The Pitt officially reopened its doors on the Granton Promenade, welcoming over 2,000 visitors in its first weekend.
Edinburgh’s newest community, enterprise and social hub, The Pitt is more than twice the size of its previous location on Pitt Street.
Featuring a permanent global street food market, retail units, a large and heated indoor seating plaza, family and community spaces, two permanent saunas from Soul Water Sauna and a 700 capacity events space all from a spectacular location on the Firth of Forth.
Hal Prescott, Chief Executive of the Granton Project which owns and operates The Pitt said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be open, and despite the storm attempting to throw a spanner in the works we’ve had thousands of people through the doors with initial feedback being fantastic.
“But this is very much the beginning of the journey for us, The Pitt isn’t a static space it will continue evolve with the community we’re part of and the community we build.
“We have so much more to come in the new year, so watch this space.”
Resident foodies will be:
Choola: Nepalese street food with a Scottish twist Fire Bowl: East Asian style street food Buffalo Truck: Delicious fried chicken with all the added delights Social Bite Does dessert: amazing sweet treats and lots of custard Lazeez: Authentic Lebanese delights (fully halal) and shish Pulp Friction: Seasonal fresh fruit infused drinks, from mulled sangrias to frozen margaritas Barney’s and Newbarns: supplying the best locally brewed beers Serving up Williams and Johnson coffee, savoury and sweets will be Long Shot Coffee.
The Pitt also has two saunas from Soul Water Sauna, a weekly local produce market from Granton Community Garden, community and family areas, a co-working space and one of the best views in Edinburgh across the Firth of Forth.
The Pitt, Edinburgh’s beloved street food haven. is gearing up for a mighty comeback in its new Granton location.
Officially opening on Friday 6 December 2024, the all new Pitt will be a hub for local community and enterprise. Retail and market units as well as spaces dedicated to community groups and families now sit alongside the permanent street food market. Local groups such as Granton Youth, Granton Community Garden and Granton Castle Walled Garden are all already part of the new partnership approach.
This exciting new £500,000+ venture, is led by not-for-profit community interest company Granton Project CIC, and promises to bring economic opportunity to the area. Funding from Firstport and Foundation Scotland enabled the transformation of the 15,000 sq ft space, as well as a successful crowdfunding campaign further supporting the development.
Located on West Shore Road, the all new Pitt occupies a formerly empty warehouse, offering unobstructed views from the Granton promenade over the Firth of Forth. The venue which is more than twice the size of its previous location will initially be open Thursday to Sunday from 8am-10pm.
Hal Prescott, Chief Executive of The Pitt said “The Pitt, Granton has been two years in the making so I could not be more delighted to be announcing our official opening date.
“The new Pitt has all the core ingredients from the original Pitt but is supercharged with a significant event space, family areas, a coworking space, two permanent saunas and of course this fantastic location on the Granton prom.
“We’re a very small team working to make a big difference to north Edinburgh and the support we’ve had financially and as advisors from Firstport and Foundation Scotland has been invaluable to us, The Pitt simply wouldn’t be reopening without them.”
Ali Kennedy, Social Investment Executive with Foundation Scotland, said “This project will have a massive impact on the local surrounding communities, and the ambition of Hal and the Granton Project CIC team is to be commended.
“We’re very impressed by all the activity and collaborations emerging to date, and are confident that our investment will support even more impact, more local aspiration, and the creation of even more pathways into the hospitality sector.
“Our blend of grant and loan investment offers flexibility for innovative projects like this, and we know that the team will deliver a unique and thriving community project for Granton and beyond.”
Daisy Ford-Downes, Head of Group Investment Programmes at Firstport, said: “Hal and his team have been working tirelessly to get to this point, so we are delighted that The Pitt is finally ready to open its doors to customers.
“The Catalyst Fund, with its patient and flexible repayment model, was designed to support projects just like this- innovative, ambitious, collaborative, and with the potential to make a positive impact in the community.
“The Pitt in Granton, with a brand new venue, amazing trader line up and strong partnerships, is well placed to become not just a foodie’s destination, but also a thriving hub for enterprise development and community action.”
Andrew Barnett from Barney’s said: “We’ve been a trading partner with The Pitt since its original opening in December 2015, and always found it a great place to introduce people to new beers and collaborate with other food and drink producers.
“We at Barney’s Beer are all excited to re-start that trading relationship and be part of the new bigger, better Pitt at the Granton shore.”
The Pitt will feature a mix of familiar faces from the old Pitt Street location, such as Buffalo Truck and Barney’s Beer, alongside exciting new traders such as Pulp Friction, Choola and Fire Bowl. One notable addition is Social Bite, who will be the exclusive dessert provider.
Hal Prescott emphasized the market’s commitment to the local community and fostering entrepreneurship: “The Pitt Market will always be free to enter, and we are committed to making sure all ticketed events are affordable for all.
“The local community has welcomed us with open arms with many local organisations connecting, collaborating and supporting our development and opening – we look forward to more getting in touch and to the partnerships, businesses and ideas which develop from The Pitt.”
As part of the wider Granton Waterfront regeneration project, The Pitt will become a local hub fostering social cohesion and enterprise in North Edinburgh. The venue opening will mark a significant milestone in the area’s ongoing regeneration.
We are very excited to be organising another rubbish picking event at the Brick Beach ( this is the Beach across the road from Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden) next Friday 9 August between 3 and 5 PM.
We will have enough rubbish pickers for everyone and a picnic with some delicious food provided. Huge THANK YOU to R2 for supporting this event and enabling us to buy more rubbish pickers.
Work has begun on the construction of the Western Villages Active Travel Route which is on the boundary of Forth and Almond Wards.
The work is part of the wider regeneration of Granton Waterfront and will improve infrastructure along Marine Drive and West Shore Road between Pennywell Road Roundabout and Gypsy Brae.
Work will include a fully segregated cycle route, improved pedestrian facilities including new footways and pedestrian connections, landscaping improvements including street trees and rain gardens.
This construction is being supported by Sustrans Places for Everyone Programme and is being carried out by CCG (Scotland) Ltd.
Green Councillor for Forth Ward, Kayleigh O’Neill said: “I’m really pleased that these are improvements are on the way. This work will create a coherent active travel network for people in my ward and anyone who wants to travel through.
“It is so important that these improvements are made as we need safe, accessible and well-connected routes for people to walk, wheel and cycle in.”
“Earlier this year the Scottish Government announced the allocation of £20 million as part of its active travel funding. With Greens in the room this issue is being taken seriously and it’s amazing to see on the ground.”
The Council has approved a lease of the premises on West Shore Road to the charity, which supports the arts by bringing vacant buildings back to life, so they can provide affordable studio space. The Council’s also supporting the project by providing a year’s free rent.
The project will provide affordable shop space for local retail and hospitality businesses, animating the pedestrian promenade. It will also support the creative industries, the third sector, freelancers and micro-businesses, providing sought after high-quality studio space.
When developed the building’s grounds will greatly enhance the public realm and greenspace in the area and will support active travel to and through the site. Other activities planned are play-based recreation and cultural events and the project will also provide improved access to the Waterfront.
Depute leader, Cammy Day, said: We announced our ambitious £1.3bn plan to sustainably regenerate this area last year and it’s fantastic to see real progress is being made on the ground.
“Our plan is for Granton Waterfront to provide quality new sustainable development and a place where people can work, play, learn, enjoy culture and live in high-quality homes. The site on West Shore Road will become a draw for the local community as well as visitors to the area, providing jobs and a boost to the local economy as well as supporting so many groups like social enterprises, sports clubs, health and wellbeing services and other community organisations.
“We’ve worked with Edinburgh Palette across the city for a number of years and they’ll make a great addition to the area alongside Wasps. I look forward to supporting them in their new enterprise and seeing all their hard work come to life.”
Development Manager at Edinburgh Palette, Andrew Chainey, said: Edinburgh Palette is delighted and extremely grateful for the phenomenal support received from everyone at the City of Edinburgh Council. Our operational team and long-term contractors can’t wait to deliver on our new home at West Granton Shore.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by interest in the project at 20 West Shore Road from all corners of the community including the creative and craftmaking world. The possibilities are as breathtaking as the views of the Forth from West Granton Shore.”
The site located on West Shore Road will form part of a growing creative, cultural and arts cluster in Granton Waterfront.
This includes the National Museums Collection Centre; National Galleries of Scotland’s Granton Art Centre (along with The Art Works, NGS’ planned new facility); Edinburgh College’s Granton campus (including its art and design faculty and the Performing Arts Studio Scotland); as well as the new 600 sqm Granton Station enterprise hub.
Police are appealing for information after thieves broke into Edinburgh College Forthside building on West Shore Road, sometime between Wednesday 1 July and Wednesday 8 July.
Hand and desktop power tools valued between £30,000 and £40,000 were stolen from the College’s Construction Centre for Excellence.
Detective Inspector Kevin Tait said : ‘The building is a training facility for students to train in the professions of bricklaying roofing and joinery.
“Enquiries are currently ongoing into the break-in and we would ask anyone with anyone information to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting 962 of Wednesday 8 July’.
‘What it does, sadly, is highlight the risks faced by those who choose to ride stolen motorbikes’ – Chief Supt. Mark Williams
Police are appealing for information following a serious road traffic collision on West Shore Road last night. A fourteen year old boy is in a serious condition in hospital following the incident.
The incident occurred at around 11.20pm, when a BMW 1150cc motorcycle struck a wall. The rider, a 14-year-old boy, was thrown from the vehicle and subsequently landed on nearby rocks.
Police and emergency services attended and the Scottish Ambulance Service took the boy to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where his condition is described as ‘serious’.
The motorcycle is understood to have been stolen.
Officers investigating the incident are now appealing for any witnesses to come forward.
Chief Superintendent Mark Williams said: “This was a terrible incident that has left a local boy badly injured. Thankfully it wasn’t more serious as the consequences could have been fatal.
“What it does sadly, is highlight the risks faced by those who choose to ride stolen motorbikes and it demonstrates the impact this can have on both the individual, their families and the community.
“We are appealing for anyone with information regarding this incident to contact us immediately.
“In unqualified hands motorbikes are extremely dangerous and tackling the theft of motorbikes and vehicles will continue to be a focus for local officers.”
