Tag: Drylaw Shopping Centre

Drylaw Shopping Centre improvements to begin next month

The Council is taking forward improvements to the public realm around Drylaw shopping centre on Ferry Road and Easter Drylaw Place.

The improvements would make the area safer and more accessible for pedestrians.

AtkinsRéalis has prepared designs for improvements to the public realm. These include

  • widening pavements to create more pedestrian space
  • creating informal crossings for pedestrians to use
  • improving parking arrangements
  • replacement of the steps onto Ferry Road
  • adding new green space

The improvements are to the public realm only. They will not involve the shopping centre itself, which is not owned or maintained by the Council.

On 13 May 2025, the Council’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee agreed to allocate £168,102 towards the improvements. Detailed designs have been prepared by AtkinsRéalis and were consulted upon in September to October 2025. A stage 2 road safety audit has been prepared by AtkinsRéalis. 

Drylaw_shopping_centre_public_realm___detailed_designsDownload

In March 2026, the Council appointed Luddon Construction to carry out the works.

Works are scheduled to begin on Tuesday 5 May 2026 and complete on Wednesday 24 June 2026 (these dates may require to change).

Download the programme

To allow the works to be carried out safely, it will be necessary to temporarily close roads and restrict parking. In summary:

  • during the first phase (indicatively, Tuesday 5 May 2026 to Tuesday 26 May 2026), parking in the eastern area of the space to the north of the shopping centre will be restricted. The bus stop outside the shopping centre will be closed and a new temporary bus stop created to the west, outside the police station. The westbound lane of Ferry Road will be closed outside the shopping centre. The northern entrance to the shopping centre will be closed to vehicles, so vehicles accesssing the car park will need to take a short detour down Easter Drylaw View and along Easter Drylaw Place.
  • during the second phase (indicatively, Thursday 28 May 2026 to Thursday 18 June 2026), parking in the western area of the space to the north of the shopping centre will be restricted. The bus stop outside the shopping centre will be closed and a new temporary bus stop created to the west, outside the police station. The westbound lane of Ferry Road will be closed for a section outside the western end of the shopping centre.
  • during the third and final phase (indicatively, Thursday 18 June 2026 to Wednesday 24 June 2026), parking in the bays to the southeast of the shopping centre, on Easter Drylaw Place, will be restricted.

Pedestrian access to the shops will not be obstructed. Signs will be displayed to let people know that the shopping centre is open as usual. Deliveries to the rear of the shopping centre will not be affected.

Drylaw_Shopping_Centre_public_realm_improvements___ProgrammeDownload

Foysol Choudhury: What next for Drylaw Shopping Centre?

Drylaw Shopping Centre has been a central part of the neighbourhood for decades: easy to reach, well-used, and home to a variety of shops. Yet despite its importance, it has been overlooked and under-invested in for years (writes FOYSOL CHOUDHURY MSP).

Last year, a constituent raised concerns with me about the centre’s deteriorating condition during one of my surgeries. I took the issue to the Council, and some cleaning and repairs were carried out. These improvements were welcome, but on a recent visit it was clear that many problems persist. The issues are not superficial, they require a long-term, coordinated plan, not temporary fixes.

The ongoing neglect affects more than how the area looks; it shapes how people use the space. That is why I attended the recent public consultation on proposals for improvements.

Many residents took part and made clear that safety must come first. Before new benches, planting or decorative features are introduced, the basics need to be addressed. Central Walk, the main route through the centre, is poorly lit at night. When the lights go out, so does the sense of safety. Reliable lighting and regular maintenance must be prioritised.

Even since my last visit in September, the shrub beds have been tidied up by the Council; however, graffiti remains on the walls and other issues have not been addressed. 

Video Link:  https://we.tl/t-WJ4OEeZSbD

That’s why we must emphasise that real and lasting change will also require collaboration. Since the Council is responsible only for the surrounding area, not the Shopping Centre itself, local businesses have a key role in this renovation. We have already seen a positive example by Farmfoods, which recently invested in replacing its roof section, making a noticeable difference.

However, this level of care must be consistent. Businesses benefit from operating in a well-used, welcoming local space, and with that comes a responsibility to contribute to its upkeep.

Some retailers currently do little to maintain the area they trade in, while continuing to profit from the footfall the centre provides. A shared commitment between the Council and local retailers will be essential to revitalize Drylaw Shopping Centre.

Drylaw is a strong and proud community, and its Shopping Centre should reflect that. I will continue to press for sustained investment that prioritises safety, dignity and a welcoming environment, so that the centre can once again be a place where people feel comfortable spending time and coming together.

Foysol Choudhury has been suspended by the Labour Party over an allegation of inappropriate conduct and an investigation is ongoing. He currently sits as an Independent MSP at Holyrood.

Come and have your say about Drylaw Shopping Centre

DRYLAW SHOPPING CENTRE STREETSCAPE CONSULTATION

THURSDAY 4th SEPTEMBER from 4 – 7pm or respond ONLINE

We are progressing designs for improvements to the area surrounding the Drylaw Shopping Centre.

The proposals aim to address existing issues within the shopping centre, such as; sustainability, accessibility, car parking, vehicular movement, aesthetic appeal, sight lines and safety.

The Drylaw Shopping Centre forms part of the wider Drylaw and Telford Masterplan one of the 13 proposed improvement projects that aim to reimagine local streets and public spaces, making them healthier, more accessible, and nature-positive – while also tackling surface water and flooding challenges in the area.

To help refine the concept designs, we will be conducting a drop-in community and business engagement session at the Shopping Centre on the below date.

Please feel free to visit to give your views on the designs:

📍 Location: Next to Farmfoods at Drylaw Shopping Centre, 661 Ferry Road
📅 Date: Thursday 4th September 2025
🕚 Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Consultation Hub Online Survey:

In addition to the in person engagement, a survey for the project is now live on The City of Edinburgh Council’s Consultation Hub and will run until 8th October 2025.

Please find a link to the survey here and to find out more: 

https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/drylaw-consultation/