Three new stores open in Livingston next week

The countdown is on to the opening of three new stores at one of Scotland’s largest shopping centres, The Centre, Livingston next week, The Works on Thursday, 27th, Flying Tiger Copenhagen on the 28th, which is Black Friday and MINISO on Saturday, 29th November.

The three new arrivals follow on from the recent opening of Wingstop and the jewellers, F.Hinds at The Centre, Livingston, which has over 150 shops and restaurants, including M&S, Flannels, River Island, JD Sports, wagamama and Nando’s, welcoming over 14.8m visitors a year.

The Works, which sells a wide range of books, art and craft supplies, stationery, toys and games, including stocking filler essentials, will open at 9am on Thursday, 27th November. Visitors can enjoy live product demonstrations and free activity sheets and stickers for children.

The opening of Flying Tiger Copenhagen the following day at 9am, will be marked with an official, celebratory ribbon ceremony, with the first 200 customers receiving a complimentary goody bag.

The global Danish brand, which specialises in creating modern, seasonal items and contemporary, colourful everyday essentials, from homeware and stationery to toys and decorations, will also be running various promotions on the day and a ‘Spin the Wheel’ competition to win prizes. The brand’s mascot will also be making an appearance to entertain shoppers.

Opening just in time for Christmas, visitors to the store will be able to pick up everything they need for the festive season, including stocking fillers, gadgets, games and sweet treats. 

Pic Greg Macvean 03/07/2025 The Centre, Livingston – Style Squad and Miniso

The pop culture retailer, MINISO, will open the day after Flying Tiger Copenhagen, on Saturday, 29th November at 12noon, with goody bags for the first 200 shoppers who spend £5, which are worth £25. There will also be a special visit from MINISO’s mascot, Penpen.

The brand is known for its fun, colourful and trendy design-led lifestyle products, including unique collectables, plush toys and figurines from brands like Hello Kitty, Harry Potter and Friends, and its beauty and homeware range.

The Centre, Livingston, which is owned by LCP UK, part of M Core, one of Europe’s leading privately owned commercial property development and management companies, has welcomed various other brands this year including Starbucks, Aunty Anne’s, XXXTra and the country’s first darts store, ArrowHeadz.

Pizza Dawgz and Cake Box is expected to open early next year and Marble Buffet in the summer, which will be their first site in a Scottish shopping centre.

The company is also planning to expand into the leisure sector with the opening of Hollywood Bowl in 2026, featuring 22 lanes, an arcade and a bar and diner.

Michael Burke, Flying Tiger Copenhagen, Managing Director UK and Ireland, said: ‘‘We’re thrilled to be opening our new store at The Centre, Livingston, just in time for the festive season. It’s the perfect opportunity to bring our unique mix of fun, creative and affordable products to even more shoppers. 

“We look forward to welcoming customers in to explore the range and find everything they need to make this Christmas that bit more magical.’’

Simon Eatough, Director at LCP UK, part of M Core and Asset Manager of The Centre, Livingston, said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming three new brands to The Centre, Livingston, The Works, Flying Tiger Copenhagen and MINISO which is great timing, just ahead of Christmas.

“Alongside our existing mix of great places to shop and dine out, which has been enhanced even more this year with many exciting new arrivals, we are confident all three new openings will be a big hit with our shoppers.”

Iconic Edinburgh record shop Avalanche Records moves to bigger space following record year

Independent Edinburgh record shop, Avalanche Records, has invested over £100k in partnership with Waverley Market owners Moorgarth, in a move to a larger premise in the centre, following a record-breaking year.

The new space, located in Waverley Market tucked above Edinburgh Waverley station and just steps from Princes Street and the Royal Mile, was previously a storage area meaning a new shop has been created from scratch.

The new shop, dedicated to vinyl, CDs, posters and t-shirts, is considerably bigger compared to Avalanche Records’ previous location.

The move to the new space this month comes as Avalanche Records reports a record-breaking year since first opening its doors to music lovers four decades ago. A number of high-profile gigs in Edinburgh in 2025, including Oasis, AC/DC and Chappell Roan, have helped attract music fans to the store. 

Avalanche Records recorded its best ever month in August surpassing the previous record in December 2024 and 60% up on August 2024.

Everything in the new space has been purpose built to deliver the best shopping experience for customers. The space dedicated to stocking vinyl, CDs and posters will each grow by 50%, with t-shirt space seeing a 25% increase, meaning there will be even more stock for music lovers to choose from.

From those looking to discover Scottish artists old and new, to those wanting the latest vinyl from their favourite global superstars, Avalanche Records has it covered. The new shop front will also showcase two large window displays featuring the very best of  what Avalanche Records has to offer.

41 years after first opening its doors, Avalanche Records sticks to its original principles of promoting the artists they like while also listening to what their customers want.

Avalanche Records stuck with vinyl when vinyl popularity took a big dip but is now reaping the rewards of its revival, while not dismissing CDs, as well as catering for the huge demand for music merchandise with a wide range of t-shirts, posters, prints, cards, patches and badges.

The latest move from Avalanche Records follows a number of recent investments in Waverley Market, including the launch of gift and gadget shop Menkind on the upper level, and the soon to be open bowling and games bar with food and drink, King Pins. Further tenants will be announced in the New Year, with limited units remaining.

Avalanche Records has also been an ongoing supporter of Waverley Market, most recently hosting an exhibition in the Market’s “secret staircase” in collaboration with international artist Butcher Billy, with a number of striking Taylor Swift graphics on display which attracted over ten thousand visitors.

Kevin Buckle, Avalanche Records owner, said: “This move marks a huge moment for us and Waverley Market, as we move into the biggest space the centre has available. Our continued growth shows there is still very much a love for physical music, as music lovers look to find new talent as well as listen to their favourite stars.

“We can’t wait for everyone to see the new space and, moving forward, we intend to work even more closely with our fellow tenants such as Rainbow Bubble Tea and The Cheery Churro who are particularly popular with our younger customers.

“The extra floor space means we can now stock more merchandise, for example we can now carry a full selection of the much sought after punk teddy bears lovingly made by the Fife artist Marie Allan and a popular present for those Christmas shopping.”  

Neil G Mackie, Waverley Market Centre Manager, said: “I am absolutely delighted to see not only the relocation and upsizing of Avalanche Records within Waverley Market, but also the confidence and commitment of this key tenant in the centre.

“Avalanche Records is a phenomenal retail offer, founded on knowledge and experience, which is unique not only to Waverley Market but more importantly to the wider Edinburgh retail landscape”.

Avalanche Records can be found in Waverley Market and is open 7 days a week 10am – 6pm (11am – 5pm on Sundays).

For more information, visit: https://avalancherecords.co.uk/

Multrees Walk expands luxury retail offering with the arrival of OMEGA

Swiss watchmaker OMEGA has announced the opening of its first standalone boutique in Edinburgh, located at the prestigious Multrees Walk.

Spanning 2,000 square feet across two stylish floors, the new boutique will offer an elevated customer experience, complete with a dedicated lounge and bar area, creating a welcoming environment for customers to discover the world of OMEGA.

The new boutique will showcase OMEGA’s renowned watch collections, including the Constellation, Seamaster, Speedmaster, and De Ville families. 

Visitors will also be able to explore OMEGA’s range of matching accessories and fine jewellery, making the store the perfect destination for watch enthusiasts.

 Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of OMEGA said: “OMEGA’s new location in the heart of Edinburgh aligns perfectly with the Scottish spirit, balancing forward-thinking innovation with a deep respect for heritage and traditions”.

Adam Stone, Head of Retail Asset Management UK at Nuveen said: “We are delighted to welcome OMEGA to Multrees Walk.

“Their arrival further strengthens our reputation as Scotland’s leading luxury shopping destination.

“As we continue to grow and expand the retail offering in Edinburgh, we are excited to be welcoming world-class brands and luxury retailers on board.”

The arrival of OMEGA marks another milestone for Multrees Walk, which continues to attract leading global brands, with further retailer announcements expected later this year.

Dobbies’ Pet Shop opens to meet demand in Edinburgh

Dobbies Garden Centre in Edinburgh is extending its pet offering to cater for the growing number of animal lovers in the city. From October, the Dobbies store at Lasswade will be home to ‘The Pet Shop’ a new area dedicated entirely to Edinburgh’s pets. 

Dobbies has seen significant growth of its pet products with sales up 10% in 2025. As a result, they’ve introduced a bespoke pet shop and also increased capacity at its much-loved and yearly sell-out Santa Paws experience to help meet anticipated demand for dog-themed Christmas events.  

The Pet Shop will feature an expanded product offering with the introduction of capsule brands, with the likes of Joules, FatFace and Disney providing doggy clothing to keep them warm through winter, improved accessories and toys for all pets to offer a broader choice, as well as trusted puppy training, travel and health products. 

Dogs will also be able to enjoy a new gourmet Pointer pick n mix counter, The Barking Bakery with pooch-friendly cupcakes and Ruffingtons artisanal dog doughnuts and eclairs, as well an impressive range of dried dog food and fresh frozen products from brands like Barking Heads, Pooch & Mutt, Boost Pet and Orijen. 

Dogs are welcome to come in and see The Pet Store for themselves and then enjoy a treat in a dedicated area of the restaurant. Customers can also take part in Dobbies’ monthly social media competition, Dogs at Dobbies, by posting a picture and using the hashtag #dogsatdobbies to be in a chance of winning a gift voucher.

There is even a spot at The Pet Shop where dogs can paws for a selfie with a seasonal backdrop.

Dobbies’ General Manager at the Edinburgh store, Jenna Bavidge said: “Our love for dogs continues to grow and more than ever people are dedicating both time and money to pampering their pets.

“We’ve seen a noticeable shift in shopping habits at our Edinburgh store, and we’re thrilled to have expanded and developed our ranges to meet this rising demand.”

Customers can explore Dobbies’ pet range in-store or online at www.dobbies.com.

12 new openings at one of Scotland’s largest shopping centres including Flying Tiger and Wingstop, creating over 100 jobs

The Centre, Livingston, one of Scotland largest shopping centres, adds Wingstop and Flying Tiger to its list of 12 new openings, creating over 100 jobs for the local area.

Since the start of the year the shopping centre has welcomed the arrival of a 90-seater Starbucks café, Aunty Anne’s, F.Hinds, XXXTRA and last month, ArrowHeadz first darts store in the country.

Plans for further openings before Christmas include Wingstop’s 4,780 sq.ft. restaurant, the Danish lifestyle brand, Flying Tiger, MINISO, Cake Box and Pizza Dawgz. Marble Buffet is expected to open its 380-seater restaurant next summer, which will be their first site in a Scottish mall. 

In addition to new openings, various retailers are also expanding and relocating including JD Sports, which will move from a 9,500 sq ft to a 14,800 sq ft prime location and also Born in Scotland.

Clintons has just relocated and opened a new-look store, which is the first of its kind in Scotland, featuring new furniture, fittings and a refreshed layout, designed to enhance the overall shopping experience.

Retailers which have extended their lease include Lush, Las Iguanas, Foot Locker, Smiggle, Krispy Kreme, Deichmann, Menkind, The Celtic Shop and Subway.

The new arrivals will add to the extensive range of over 150 stores and restaurants at the shopping centre, which spans over 1 million sq. ft. and attracts 14.8 million visitors a year from around the country. 

These include M&S, Flannels, River Island, H&M, Primark, wagamama and Nando’s.

Owners of The Centre, Livingston, LCP UK, part of M Core, one of Europe’s leading, privately owned commercial property development and management companies, have also recently announced major expansion plans into the leisure sector with the opening of Hollywood Bowl in 2026, featuring 22 lanes, an arcade and a bar and diner.

Simon Eatough, Director at LCP UK, part of M Core and Asset Manager of The Centre, Livingston, said: “This is a really exciting time for us at The Centre, Livingston as we welcome 12 new retailers to our existing, wide mix of great places to shop and dine out, and create over 100 new jobs for the local area.

“The new openings allow us to strengthen our commitment to revitalising our offering at the shopping centre and provide something for everyone who visits us.

“We will continue to add even more new global brands to our portfolio to ensure we remain firmly on the Scottish map as the number one shopping centre to visit, with further announcements coming soon.”

Coming Soon: Livingston Designer Outlet announces exciting new food hall deli and tasting bar

Livingston Designer Outlet, Scotland’s largest designer outlet, is thrilled to announce that bold new culinary destination, Hamilton & Brown, will be arriving at the centre this autumn.  Set to tantalise the tastebuds of West Lothian, the new delicatessen and tasting bar will bring an eclectic range of Scotland’s finest producers to residents and visitors alike.

Born from the rich heritage of David Stein Butchers and inspired by a legacy of over 40 years in premium Scottish meat and dining, Hamilton & Brown will offer an elevated gastronomic experience.

From hand-selected artisan cheeses to locally sourced wines and rare single malts, every element will be curated with precision and passion. Guests will be able to dine-in at a stunning tasting counter designed to bring people closer to the craft, whether indulging in a perfectly paired cheese and wine board, or a dram of whisky with expertly carved meats.

For the meat connoisseur, a dedicated rotisserie and deli-style counter will serve succulent roasted chicken, slow-cooked pork, and gourmet cuts.  All will be prepared with the same care and expertise that has defined David Stein’s award-winning reputation for decades, promising depth, flavour, and perfection.

For those with a sweet tooth, the dessert counter is a showstopper overflowing with decadent patisserie creations, elegant tarts, rich cakes, and irresistible handmade treats.  This is not just another food hall it’s a destination!

The arrival of Hamilton & Brown follows the success of Cafebar 1962, also part of the David Stein group, which opened at the centre last summer and has proven to be a hit with visitors seeking a leisurely lunch or delicious dinner or quality cocktails and entertainment.

David Stein, founder of Hamilton & Brown, said: “With the success of our hospitality ventures, including five unique restaurant experiences across Scotland and the North of England, launching at Livingston Designer Outlet was a natural next step.

“This is a tribute to our roots in West Lothian, but also a bold step into the future of Scottish food culture.”

Michelle Whitelaw, Centre Director at Livingston Designer Outlet commented: “We are delighted to be welcoming another David Stein opening to Livingston Designer Outlet.  Hamilton & Brown will bring a truly exciting new gastronomic offering to our visitors. 

“It is also a wonderful opportunity to support Scottish produce, which we know is important to the local community.  We look forward to seeing the doors open and to enjoying a taste of Hamilton & Brown for ourselves!”

For all the information on Livingston Designer Outlet, please visit the website here: 

https://livingston-designer-outlet.co.uk/

Primark celebrates 50 years in Scotland with a ‘wee nod’ to loyal Scots

  • ‘Preemark’ signs and window displays appear overnight in all 21 of the retailer’s stores across Scotland. 
  • Scottish shoppers can enjoy the rebrand from today until Sunday 24th August as the retailer marks 50 years on the Scottish high street this summer. 
  • The celebrations were inspired by Primark’s viral Instagram post earlier this year, designed to settle the debate once and for all on how to pronounce its iconic name. 

Scottish shoppers will hardly believe it when they see it today as Primark finally relents on one of its biggest brand debates after 50 years.  

To mark 50 years of Primark on Scotland’s high streets in style with both customers and colleagues, the retailer is tipping its hat to celebrate with a ‘Preemark’ rebrand, which has appeared in all 21 of its Scottish stores overnight.  

The full ‘Preemark’ store takeovers are now live in Hamilton, Edinburgh Princes Street and Glasgow’s Argyle Street, alongside fun ‘Preemark’ themed window activations in its remaining 18 Scottish stores up and down the country.  

Scots can enjoy the retailer’s significant milestone in every store until Sunday 24th August. The celebrations are a ‘wee nod’ to how most Scots pronounce the popular brand name as ‘Pr-EE-mark’.  

This comes after the retailer tried to settle the debate about how to pronounce its brand in an Instagram post that went viral earlier this year. The ongoing speculation ranges from how most people know it, ‘Pr-EYE-mark’, to ‘Pr-AYE-mark’ and the favoured Scottish ‘Pr-EE-mark’.  

Gavin O’Reilly, Area Manager for Primark Scotland West and Cumbria, who currently oversees Primark’s first store in Hamilton, Scotland, said: “Our loyal Scottish shoppers have been instrumental to our success over the last 50 years, so we thought it was high time we acknowledged it in true Primark style.

“It’s a proud moment for all our stores to be celebrating our milestone together with a fun ‘Preemark’ nod, which is simply what we know our Scottish shoppers and colleagues are calling us every day anyway!”  

‘Pree-marking’ half a century in Scotland 

Today, Primark has 21 stores covering over 755,000 sq. ft of retail space across Scotland’s much-loved towns, city centres and retail parks, and employs over 2,637 retail colleagues nationally.  

From day one, Primark was a hit with Scottish shoppers who initially queued up for its “unbeatable” opening offers in its first store in Hamilton, during the summer of 1975, including women’s tweed coats for £9.50, printed crepe blouses for 99p and briefs for 25p.

Across menswear, V-neck Shetland sweaters were sold for £2.85, poly-cotton shirts for 99p and socks for 23p. Children’s clothing highlights included slacks for 99p, ‘car coats’ for £1.99 and pinafore dresses for £1.65. 

Over the years, some of its most popular products in Scotland include velour tracksuits – popular in the early 2000s – as well as a gold sequin dress and Saltire beach towels. Made exclusively for Scottish shoppers, the retailer has produced a line of Scottish pyjamas, Edinburgh-themed t-shirts from £3.00 and more recently its Scotland Euros t-shirts. 

From its first and smallest store in Hamilton at just 9,300 sq. ft to the largest store on Edinburgh Princes Street, covering 73,900 sq. ft with stunning views of Edinburgh Castle, Primark has continued to grow in size and scale. Its in-store experience has evolved to now feature beauty studios, nail salons and a wide choice of destination cafes – including its popular evolving cafés in Edinburgh and Braehead. 

Over the past three years, Primark has invested over £20 million in its stores which includes significant upgrades to stores in Clydebank, Hamilton, Stirling and Irvine so far this year. It has also introduced self-service checkouts and its popular Click & Collect service to all stores in Scotland.

Now every Primark shopper can access the full range, ordering online and collecting more easily and conveniently from their local store in just two days. Looking ahead, the retailer has confirmed it plans to invest a further £9 million in its Scottish stores over the next two years as it reaffirms its commitment to Scottish retail. 

Kari Rodgers, UK Retail Director at Primark, said: “The high streets and fashions have changed a lot over five decades in Scotland, and Primark has been there every step of the way.

“As we’ve evolved to meet this change in demand, our commitment to offering people great quality clothing at affordable prices is stronger than ever. There is such pride in our stores in Scotland and our customers feel it too, so it’s fantastic to be celebrating such an important milestone together.

“Over the last three years we’ve invested more than £20 million in our stores across Scotland and we’ve a further £9 million planned over the next two years to improve our stores and support the future of Scottish retail.” 

Across the UK, Primark operates 197 stores, including 21 in Scotland, and employs 30,000 colleagues. Meanwhile, 2.3 million people every week cite Primark as the main reason for visiting their local high street, and for every £10 spent in a Primark, shoppers spend an additional £3.60 which produces a positive economic ripple effect for local high streets*. 

Picture – Chris Watt Photography 07887554193 info@chriswatt.com www.chriswatt.com Preemark Edinburgh

Timeline of Primark’s stores in Scotland 

  1. August 1975 – Hamilton, 29 Quarry Street, ML3 7AW 
  2. June 1995 – Motherwell, 20-26 Brandon Place South, ML1 1RB 
  3. September 1999 – Clydebank, Unit 2, 117 Sylvania Way, G81 2RR 
  4. March 2001 – Stirling, Goosecroft Road, FK8 2EA 
  5. April 2001 – Braehead, Unit 1a, Braehead Shopping Centre, G51 4BS 
  6. May 2001 – Aberdeen, 152 Union Street, AB11 6BH 
  7. June 2001 – Dundee, 40 High Street, DD1 1TU 
  8. April 2002 – Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3ER 
  9. April 2003 – East Kilbride, Unit 4, Plaza Shopping Centre, G74 1LW 
  10. June 2006 – Ayr, Unit 8, Taran Walk, Kyle Street, KA7 1TU 
  11. September 2006 – Argyle Street, Glasgow, G2 8AG 
  12. October 2006 – Park Head, Glasgow, G31 4EB 
  13. October 2006 – Inverness, 16-18 Bridge Street, IV1 1HG 
  14. November 2006 – Greenock, Oak Mall Shopping Centre, PA15 1JW 
  15. December 2006 – Dunfermline, 127-137 High Street, KY12 7DR 
  16. March 2007 – Irvine, Unit 46, Rivergate Centre, KA12 8EH 
  17. November 2010 – Perth, 134-148 High Street, PH1 5UH 
  18. December 2011 – Livingston, The Centre, EH54 6HR 
  19. December 2011 – Edinburgh Princes Street, The Centre, EH54 6HR 
  20. December 2015 – Fort Kinnaird, The Centre, EH54 6HR 
  21. December 2024 – Glasgow Fort, G34 9DL 

Oasis fans ‘Roll With It’ at Fort Kinnaird with free Oasis tribute

Oasis fans flocked to Fort Kinnaird last weekend to enjoy a free live performance by popular tribute band ‘Oasus’.

The event allowed fans who missed out on tickets to the Murrayfield shows to still join in the fun and the gig saw the group perform classics such as Wonderwall, Live Forever, and Don’t Look Back in Anger

Oasis fans of all ages turned up for the tribute, including families and little ones proudly sporting iconic bucket hats

Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “There’s so much excitement around the Oasis reunion gigs at Murrayfield, so it was only right that we brought a bit of that buzz to Fort Kinnaird too.

“Oasus are a brilliant tribute act, and their free show was the perfect chance for Oasis fans of all ages to get involved in the action. It was a great way to spend a Sunday – with attendees grabbing a bite, enjoying the music, and making a proper day of it with friends and family.”  

The event was just one of the free events that took place at Fort Kinnaird this summer, designed to offer visitors of all ages memorable, free experiences. The centre also hosted character visits inspired by popular blockbuster films including Wicked and Lilo & Stich.

Oasis fans who missed out on tickets can ‘Roll With It’ to Fort Kinnaird

Fans who missed out on tickets to see Oasis at Murrayfield this summer can still enjoy the iconic anthems at Fort Kinnaird on Sunday 10th August, thanks to a free live performance by popular tribute band ‘Oasus’.

Oasus is set to bring the classic Wonderwall, Live Forever and Don’t Look Back in Anger anthems to the centre for the many fans who tried and failed to get tickets to the Scottish leg of the tour, coming to Murrayfield on Friday 8th August, Saturday 9th August and Tuesday 12th August.

This two-hour live gig will take over Fort Kinnaird’s Summer Stage near Pizza Hut, promising all the swagger, sound and 90s nostalgia of the real deal – minus the ticket fees and stadium crowds. Whether you’re a die-hard Gallagher fan or just fancy a fun Sunday with the family, it’s a brilliant way to soak up the buzz set to sweep the city. 

Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “There’s so much excitement around the Oasis reunion gigs at Murrayfield, so it’s only right that we bring a bit of that buzz to Fort Kinnaird too.

“Oasus are a brilliant tribute act and their free show is the perfect chance for Oasis fans of all ages to get involved in the action. It’s a great way to spend a Sunday – grab a bite, enjoy the music and make a proper day of it with friends or family. Definitely Maybe also pick up an iconic bucket hat while you’re here too!”

The event is just one of the free events running at Fort Kinnaird this summer, designed to offer visitors of all ages memorable, free experiences.

This includes character visits between 11am – 4pm from Aloha Alien on Sunday 27th July, and a Wicked Duo on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd of August.

With more than 70 shops, a seven-screen ODEON cinema, and dining favourites including Wagamama, TGI Fridays and Nando’s, there’s something for everyone – whether you’re after a day of retail therapy, tasty food, or dancing to your favourite 90s bangers.

The centre is easy to reach too, just off the A1 with 2,600 free parking spaces and good public transport links.

For more details and to plan your day at Fort Kinnaird, please visit: 

https://www.fortkinnaird.com/event/lights-camera-summer

Two new stores set to open at The Centre, Livingston

The Centre, Livingston, which is one of the largest shopping centres in the country has unveiled plans to open a new jewellery store, F.Hinds and a 380-seater Marble Buffet restaurant, which will be their first site in a Scottish mall, creating a total of 41 new jobs for the local area.

F.Hinds is a sixth generation, family-run jewellers which opened its first store in London in 1856 and now has 118 stores across the UK, the store will offer a wide range of products for every age, taste and occasion, as well as popular services including jewellery and watch repairs.

The 1,395 sq. ft. store, which will be located next to Ryman, is due to open in August, bringing six new jobs to the shopping centre.

The 15,770 sq. ft. contemporary designed Marble Buffet restaurant, which will create 35 new jobs, will be located above Nando’s on Almondvale Boulevard, and is expected to open in May 2026.

It will feature live cooking stations with skilled chefs creating a wide selection of dishes from around the world including Asian, Indian and European.

The announcement follows the arrival of various new retailers to the shopping centre over the past 18 months, including the first Cinnabon in Scotland, Las Iguanas, wellbeing store Rituals, Danish lifestyle and homeware brand Sostrene Grene, Pop Specs, The Designer Rooms and a 90-seater Starbucks in February.

The new restaurant will complement the existing diverse mix of over 150 stores and eateries at The Centre, Livingston, which includes Flannels, H&M, River Island, M&S, Hotel Chocolat, wagamama and Five Guys, spanning over 1 million sq. ft., with over 3,000 parking spaces.

In addition to welcoming new retailers, the owners, LCP, part of M Core, one of Europe’s leading, privately owned commercial property development and management companies, also recently announced plans to expand into the leisure sector.

The UK’s leading family entertainment provider, Hollywood Bowl, is set to open a 26,000 sq. ft. venue next year featuring 22 cutting-edge bowling lanes, an arcade and a bar and diner, giving shoppers the opportunity to ‘shop, eat and play’ when they visit.

Rakesh Joshi, Director at LCP, part of M Core, said: “We are delighted to welcome another fantastic restaurant, Marble Buffet, to our wide mix of existing places to dine out at The Centre, Livingston and also another leading high-street jewellery brand, F.Hinds.

“We are dedicated to ensuring that all of our new openings continue to keep the shopping centre firmly on the Scottish map as the number one destination to visit and enjoy a great day out with family and friends.”

Simon Eatough, Director at LCP, part of M Core and Asset Manager of The Centre Livingston, said: “We are really looking forward to the opening of the jewellery store, F.Hinds and Marble Buffet’s first site in a shopping centre early next year and delighted they will be creating 41 new jobs in West Lothian.

“The new restaurant will give our visitors even more choice when it comes to enjoying quality time dining out.

“We will continue to strengthen the existing diverse range of eateries and shops at The Centre, Livingston, with even more exciting announcements coming soon.”

Jeremy Hinds, Retail Director at F.Hinds, said: “We’re thrilled to be opening a new F.Hinds store at The Centre, Livingston, a prime destination that aligns with our growth plans in Scotland.

“This new location gives us the opportunity to bring our extensive range of quality jewellery and exceptional customer service to even more people. We look forward to becoming part of the local community and supporting jobs in the area as we continue to expand our national presence.”

A spokesperson for Marble Buffet spokesperson, said: “This is a really exciting time for us at Marble Buffet as we countdown to the launch of our first restaurant in a shopping centre.

“The Centre, Livingston is the perfect location for us and we are really looking forward to welcoming customers locally, and from afar, who want to savour the taste of lots of different international cuisines, all under one roof, where there’s something to suit all tastes.”

Additional new openings at The Centre, Livingston over the past 18 months, include BeLeaf Juice Bar, Beauty’s Inn, Buzart, Afro Crest, Loris Parfum, The Watch Lab, Barclays Bank and Elite Smile Dental Clinic.