Wednesday June 11th 2025
Hadeel craft shop, George Street
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
The Hadeel Fairtrade Palestinian craft shop on George Street has been informed by the Church of Scotland that their current liscence agreement will be terminated in early September with no prior warning.
Hadeel is a non-profit store run by UK charity, Palcrafts, opened in 2013. The organisation provides a source of income alongside additional support to Palestinians craftspeople in The West Bank, Gaza Strip, Galilee, Negev and other Palestinian communities.
Opperating out of one of The Church of Scotland’s properties, they offered the charity organisation reduced rent throughout the years. But, as of Saturday, the Church of Scotland has informed Hadeel that their current licence agreement will be terminated in early September with no warning issued prior to the announcement.
Despite The Church of Scotland considering changing the furure of the building for some years, the eviction notice came without warning with Hadeel’s and parent charity’s Chairperson, Ishaq Ab-Arafeh, posting on Facebook to explain.
He stated, “We have recently been informed by the representatives of the Church of Scotland (CoS) that the current licence agreement for our shop premises at 123 George Street, Edinburgh will be terminated in early September”.
“Although we are aware that over the past few years the Church of Scotland has been considering the future of the building, nevertheless the notice of contract termination came as a surprise and without warning. Despite our deep disappointment, the Joint Council of Hadeel and Palcrafts is cognisant of the reasons that forced CoS to take this decision.”
With next steps for the craft shop being to attempt to extend the termination notice or negotiate rent at another premises from The Church of Scotland, the charity met with representatives from the church to negotiate a future deal.
The Church of Scotland commented on the situation that due to facing significant challenges they are having to make adjustments to the properties used to both offset rising operating costs and to supply wider funding to the Kirk.
A spokesperson from the Church of Scotland said, ““The Church has been able to support the Hadeel shop since 2013 within the national offices building in Edinburgh at a significantly discounted rent, which has not increased over the last 12 years. We are facing significant challenges and we are having to make difficult adjustments to how properties are used, to offset operating costs and contribute to the wider funding of the Kirk.”
“We understand why this news is upsetting for people and it is not a decision we have taken lightly. Church representatives first met with Hadeel representatives in early November, 2024 to discuss the situation and we will continue to work supportively with Hadeel and ecumenical partners to help them find suitable, alternative premises elsewhere.”
Despite the sudden eviction notice presented , the Church of Scotland are assisting Hadeel and Palcrafts to find a new home for their craft shop in a suitable premises elsewhere in the city.
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