John Gibson: Harvey’s pop up with a makeover

Bit of a hustle on at Harvey Nicks. The restaurant, brasserie and bar will close most of January for a major refurb. We shouldn’t be surprised.

“It’s the store’s tenth anniversary next August, so you could count this part of our celebrations,” says general manager Gordon Drummond.

I found him on a high. While he has reservations about the trams, he is chuffed to learn that there’ll be a stop right outside his door in St Andrew Square. “I still support the project, I only hope I’m still alive when they start running.”

Meantime, Harvey Nicks has “discreetly” expanded. Adds Mr Drummond, right, who has been at the helm virtually from the start: “We’ve this month opened a pop-up shop till the end of December. Across the road in Multrees Walk in what used to be AKA Women and Daks.

“Really it’s an extension at ground level of our food hall. Half the size but an ideal unit for us at this time.”

Mr D’s delight couldn’t be contained as he viewed from the fourth floor his favourite Edinburgh vision, the square itself.

“If we could just replicate what we have here at the other end of George Street in Charlotte Square, life to my eyes would be grand.”

He can’t have everything. Scotland’s retailers were down one per cent in August, significantly Edinburgh sales were up three-and-a-half per cent and Harvey Nicks out-performed most of the competition.

So it’s hip-hip for Harveys. Hands on your wallet.

Cold Cameron

Dreadful times. Close to Dickensian for some unfortunate souls.

Don’t turn to Soft-Touch Cameron for help or practical advice about our fuel bills this winter.

Get out there and fend or yourselves, he’s telling us.

Comes to the crunch and Dithering Dave and the sweet-talking Energy Secretary Chris Huhne are no damn good for us at all.