food and drink – Page 5 – The NEN

Forever Edinburgh partners with Civerinos to launch ‘Local Legends’ pizzas for National Pizza Day

Forever Edinburgh is teaming up with Edinburgh favourite Civerinos to fire up National Pizza Day tomorrow (Monday 9 February) with the launch of two bold limited-edition pizzas, created with standout local ingredients and available only across the capital for a short time.

Created to celebrate Edinburgh’s dynamic food scene and the makers behind it, the ‘Local Legends: The Scotch Capital’ pizzas bring together punchy local flavours and Civerinos’ New Haven style craft, with both a meat and a vegetarian option designed to stand out on the menu and on the plate.

As part of Forever Edinburgh’s Resident Rewards programme, residents with an EH postcode can enjoy 50 percent off the special ‘Local Legends’ pizzas when dining in on National Pizza Day meaning residents can enjoy this exclusive £15 pizza for just £7.50. The pizzas will be available until they sell out across Civerinos’ Edinburgh locations in Leith, Stockbridge, Forrest Road, Hunter Square and Lost Shore.

Alongside the National Pizza Day offer, Civerinos will also offer 20 percent off all full-sized pizzas for residents dining in from Monday to Thursday for the remainder of February, helping locals enjoy great food for less beyond the celebration.

Cllr Jane Meagher, leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Forever Edinburgh’s Resident Rewards programme has been a real success in reminding residents what’s great about their city, while delivering real benefits for communities and local businesses.

“It supports year-round footfall, celebrates Edinburgh’s independent sector and gives residents reasons to explore and enjoy what’s right here on their doorstep.

“This partnership with Civerinos is a great example of that in action, bringing together local producers and a well-known Edinburgh brand to create something distinctive for National Pizza Day, while rewarding local people and promoting the very best of Edinburgh’s food scene.”

The meat pizza features a marinara base topped with mozzarella from Yester Farm, scotch bonnet chillies, rosemary roasted potato, seasoned sausage meat from Campbells Prime Meat, parmesan and a finishing drizzle of whisky-infused Scottish heather honey made using Woven Whisky.

The vegetarian option showcases a sweet potato base topped with crispy kale, sea salt and truffle whipped ricotta, celebrating ingredients long associated with Scottish cooking.

Mark De’Mar, Commerical Director at Civerinos, said: “Civerinos has always been about community, from the people we work with to the ingredients we use and the neighbourhoods our restaurants sit in.

“Partnering with Forever Edinburgh for National Pizza Day allows us to shine a light on local suppliers while giving something back to Edinburgh residents through the Resident Rewards programme. It also ties in perfectly with the rollout of our new menu this month, which continues to celebrate bold flavours and quality produce.”

The collaboration forms part of Forever Edinburgh’s Resident Rewards programme, which offers exclusive discounts and experiences to people living in the capital, thanking them for their role in supporting the city’s visitor economy and local businesses year-round. Launched to reconnect residents with Edinburgh’s leisure, hospitality and culture, the programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

For full details on how to get your Local Legends pizza or claim your Resident Rewards discount at participating Civerinos restaurants, please visit:

www.edinburgh.org/locallegendpizza.

Terms and conditions apply.

The Scottish Cheese Academy launches for hospitality and food lovers

Scottish Cheese Academy aims to give Scottish Cheese the global status of Scotch Whisky

Tanny Gill, one of Scotland’s World Cheese Awards judges, has announced the launch of The Scottish Cheese Academy.

With over 20 years of experience in the industry, the Scottish Cheese Academy has been created to fill a gap in professional education, help cheese lovers learn more about Scottish cheese, and help give Scottish cheese the cultural status and global reverence of Scottish Whisky.

The Scottish Cheese Academy is the first of its kind in Scotland, and will deliver certified cheese education, bespoke hospitality training, and cultural tourism experiences, acting as the official voice for Scottish cheese expertise. Whether looking to boost a career or simply refine a palate, The Scottish Cheese Academy brings sommelier level expertise.

Recognising the need for a definitive educational body, The Scottish Cheese Academy is the only Academy of Cheese partner to cover Scottish cheese history, provenance, and product evolution alongside globally recognised certification content.

The Scottish Cheese Academy will deliver a number of services designed for luxury hotels, fine dining restaurants, retailers, international visitors and cheese lovers. With delivery of the globally recognised Academy of Cheese certified programs, beginning with Level 1, The Scottish Cheese Academy will help hospitality businesses ensure staff are qualified to industry standards.

The Hospitality Partnership Programme offers staff training to help improve employee expertise and career development. Specialist Masterclasses will offer high value workshops focusing on cultural pairing, including advanced cheese and Scotch Whisky matching, Gin pairing, and seasonal wild food integration.

There are also sessions for cheese lovers and tourists with sessions designed to focus on storytelling, provenance, and the rich history of Scottish artisan food with high end sensory experiences.

Tanny Gill, Founder of The Scottish Cheese Academy, said: “The Scottish Cheese Academy was born from a desire to transform passionate industry individuals into experts, having worked from the production floor at Isle of Mull to the premium retail environment of La Fromagerie, I realised there was a missing link in how we educate our professionals.

“My goal is to raise the standard of service across the hospitality sector and champion our heritage with the same rigor applied to the world’s finest wines and whiskies.

“Hospitality teams need the confidence to sell and describe artisan cheese with the same fluency they use for wine.

“But equally, the Academy delivers the high-end sensory experiences food lovers need to truly understand the history and flavor profiles of our amazing cheeses.”

The launch is bolstered by a Strategic Advisory Board with experts from the global luxury and dairy sectors. Board members include international experts like Patricia Michelson of La Fromagerie, Andrew Baker the Chair of Highland Fine Cheeses, and Susan Sturman the Head of Makers & Mongers, establishing immediate credibility for The Scottish Cheese Academy.

Tanny Gill’s career encompasses hands-on production at Isle of Mull Cheese, specialised retail mastery at London’s iconic La Fromagerie, and over two decades in commercial leadership at Clarks Speciality Foods. One of Scotland’s only World Cheese Awards judges, Tanny Gill is also actively involved with the Royal Highland show Cheese and dairy awards, launching The Scottish Cheese Academy with international tasting credibility.

The courses at The Scottish Cheese Academy are designed to be interactive and transformative, creating confident ambassadors for Scottish cheese. The Scottish Cheese Academy is now open for inquiries regarding training partnerships, course bookings, and media collaborations.

For more information, visit: https://scottishcheeseacademy.com/

New Scottish Favourites products heading to Edinburgh Scotmid stores

Six Scottish food and drink suppliers are celebrating after being named winners of Scotmid’s Scottish Favourites competition, securing the opportunity to have their products listed in Scotmid stores in 2026.

Launched as part of Scottish Food & Drink September 2025, the competition is designed to support local producers by raising their profile, opening routes into retail, and bringing innovative Scottish food and drink products to convenience shoppers in Edinburgh.

The recent competition, once again run in partnership with Scotland Food & Drink, attracted a strong field of entries from producers based across Scotland, reflecting the continued strength, diversity and quality of the nation’s food and drink sector.

With “Innovation” set as the theme, producers were challenged to submit products that offered something new, imaginative and distinctive. From retro-inspired favourites and globally influenced flavours to on-trend dairy and healthier snacking options, this year’s winning line-up highlights the breadth of ideas currently shaping the market.

Following a rigorous judging process, six suppliers were selected as winners. The successful suppliers, their locations and winning products are:

The Gin Bothy (Angus) – Scottish Chilli Jam and Scottish Strawberry Jam
Cosmo (Midlothian) – Margherita Pizzini and BBQ Chicken Pizzini Twin Pack
Nudie Snacks (Glasgow) – Soured Cream & Chive and American BBQ Sweet Potato Chips
PK Foods / Mr Singh’s (Glasgow) – Chicken Bhuna Curry and South Indian Garlic Chicken Curry
Yester Farm Dairies (East Lothian) – Cottage Cheese and Luxury Soft Cheese
Nakey Bakey (Fife) – Mixed Berry and Strawberry Mango Fusion Granola

Each winning supplier will receive a Scotmid listing, with products expected to launch across selected stores during 2026, subject to final ranging and rollout plans.

Steven Addison, Local Sourcing Manager at Scotmid, said: “Our Scottish Favourites competition has grown year on year and is now a recognised route to market for Scottish producers. As ever, selecting the winners was a real challenge, with a high standard of creativity and quality across the entries.

“We’re proud to support local suppliers and help innovative brands take the next step in their retail journey. This year’s winners demonstrate just how dynamic and forward-thinking the sector is, and we’re looking forward to working with them as their products launch in our stores in 2026.”

Angus Bell at Scotland Food & Drink, added: “Scottish Favourites continues to provide an important opportunity for ambitious producers to engage with retail and showcase their products to a wider audience. 

“Scotmid’s commitment to local sourcing and to championing innovation plays a valuable role in supporting the growth of Scotland’s food and drink sector and Scotland Food and Drink are delighted to have partnered with Scotmid again. 

“The winners combine creativity with commercial appeal. Whether reinventing familiar favourites or responding to emerging consumer demands, these businesses are helping to grow our brilliant food and drink sector in Scotland” 

Scotmid and Scotland Food & Drink would like to thank all producers who entered the competition and congratulate the winning suppliers on their success.

Aldi giving away vouchers every week to new parents in Edinburgh

RETURN OF MAMIA NEW PARENT FUND

Aldi commits to supporting families with the return of its Mamia New Parent Fund for 2026, following the success of the programme last year, which saw thousands of parents apply.

Now in its second year, the Mamia New Parent Fund will continue supporting new parents with the cost of everyday essentials after welcoming a new baby, with nearly a fifth (17%) of new parents saying recurring nappy purchases are among the biggest, unexpected costs.

The supermarket is giving away £100 Aldi vouchers every week in Edinburgh throughout 2026, totalling £5,200 to be used on everything from nappies and wipes to baby food and toiletries.

The news comes as Aldi unveils new data showing the significant savings available to parents who choose Mamia nappies. Parents using Mamia nappies could save up to £380 over the first year compared with leading branded equivalents*.

The return of the fund reinforces the UK’s fourth largest supermarket’s ongoing commitment to helping families make their money go further through the Mamia range, which offers award-winning quality at unbeatable prices.

Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, said: “We know that welcoming a baby brings immense joy, but it can also bring unexpected financial challenges at a time when every penny counts.

“The response to last year’s Fund showed us just how much parents value this support, with thousands applying. That’s why we’re bringing the Mamia New Parent Fund back for 2026 to continue giving families a helping hand with those everyday essentials.”

Aldi’s Mamia range includes nappies, wipes, baby food and toiletries, all rigorously tested to meet the same high standards as branded equivalents but at a fraction of the cost.

Aldi was named Supermarket of the Year by Mother&Baby, confirming that families can trust Aldi to deliver unbeatable value across their entire shop.

New parents who want to apply for Aldi’s Mamia New Parent Fund should email mamiaparentfund@aldi.co.ukwith a receipt showing their latest Mamia purchase. One family will be chosen each week throughout 2026 to receive a £100 voucher to spend in any UK Aldi store.

For full terms and conditions, visit:

https://www.aldipresscentre.co.uk/terms-and-conditions-for-aldis-mamia-new-parent-fund-the-prize-draw/

Former Gleneagles chef brings Indian superfoods to the fore with wellness-led dishes at Bombay Bistro

Edinburgh restaurant, Bombay Bistro, is spotlighting the naturally nourishing power of Indian cuisine with dishes designed to support modern wellness goals without sacrificing flavour.

Led by Chef Mandeep Saini, former head chef at Gleneagles, the restaurant is showcasing a range of dishes built around Indian ‘superfoods’, ingredients long valued for their health benefits from fibre-rich pulses and antioxidant-packed vegetables to warming spices known to support digestion and immunity.

Drawing on his experience in some of Scotland’s most prestigious kitchens, Chef Mandeep has created a selection of dishes that reframe healthy eating as vibrant and comforting, while still deeply satisfying, offering a welcome alternative to restrictive ‘clean eating’.

A stand-out dish is the masala broccoli & pumpkin superfood salad, combining roasted pumpkin, tender broccoli florets and a fragrant masala dressing. Naturally high in fibre and antioxidants, the dish supports gut health and immunity, while delivering the bold comforting flavours Bombay Bistro is well-known for.

Chef Mandeep Saini, said: “Indian cuisine has always been rooted in balance, using spices and ingredients that nourish the body as well as excite the palate. At Bombay Bistro, I want to highlight how naturally healthy Indian food can be, without it ever feeling restrictive. These are dishes designed to support wellbeing and still feel indulgent.”

Other superfood-led dishes include:

Chana Jor Salad – a vibrant Indian-style salad of roasted, flattened gram chickpeas, boiled potatoes, mango and fresh coriander, finished with a jaggery and lemon coconut dressing.
Undhiyu Chaat – drawing on traditional Gujarati flavours through a mix of sweet potato, banana, spinach, noodles and pomegranate seeds, balancing sweet and spicy notes.
Chicken Shorba – a classic Indian soup of lightly spiced masala chicken broth and chunky vegetables.

Spices used across the menu, including turmeric, cumin, ginger and coriander, are celebrated for their anti-inflammatory properties and role in supporting digestion, heart health and overall vitality.

Chef Mandeep Saini has set out to not only deliver a range of thoughtfully prepared dishes, but with incredible, vibrant flavours, proving that food designed with wellness in mind can be just as delicious.

Bombay Bistro’s superfood focused dishes are now available, offering diners a flavour led way to eat well, feel good and enjoy food that is nourishing as it is delicious.

Bombay Bistro is located at 14-17 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4HN. To book, please click here.

Aldi store colleagues across Edinburgh to get another pay rise

Supermarket extends market-leading pay rates

Starting pay for Store Assistants in Edinburgh will increase to £13.35 per hour, with higher rates of £14.30 available based on length of service
Updated pay rates for Store Assistants take effect from Sunday 1^st March 2026
Aldi is also enhancing maternity pay, extending full pay to 26 weeks

Aldi store colleagues across Edinburgh are set to receive market-leading rates of pay as part of a £36 million investment in pay and benefits by the UK’s fourth-largest supermarket.

From Sunday 1^st March 2026, starting pay for Store Assistants in Edinburgh will rise to £13.35 per hour, rising to £14.30 per hour based on length of service.

Aldi is also increasing pay rates for Store Apprentices in Edinburgh to £12.02 per hour. These rates are significantly higher than the minimum wage for a first-year apprentice.

Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “Our colleagues are at the heart of everything we do. Their hard work and dedication is what allows us to offer customers the quality, value and service they expect from Aldi.

“That’s why we’re making such a significant investment in our promise to never be beaten on pay for our colleagues.”

All Aldi colleagues will see their pay rise over the coming months, as well as receiving enhanced family-friendly benefits, with maternity pay extended to 26 weeks at full pay.

Aldi also remains the only supermarket to offer paid breaks to all its store colleagues – a benefit worth up to £1,470 a year to store colleagues.

Those interested in a career with Aldi can visit www.aldirecruitment.co.uk for more information.

5 healthy eating tips you’ll wish you tried sooner

January often arrives with a wave of “new year, new you” messages – promises of miracle diets, detoxes, and overnight transformations. But what if, instead of leaning into strict restrictions, we embrace small steps and consistency? Because let’s face it, slow and steady always wins the race (well, the marathon at least)!

In this months Healthy Tip Amie Leckie, Registered Nutritional Therapist and Health & Wellbeing Specialist at Heart Research UK offers up her top five ways to eat better this year, not just for January, but all the way through to December and beyond!

Optimal health doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a slow and steady journey that requires small, consistent changes. The five strategies below aren’t rocket science, and you won’t need a degree in nutrition to understand them – it’s simple, back-to-basics stuff that doesn’t require any special supplements or equipment. If you are struggling with your health and want 2026 to be the year you finally tackle it, start with these five simple things and be consistent – you’ll be surprised with the results you achieve.

And whatever your nutrition goals are this year, we’ve got you covered with five delicious Daily Meal Plans to help get you started on the right foot.

Cook From Scratch

Cooking more things at home is one of the best things you can do for overall health. When we cook at home, we have complete control over the ingredients used. This allows us to avoid unhealthy additives, preservatives, and unhealthy fats commonly found in processed foods.

In addition, foods prepared from fresh ingredients are usually richer in essential nutrients compared to highly processed foods. Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in whole foods are often lost or decreased during processing – by cooking from scratch, we ensure our bodies receive the full spectrum of nutrients necessary for optimal function.

If you currently eat a lot of processed foods such as ready meals, instant soups, frozen pizzas and flavoured yoghurts, start by committing to cook from scratch a few meals or days per week – slowly build up until processed foods form only a small part of your diet.

Batch Cook/Prep

One of the biggest barriers to consistently eating well is time, or lack of. When days or even weeks get busy, despite our best intentions, we often reach for quick, easy options and these usually aren’t the healthiest.

Amie Leckie, Health & Wellbeing Specialist says: “Setting aside a couple of hours each week to batch cook a few meals and organise snacks for the week ahead really can be a game changer.

“If you have carrot sticks and melon slices waiting for you in the fridge, it will be much easier to snack on those over crisps.”

Sunday afternoon is a good time, go shopping and get cooking – things like a batch of soup for lunches, hummus and veg sticks for snacks, boiled eggs for breakfast and a couple of batch cooked evening meals like curries or a veggie-packed lasagne are great options.

Even if you don’t want to cook the whole meal ahead of time, you can chop veggies, mix spices or marinate meats and fish – do whatever you can ahead of time to make the week run smoother.

Snack on Veggies

We all know that eating more vegetables is good for our overall health as well as our cardiovascular health, but without adding them into our days as snacks it can be hard to consume as much as we need.

All adults should be consuming at least 30g of fibre per day, but only about 4% of adults in the UK meet this recommendation. Upping your vegetable intake is a great way to add more fibre – raw veggies make great snacks that can be prepared in advance. Carrots, celery, cucumber, peppers, cherry tomatoes and sugar snap peas make great options.

If the thought of snacking on plain veggies isn’t for you, why not try some of our heart healthy dips to make those humble vegetables more appealing?

You can download our Dips Recipe Book here.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration is an essential part of nutrition and can either help or hinder your heart’s ability to work effectively. Studies have found that being adequately hydrated is associated with reduced long-term risks for heart diseases.

Did you know that over 66% of the UK population doesn’t drink enough water?

Amie says: “Every single cell in our body needs water to function optimally, its such a simple, yet often overlooked part of the health puzzle.

“If you are even moderately dehydrated it can impact your energy levels, cause brain fog and leaving feeling all-round rubbish.”

Most adults need to drink about 1.5-2 litres of fluids per day (milk and herbal teas count too!), you can download our 30-Day Hydration Tracker to help you keep track of this.

Meal Plan

Meal planning links in with batch cooking and prepping. Taking time each week to write down what meals you will eat each day will take away the decisions during the week making it less likely you’ll end up ordering a takeaway.

What’s more, you can plan your meals based on your goals – for example, if you are aiming to loose weight, plan high protein meals that will help keep you feeling fuller for longer, making it easier and more enjoyable for you to cut calories.

Amie suggests: “One of my favourite strategies is to meal plan very well once and never do it again. Make two or three weeks’ worth of meal plans, with accompanying shopping lists and then alternate the weeks.

“Three weeks is a long enough time that you’ll get in a variety of meals so you won’t be bored, and you can swap out the odd meal here and there when you find a new recipe you enjoy – spend some time doing it upfront and save the headaches every week!”

Heart Research UK Daily Meal Plans.

Each plan focuses on a key dietary principle that supports heart health, so you can choose what fits your goals and lifestyle.

Whether you want to boost your protein, add more fibre, eat more plants, or simply find healthier ways to celebrate, these plans are here to help you start the year strong.

Pick one that speaks to your goals or try a different one each week to explore new flavours and habits.

You might be surprised at how quickly “eating well” starts to feel like a joy, not a chore: download them now.

The £800 Postcode Penalty: Aldi reveals Scottish towns that are paying hundreds more for groceries

Families in towns across Scotland are paying up to £2,437 more per year on their grocery shopping simply because they lack access to a discount supermarket, new analysis from Aldi reveals.

The findings form part of Aldi’s national review of towns facing the steepest postcode penalty, with shoppers in places such as Cathcart in Glasgow missing out on the savings enjoyed by those with access to Aldi.

The analysis shows that households without access to Aldi – which has been named the UK’s Cheapest Supermarket by consumer champion Which? for the past five years – pay £826 more on average, rising to £2,437 in areas dominated by the highest-priced supermarkets.

These figures are based on the average monthly cost difference between Aldi and either the average major UK supermarkets, or the most expensive UK supermarket, using the prices of a typical 68-item shopping basket tracked by Which?*.

Across the UK, Aldi has mapped 220 locations where shoppers are disproportionately affected by this postcode penalty.

In Scotland, this includes towns such as Cathcart, Bonnyrigg, Clarkston, Barnton (? – Ed.) and Largs where residents are paying more for identical groceries because no discount supermarket is available locally.

Jonathan Neale, Managing Director of National Real Estate at Aldi UK, said: “No one should pay more for their weekly shop simply because of where they live. We believe every household should have access to high-quality, affordable food.

“With household budgets under intense pressure, local access to a discounter isn’t just convenient – it can save families hundreds of pounds a year. These findings show that expanding access to Aldi is one of the simplest ways to reduce the cost of living for many.”

Aldi has invested £650 million across Britain through its store opening and refurbishment programme in 2025, with each new site creating around 40 jobs.

The discounter also recently announced it would be doubling down on its investment in Britain with a £1.6 billion commitment over the next two years, opening 40 stores each year as it moves towards its ambition to have 1,500 UK stores.

Edinburgh Zoo appoints Sodexo Live! as catering and hospitality partner

With a food and beverage plan built around conservation, community, and engagement, early priorities to be delivered by the team will focus on improving quality and consistency across the site, refreshing menus with seasonal produce in collaboration with local suppliers, and embedding a service culture that mirrors the zoo’s educational and conservation values.

Adding to the list of iconic Sodexo Live! client partners across Scotland, including V&A Dundee, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Signet Library and Hampden Park, this collaboration will celebrate and strengthen the zoo’s unique identity, making food and drink an integral part of its story.

Claire Morris, CEO of Sodexo Live! UK & Ireland, said: “Edinburgh Zoo is a world-class visitor attraction, and this partnership gives us the unique opportunity to really transform the catering offering to reflect RZSS’s vision.

“By positioning Edinburgh Zoo as a place of global exploration and education – a living classroom for all – we want to create a sense of culinary adventure and discovery through exciting, diverse global flavours aligned to the animals’ natural habitats.

“We want our food to be more than just a service – we want it to add joy and make visitors’ zoo experience even more immersive and meaningful.”

Ben Supple, RZSS Deputy Chief Executive, said: “We want to provide visitors to Edinburgh Zoo with the very best experience as this will encourage more people to learn about and protect our natural world.

“Catering is an essential part of that and we are looking forward to working in partnership with the Sodexo Live! and Heritage Portfolio team to develop an exceptional offer which celebrates local, high quality and sustainable produce.”

The collaboration represents a truly local partnership, combining extensive Scottish hospitality knowledge with RZSS’s mission to ‘protect, value and love nature.’ Inspired by the zoo’s animals and their habitats, a ‘Feeding Natural Curiosity’ philosophy will be implemented, guiding menu development, emphasising global flavours, from-scratch cooking, zero-waste initiatives, and community partnerships.

Sodexo Live! supports some of the UK’s most iconic music, cultural and sporting events, plus conference centres and airport lounges, by delivering world class hospitality and food services. Producing outstanding catering and event services, it serves some of the most prestigious venues across Britain, delivering amazing experiences that go beyond the remarkable food it creates.

Globally, partners include The Scottish Open, Royal Ascot, the Tour de France, and exceptional venues such as the Eiffel Tower Restaurants, the Royal Academy of Arts in London, Hard Rock Stadium, and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. 

For more information see  www.sodexolive.co.uk  

M Core invest almost £5m in the regeneration of The Centre, Livingston

RANKED THE MOST ATTRACTIVE SHOPPING CENTRE IN SCOTLAND

M Core, owners of The Centre, Livingston invests almost £5m on the regeneration of the shopping centre, which includes launching a new leisure hub later this year and a new sustainability programme which includes reusing pallets for planters and bug hotels.

Since acquiring The Centre, Livingston less than two years ago, M Core has delivered a comprehensive ‘repositioning’ of the shopping centre, which is one of Scotland’s largest retail destinations, spanning 1m sq. ft. and attracting 15.4m visitors a year.

The regeneration programme has focused on strengthening its retail, leisure and social offer while ensuring long-term sustainability for the local community.

In 2025 the shopping centre welcomed various new brands, including Wingstop, a 90-seater Starbucks, Sostrene Grene, MINISO and Flying Tiger, with more new openings in the pipeline this year and expansions, including JD Sports, which will be tripling in size and launching in the spring.

Sustainability has been central to the regeneration programme which includes replacing a section of the roof using a 100% recyclable membrane and improved recycling systems, which have all contributed to lower consumption and reduced carbon emissions.

Further improvements are underway with the phased replacement of the Building Management System which will monitor and control all lights, heating and cooling systems more effectively to help reduce its carbon footprint. Delivery pallets have also been recycled to build planters and bug hotels.

In recognition of the significant transformation at The Centre, Livingston, the company, which is one of Europe’s leading property collectives, has been named a finalist in the Regeneration Project of the Year category at the 13^th Scottish Property Awards, which takes place in Glasgow next month.

M Core has also been announced as the leading Investment Manager in Scotland in the Going Shopping 2026 report by Trevor Wood Associates, with The Centre, Livingston ranked the most attractive shopping centre in Scotland.

Simon Eatough, Director at LCP, part of M Core and Asset Manager to The Centre, Livingston said: “Our regeneration programme is well under way at The Centre, Livingston with even more exciting plans afoot.

“Being recognised for our efforts to revitalise the shopping centre is a great achievement for everyone who has been involved in the regeneration programme.

“Our work at The Centre, Livingston is grounded in long-term investment, active management and close collaboration with our partners and community.

“We’re very proud of the progress achieved so far and remain committed to ensuring The Centre, Livingston continues to thrive as a retail, dining and leisure destination for West Lothian and beyond.”