The shops thread (was: Empty Shops on Porty High St)

[bearcub]

Lol, you're a charmer.

[Puerto bella]

but i'm not anon.

[wangi]

[wangi]

[wangi]

Lidl are looking to open at the old Land Rover garage at the bottom of Portobello Road...

http://www.lidlcraigentinny.co.uk/

[Carrie-On-Regardless]

Hi

Does anyone know what will be moving into the soon to be vacant Blockbuster shop?

Just curious, thanks

Carrie

[lg1726]

I heard that Morrison had bought 49 of the Blockbusters to turn into their version of Sainsbury's local, but no idea if this one is included - they say that the deal will include three in Scotland.

[geofflynn]

Please also have your say on the LIDL news on Ask Porty -->

[fresian]

DC won't know which way to turn, although I reckon PAL has a better ring to it than PASL.

[thecrawfords]

Isnt the proposed Lidl site officially in Craigentinny? DC et al protesting to Lidl would be getting involved in a "cross border" issue.

[minnie1957]

I hope we get the Lidl store, about time we had an affordable shopping experience within walking distance.

[Sceptic]

Between Scotmid, Sainsburys and Lidl, there will be at last just a little competition.

[Mark Cameron]

I have concerns about traffic congestion at an already extremelly busy junction at peak times. I wonder if they would (a) consider no customer parking onsite or (b) limit customer parking to non-peak times. Although there are only 48 parking places that won't stop more cars entering the tight car park than can be coped with and others queuing up behind them to get in thus stopping the normal flow of the traffic on Inchview.

[lg1726]

I would imagine that Lidl will be required to cover the issue of traffic congestion, traffic access and parking as part of their planning application. If they are required to take steps to mitigate against any traffic related problems as a consequence of their proposal, then that could well improve the situation, something unlikely to happen without such motivation. I suspect that never mind who takes over that site, the traffic situation will have to be addressed and it maybe that is going to be the only way that any changes are going to be made - the developer has to pay the costs to make the necessary changes!!!

[fresian]

That depends if a traffic impact analysis costs more than a broon envelope

[Sylvia]

Let's start a little survey:

What kind of retailers are missing on Portobello High Street?

What's your personal wish list???

1.
2.
3.

[Sceptic]

There are plenty of retailers in Portobello, it's just that there is no competition.
Another Quality Butcher
Another Quality Greengrocer
Another Quality Fishmonger.
It's not that the present incumbents are not good, they are, it's just they have a virtual monopoly, unless you go to a Supermarket.

[bearcub]

Just like Sainsburys, I've nothing against Lidl "setting up shop", although don't think we'll see any PCA*** action groups this time with it officially being in Craigentinny.

The site is already starting to look a bit rundown, and it's not hard to see it getting a lot worse if left empty for much longer. We've already got an eyesore as a entry point to Portobello on the other side of the road, don't really want one on the other side.

[bearcub]

On the Butternut Squash news, I think it's a good move for them and they'll do well in Bath Street (more central, bigger premises) as well as being good replacements for Dragons Way. The only pity is that it will leave another empty unit at their old premises.

[wangi]

[fresian]

You mean DC didn't object to the overprovision of restaurants on Brighton Place??

[lg1726]

There were only 4 "comments" lodged on this apparently and none of the usual names included!!

[tom nimmo]

I think the arrival of Lidl is fair enough and a good use of the site however, once Sainsburys is up and running there will be 3 supermarkets practically within sight of each other. How this can fail to have a negative impact on the High Street is beyond me and I hope Portobello doesn't end up with even more empty shops as a result. I probably would not use the new Lidl as trying to turn right out of the car park will be a bit risky and turning left to join the bypass will require the co-operation of motorists waiting at the lights so, if I feel the urge to enjoy the Lidl experience, I will nip up to Craigmillar. From where I live in Duddingston it's probably quicker to get to anyway.

[wangi]

Westy is giving up supermarkets for 28 days, and he's blogging about it. Westy's from the Portobello area.
http://westywrites.wordpress.com/

[jb5370]

Woodwares closing end of April apparently. Not a huge amount of stock left already.

[wangi]

[Makaveli]

La Favorita have a sign up today that they are coming soon to Porty.

Believe it will be open in June.

[wangi]

[bearcub]

I see that the builders are in Woodwares today starting the renovations for the change to Sainsburys, and La Favorita have been doing renovations for the last week or so too.

There's a couple of interesting Georgian Arch windows that have been uncovered and are now visible at the back of Woodwares/Sainsburys. I never knew they were there before, so will be interesting to see if Sainsburys cover them again, or if they remain visible as part of the new layout.

[Mark Cameron]

Looks like the shop beside The Skylark (old Polish Deli) is to open soon as somekind of home hardware outlet. Yay!

[jb5370]

I was hoping it was a hardware store too - surely a place for one on the High Street? But the sign says homeware and gifts so not too hopeful....

[gazza]

Saturday 18 May is opening day for Beauty by Lime.

Situated in front of Earthy (19 Windsor Place) the shop will offer holistic and beauty therapy. Using local products that are free from petrochemicals,parabens, animal extracts or derivatives such as lanolin or collagen. All of the facial products afre made in Edinburgh with premium natural ingredients.

Free taster sessions this Saturday starting at 11am.

[jb5370]

I take it Victor Hugo has closed? Supposed to be closed for a week about a month ago for essential maintenance but it hasn't reopened and I see the VH signs are down.

[Gillmck]

Victor Hugo gone ... now newly expanded Favers Candy!

[Gillmck]

Interesting article from the Guardian:

How independent retailers are battling to save Britain's high streets
Around the country small retailers are joining forces to win your custom and bring our town centres back to life

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2013/ju ... gh-streets