptional service across all disciplines.”
Gilson Gray, the full-service UK law firm, has appointed Linda Pope as partner in its London family law team, marking a significant step in the firm’s expansion in the capital and continued commitment to growth across the UK.
In her new role, Linda will lead the development of Gilson Gray’s London family law offering, helping to attract new clients and enhance the firm’s profile in the city. She is also focused on achieving top-tier recognition for the department, including Legal 500 rankings – with the accolade of ‘recommended lawyer’ that she has personally received for the past three consecutive years.
Linda brings over two decades of experience in family law, having held senior positions at respected firms including Miles and Partners, Lock at Marlborough, and Edwards Duthie Shamash Solicitors. Her expertise includes complex financial remedy cases, disputes involving inherited wealth and family businesses, divorce settlements, and complex children disputes usually involving serious allegations of domestic abuse, making her a valuable addition to the growing family law team.
Linda’s appointment is one of several new senior hires by Gilson Gray, in London and the rest of the UK, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to growth and its ambition to enhance its standing as one of the UK’s most prominent legal practices. The firm now has over 450 employees, offering a full suite of legal services in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, East Lothian, Aberdeen, Lincoln, and Angus.
Glen Gilson, chair and managing partner of Gilson Gray, commented: “Linda’s appointment reflects our ambition to build a market-leading family law team in London. Her depth of experience and strategic insight will be instrumental as we continue to grow our presence and reputation. Linda joins our highly regarded family law operation which, building upon the successful leadership of the excellent Philippa Cunniff in Scotland, now looks to a UK wide footing.”
Linda added: “Gilson Gray is exactly the kind of law firm I’ve always wanted to be part of – multi-service, ambitious, and full of energy. I’m excited to work with like-minded colleagues and help build a team that can become a standout force in London’s legal landscape.”
Edinburgh-based web design company Power On Media has marked its first birthday in style — with a successful presence at two major business expos and strong recognition from across the local business community. One fellow exhibitor even admitted to having “stand envy” after seeing the Power On stand, a moment that summed up a year of creativity, progress and reflection.
For founder Martin Kay, this milestone represents far more than business growth — it marks a personal triumph after two years of hardship.
Following the loss of his father and godmother, two job losses, a redundancy, and a late ADHD diagnosis, Martin found himself a single parent trying to rebuild. Starting a business wasn’t part of the plan. “It was more a leap of faith when everything else was uncertain,” he says. “I had no roadmap, just a belief that things had to change.”
That belief turned into Power On Media, a creative web design company built around Martin’s passion for helping small businesses grow online. Combining his sales background — from YTS trainee to Account Executive at a leading global cybersecurity firm — with a lifelong creative spark, Martin channelled his energy into building something meaningful from the ground up.
A key turning point came through Business Gateway, when adviser Lee Briggs introduced Martin to a grant scheme that could help fund early growth. The paperwork initially felt overwhelming due to ADHD-related challenges, but Lee stepped in and offered to complete the forms together. Two weeks later, the funding was approved — enabling Martin to invest in a Midlothian & East Lothian Chamber of Commerce membership and a professional exhibition stand. Those decisions proved invaluable, opening new doors and raising the company’s profile.
Fast forward 12 months and both Martin and Power On Media have undergone a remarkable transformation. The business is now flourishing, attracting larger clients while continuing to serve start-ups and small enterprises — the very audience Martin cares deeply about. Word-of-mouth referrals have become a major source of growth, driven by his hands-on approach and personal commitment to every project.
Relocating to a new office has also helped fuel creativity and focus, something Martin credits to his ADHD “superpower.” “Hyperfocus can be intense,” he says, “but in design, it’s a gift. My ADHD gives me an authenticity and energy that clients respond to. I see it as my edge, not my obstacle.”
Reflecting on the past year, Martin is both humble and proud. “I’ve powered through some very dark days. A year ago, I didn’t know if I’d manage to turn things around — but here we are. Power On Media has grown beyond what I imagined, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who believed in me.”
Martin also pays special thanks to Business Gateway for their continued guidance. “Without their support, I might not have had the confidence to push forward,” he adds. “They helped me take that first real step, and I’ll always be thankful for it.”
As Power On Media moves into its second year, the message is clear — resilience, creativity and self-belief can turn even the hardest challenges into something powerful.
For more info on Power On Media visit
Scotland’s best curry chef and restaurant are on the outskirts of Edinburgh, judges at the British industry’s awards have announced.
Matin Khan, Executive Chef of Itihaas in Dalkeith, was named Chef of the Year and the 150 seat Radhuni in nearby Loanhead, run by his son Habibur, Restaurant of the Year in the Curry Life Awards.
They were presented last night (12 October) at a gala dinner attended by 500 industry leaders, restaurateurs, politicians and the media at the Marriott Grosvenor Square in London’s Mayfair. They are organised by national trade magazine Curry Life.
Judges said the Award “cements The Radhuni’s status as one of the top 20 curry houses in Britain and the best in Scotland, and celebrates the leadership of Habibur khan who has guided the family business and inherited his father’s passion.”
The Awards, hosted by ITV broadcaster Nina Hossain and which regularly attract UK Cabinet Ministers, are given on a regional basis.
They are billed as “highlighting outstanding performance, innovation and culinary excellence” in the sector.
There are an estimated 10,000 curry restaurants in Britain.
Judges said Matin Khan’s title made him one of the top nine curry chefs in Britain and celebrated “his almost four decades in hospitality, dedication to Bangladeshi cuisine and his contribution to the local community.”
They added that he followed “a culinary philosophy centred on balancing regional authenticity with customers’ beloved favourite dishes, all the while stressing value for money.”
Matin is the founder and Executive Chef of both restaurants.
The commendation said he had raised several hundred thousands of pounds for local good causes.
The Radhuni’s success was “the direct result of its family-rooted philosophy of treating every guest with honour, time and respect, commitment to cooking innovative regional dishes in small batches, and dedication to surrounding communities,” judges added.
Habibur commented: “We treat every guest as we would treat an elder in our own family and make them feel they’re in their second home.”
Among VIPs who have attended previous Curry Life Awards are Prime Ministers Sirs Keir Starmer and Tony Blair, London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan and former Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel.
Lord Karan Bilimoria, former President of the Confederation of British Industry who presented the Awards, described the industry as “a cornerstone of Britain’s culinary landscape.”
We would like to invite you to take part in Police Scotland’s evaluation project about missing people in Scotland. The evaluation aims to assess the level, quality and consistency of engagement between Police Scotland, partner agencies and missing people and their friends/families across Scotland, to help them improve the service provided.
Police Scotland have asked Progressive, its independent provider, to carry out the evaluation on its behalf. Progressive are carrying out one-to-one interviews throughout October 2025, each of which will last around 45 minutes – all sessions will be held online (via MS Teams), and you can take part at a time convenient to you. No one at Police Scotland will know that you personally have taken part and your contribution to the evaluation will remain anonymous – meaning you will not be named in any reporting. Progressive adhere to strict market research standards and ethics, so you can be assured of complete anonymity.
We’re keen to hear your genuine reflections and feedback about this important area for Police Scotland.
Please respond to stefan.durkacz@progressivepartnership.co.uk with your interest.
Late payment of commercial debts remains a persistent issue in the UK, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. Despite longstanding legal protections, many businesses continue to suffer from delayed payments that disrupt cash flow and threaten financial stability.
The Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998
The Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 was introduced to address this problem by providing statutory remedies for creditors, and recent government proposals aim to strengthen these protections even further.
The 1998 Act applies to contracts for the supply of goods or services where both parties are acting in the course of business. Crucially, the debtor does not need to be a company – it is sufficient that the contract was made in the course of trade or business. Under the Act, creditors are entitled to claim interest on overdue payments at a rate of eight percent above the Bank of England base rate. In addition to interest, the legislation provides for fixed compensation depending on the size of the debt. Creditors may also recover reasonable costs incurred in pursuing the debt, beyond the fixed compensation.
Interest begins to accrue the day after the payment due date if one is specified in the contract. If no date is specified, interest typically starts 30 days after the latest of delivery, invoice, or acceptance of goods or services, provided the contract was entered into after 14 May 2013. While parties may agree to a different rate of interest or remedy for late payment, the courts will assess whether the contractual remedy is substantial. If it is not, statutory interest under the Act may still apply.
Future reform
In July 2025, the UK Government launched a consultation aimed at reforming late payment practices. The consultation, which runs until 23 October 2025, seeks to address the economic damage caused by delayed payments, which reportedly cost the UK economy £11 billion annually and result in the closure of 38 businesses each day. The proposed reforms include mandatory statutory interest for late payments, a cap on payment terms at 60 days, and the introduction of deadlines for disputing invoices to prevent delay tactics. The government also proposes increased board-level accountability for payment practices in large companies, financial penalties for repeat offenders, and expanded powers for the Small Business Commissioner.
For legal practitioners, the 1998 Act remains a vital tool in commercial debt recovery. When preparing court actions, it is essential to confirm whether a contractual interest rate applies and to include statutory interest and compensation where appropriate. Ensuring that the contract falls within the scope of the Act is equally important. As the consultation progresses, legal professionals and businesses alike should remain informed about potential legislative changes. The proposed reforms could significantly alter how interest and compensation are calculated and enforced, making it more important than ever to understand the current framework and anticipate future developments.
How we can help
Our Commercial Litigation team has extensive experience advising on late payment and debt recovery issues. We can help you assess your options under the current legislation and prepare for the changes that may follow the government consultation.
For tailored advice, please contact Gillian Murray at Gillian.Murray@andersonstrathern.co.uk or get in touch with us here. You can also view the consultation process on the government website here.
Full-service UK law firm Gilson Gray has appointed seasoned property lawyer Jeremy Davy as partner and head of its residential conveyancing division for England and Wales, helping to secure the firm’s position as the UK’s leading conveyancing practice.
Based in Lincoln, Jeremy will oversee Gilson Gray’s residential conveyancing division across England and Wales. He will focus on expanding the team’s operations, enhancing efficiency through technology and AI, and growing its headcount in key locations.
Jeremy brings a wealth of experience to the role and joins from Broadfield Law, where he was chief operating officer and partner, overseeing legal operations and driving business growth. Prior to that, Jeremy was director of conveyancing at Connells Group, where he first worked with Debbie McCathie, head of residential conveyancing at Gilson Gray, to develop strategic partnerships.
Jeremy began his legal career at Shoosmiths, where he progressed to partner and played a key role in establishing and growing the firm’s conveyancing arm. He also served as an advisor to HM Government, RICS, The Law Society and Land Registry in relation to residential property matters and home buying reform.
The appointment marks a key step in Gilson Gray’s continued expansion across England and follows a series of senior hires, including Monika Haidar as partner and head of residential conveyancing for London, and Rajan Shori as partner and head of real estate for England.
Debbie McCathie, head of residential conveyancing at Gilson Gray, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Jeremy to the team. His appointment marks another important step in our ambition to become the leading provider of residential conveyancing services across the UK. Jeremy’s strategic insight and commitment to innovation will be invaluable as we continue to grow our operations. At Gilson Gray, we’re proud to offer clients a seamless experience across every aspect of property, legal, and financial services.”
Now with over 450 employees offering a full suite of legal services across offices in Lincoln, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, East Lothian, Aberdeen, and Angus, Gilson Gray is one of the fastest-growing law firms in the UK.
Jeremy added: “Gilson Gray has been on my radar for some time, and I’ve long admired its ambition and rapid expansion. I’m excited to join at such a dynamic stage for the firm and to help further develop its market-leading conveyancing operation, driving innovation and supporting continued growth across England and Wales.”
The latest Scottish Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Indicator shows pressure mounting on Scottish firms, with rising costs, declining investment and faltering confidence undermining growth.
The survey of 440 Scottish businesses, produced in partnership with the Fraser of Allander Institute, found labour costs and concern over tax continues to impact more than seven in ten firms.
Key findings include:
• Business Confidence Declining: four out of the five main sectors report declines with services reporting a small increase. The sharpest drop-offs were in construction and manufacturing.
• Taxation Concerns Increasing: 72% of all firms reported increased concern from taxation; a rise of two percentage points compared to the last quarter, and up 16 percentage points compared to Q3 2024.
• Cashflow & Profits Squeezed: Cashflow and profits continue to be a significant challenge, with falling trends recorded for both. The construction and retail sectors saw the most significant drop-offs.
• Investment Intentions Frozen: Investment has also taken a significant hit, as four out of the five main sectors reported decline with only the services sector showing a positive net balance across all investment trends.
• Record-High Costs for Hiring: Labour remains a significant cost for over three quarters of firms at 77%. The construction and services sector had near recent historical high levels, while retail firms reported a five-year high of 75%, matching last quarter.
Doug Smith, Vice President of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, and Chair of the SCC Economic Advisory Group, said:
“Business activity remains weak for most sectors with little signs of recovery expected before year-end. The challenges are familiar: subdued demand, cautious consumer spending, and restrained investment across the economy.
“However, export performance gives reason for modest optimism. The QEI highlighted a slight growth in exports, despite geopolitical challenges, demonstrating the underlying strength of the Scottish market and the clear demand which exists for our goods and services. Boosting this trade must be a priority.
“Considerable progress has been made in recent months on tariffs and international trade deals with our closest partners. Now, the government needs to maintain its focus on international trade by simplifying the export finance system and accelerating the rollout of UK Export Finance’s small business insurance service, to back Scottish exporters and open our economy to the world.
“This progress is fragile. Rising costs, including increased employer National Insurance contributions and the higher National Living Wage, are putting further pressure on margins. On top of this, ongoing global economic uncertainty is complicating decision-making even further.
“Adding to these concerns is growing unease about next month’s UK Budget. Many firms fear they may once again be asked to bear the cost of restoring public finances. With the business tax burden at its highest level in 25 years, the Chancellor must urgently reaffirm last year’s promise of no further tax increases, to restore confidence and enable businesses to drive shared economic growth.”
Dr Liz Cameron CBE, Chief Executive of SCC, said:
“The latest QEI confirms what I’ve seen first-hand over recent months: businesses across Scotland are under pressure. From green innovators in Fife to economic mainstays in the West Highlands, firms continue to express real, deep concern over the UK Government’s tax direction and fiscal strategy, increasingly disruptive cyber-attacks, and record-high hiring costs.
“With upcoming budget announcements in November and January, both the UK and Scottish Governments have a golden opportunity to begin restoring business confidence by delivering credible, pro-growth measures. That means everything should be on the table: whether that’s rethinking the Employment Rights Bill, delivering a multi-year freeze to spirits duty to support our world-beating Scotch Whisky industry, or cutting VAT for hospitality, leisure and tourism to boost spending and protect jobs.”
Professor Mairi Spowage, Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, added:
“The economy remains sluggish with jitters about tax rises in the upcoming UK budget hitting confidence and momentum lost amid stop start growth. Pressure continues on employment levels as businesses continue to adjust to the NIC rises.
“Productivity figures are likely to be downgraded by the OBR making it more difficult for the Chancellor to hit their fiscal rules with tax rises the inevitable outcome. Most likely is a freezing of income tax thresholds, but there have been a number of other tax proposals that have been floated over the summer.
“Looking ahead, our latest Scottish Business Monitor, published today, shows that while Scottish firms are still showing resilience, with modest improvements in employment and sales, there is a growing sense of pessimism. Cost pressures remain acute, and there is widespread caution about the potential impact of the UK Budget.
“The Chancellor’s decisions in the UK Budget will be pivotal, not only for business confidence, but also for determining the size of Scotland’s fiscal envelope for the Scottish Budget in January 2026.”
Stuart Cresswell, Scottish Advisor for AB Ports and member of SCC’s Economic Advisory Group, said: “Scotland has already seen significant capital investment in the development of its Green Freeports, but these bold steps need to be backed by a continued laser like focus by the Scottish Government, its agencies, planners and most importantly the Electrical Network providers in delivering the transmission infrastructure required to plug in the offshore wind capacity being developed. This also includes in simple terms making sure that we have enough engineers on the ground to get the job done.”
Two of Scotland’s most decorated Indian restaurants, Itihaas and The Radhuni in Midlothian, have been named as finalists in this year’s UK Curry Life Awards, an event which attracts top politicians and celebrities.
They are nominated for the Best Restaurant and Chef of the Year categories at the event, to be held on 12 October at the Marriott Hotel in London’s Grosvenor Square.
Itihaas, opened in 2007, is in Dalkeith and The Radhuni, launched in 2011, is in Loanhead. Both have won a series of UK, Scottish and regional titles. The Radhuni is one of only a handful of Indian-style restaurants in Scotland to have gained an AA Rosette for culinary excellence.
‘To be nominated once again on a national stage is a true honour,” said Matin Khan, founder and Executive Chef of both restaurants. “While accolades are not new to us, this kind of recognition never loses its significance — it energises both our team and our guests.”
A stellar audience of 500 is expected at the Awards. Guests last year included UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting and many other MPs. Among those who have attended previous events are Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and former Home Secretary Priti Patel. Hosts have included broadcasters Jon Snow, Adam Boulton, Cathy Newman and Angela Rippon.
Matin Khan added: “For this latest recognition I’m deeply grateful to our loyal customers and above all to my incredible team — from the organic producers and delivery drivers to our kitchen porters, chefs and front-of-house professionals. Without them, none of this would be possible.”
Organiser Syed Belal Ahmed said the Awards aimed to highlight best practice in the estimated 10,000 curry restaurants across the country and recognise some of the industry’s greatest achievements.
Matin’s son Habibur, Managing Director of both restaurants, commented: “Itihaas and The Radhuni represent not just exceptional Indian cuisine but our family’s lifelong commitment to quality, community and hospitality.”