Tag: expansion plans

Fort Kinnaird reveals major expansion plans for new retail and leisure space

Shoppers and families could soon have even more reasons to visit Fort Kinnaird, as plans have been submitted for more than 42,500 sq ft of new retail and leisure space, creating more than 60 jobs for the local area.

If approved, the centre would welcome a new food store of c.19,750 sq ft on the ground floor, alongside c.22,785 sq ftof leisure space on the first floor, supporting the continued growth of the destination’s leisure quarter and enhancing the overall visitor experience.

The new building would be located alongside Fort Kinnaird’s established leisure and food offering, including ODEON cinema, Wagamama and Nando’s.

The announcement follows last year’s refurbishment of the Eastern Terrace, which saw more than 20,000 sq ft of retail space upgraded and welcomed new stores including Lush, Rituals and Clintons.

It builds on Fort Kinnaird’s position as one of the UK’s largest retail parks, extending across more than 560,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space in total.

Liam Smith, Centre Director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “This is a really exciting time for us. We have no doubt the new development, if approved, will prove exceptionally popular with our visitors. It will offer convenience for everyday shopping but also more choice when spending quality time with family and friends.

“Beyond that, we’re really proud this project will create over 60 new jobs in the local area. The development is about strengthening Fort Kinnaird as a destination for the whole community.”

Designed with sustainability in mind, the new building would incorporate Air Source Heat Pumps and solar photovoltaic systems to help reduce energy consumption and support lower-carbon operations.

Subject to planning approval, consent is expected in November 2026, with works anticipated to begin in January 2027 and completion targeted for January 2028.

Fort Kinnaird is co-owned by retail landlord, British Land, which recently also submitted a 60,000 sq ft retail and leisure expansion at Glasgow Fort, reflecting its confidence in investing in destinations that bring together shopping, dining and entertainment.

For further details or to plan your visit to Fort Kinnaird, please visit: 

https://www.fortkinnaird.com/

Ocean Terminal launches online public exhibition

Ocean Terminal has launched an online exhibition to provide local residents with the opportunity to learn more about the proposed redevelopment of the centre and its £100m plans to open up the Leith waterfront for the community.

Put forward by the centre’s Scottish owners, Ambassador Group, the proposal to remodel the 20-year-old centre builds on their vision to create a destination that reflects the needs and aspirations of the people who live and work in Leith and north Edinburgh, adding to the wider regeneration of the area.

With ambitions to maximise the potential of the location with a dramatic streetscape facing the Firth of Forth, Ambassador Group plans to reconfigure the building, with new mixed-used indoor and outdoor space, achieved by the demolition of the existing north multistorey car park and the former Debenhams store.

The exhibition (www.development-oceanterminal.com) is designed to illustrate Ambassador’s strategy for the transformation of the site and will be an opportunity for local people to have their say on the proposals as plans are shaped ahead of the submission of a full planning application early next year.

There will be a chance to put questions to the project team today (Thursday 23 September) between 12 noon and 8pm. The deadline for comments through the feedback form is 8th October.

 A second exhibition, which will present more detailed proposals, is planned for later in the year before a full planning application is submitted to City of Edinburgh Council in early 2022.

Chris Richardson, Managing Director of Ambassador Investments, who is leading the £100m project for Ambassador Group, said: “The regeneration of Leith, with the extension of the tramline to Newhaven and new housing, has allowed us to evolve our ambitions for the centre to create a destination that sits at the heart of this new community.

“Over the pandemic, we’ve seen how local people have relied on Ocean Terminal as a place to connect and with the move towards the idea for 20-minute neighbourhoods, with services, shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities all on the doorstep, there is an opportunity to reimagine the entire space.

“At the same time, and as part of the broader issues that face us, we are committed to climate change mitigation and the promotion of sustainability, in line with City of Edinburgh Council and Scottish Government net zero targets, through the use of energy efficient materials and low carbon energy generation. The redevelopment allows us to embrace this going forward.

“The online exhibition is an opportunity for people to understand our approach, to ask questions and offer feedback. We want to hear what people think as we continue to develop the plans.”

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