Primark postpones opening at former city centre M&S site

Published on Thursday 29 October 2009 09:31

FANS of budget fashion chain Primark will have to keep waiting for its arrival in Princes Street.

The company had been expected to open at the former Marks & Spencer ladieswear store by the end of the year, but says it has now put back the opening date until next year.

The firm said it had changed its plans for the site at 91 Princes Street and would need to submit a new planning application.

A spokesman said: "We can confirm that the opening of the new store on Princes Street has definitely been put back until 2010.

"The original plan had been to open up in Princes Street this month, but the store will be a lot bigger than originally envisaged, at some 80,000 sq ft, compared with 60,000 sq ft, making it comparable to our major stores in Bristol and Liverpool, which are some of the biggest in Britain."

Edinburgh is one of the few major cities in the UK without a Primark store, with devotees travelling to Dunfermline and Glasgow to root through its low-price fashion ranges.

The latest news is a setback for fans of the chain, which has been the subject of online petitions on social networking sites such as Bebo and Facebook calling for it to open an outlet in the Capital.

At present, Edinburgh does not even appear on the map of "future stores" on the company's website.

The chain has been trying to find a store in Princes Street since 2006.

Its initial attempt to secure the 91 Princes Street site was thwarted when Top Shop owner Philip Green bought it, but he dropped plans to move to the site, deciding instead to refurbish its existing store at 30 Princes Street.

In December 2008, Primark pledged to be open in time for Christmas this year.

A spokesman for Edinburgh's Chamber of Commerce said: "Primark would certainly be a very welcome brand to see in Princes Street and I think it's encouraging that they're talking about making a larger commitment than they had originally intended.

"It's a shame that they will not be in place in time for Christmas.

"However, given the market that Primark covers, they will possibly benefit from being around in the early part of the year when sales are coming and we hope that they will get the matter resolved as quickly as possible."

Despite the extended wait for Primark to open, shoppers will be boosted by the news that the Capital's first Urban Outfitters store is due to open within weeks.

Shoe store Daniel Footwear and jewellery chain Pandora are also expected to open in Multrees Walk.