Maki & Ramen set to open at new St James Quarter retail hub

A popular Japanese noodle and sushi bar has become the latest eaterie to clinch a site at the landmark new St James Quarter retail centre in the heart of Edinburgh.

The new St James Quarter is due to open shortly after Easter next year

Maki & Ramen, which already has four bases in the Scottish capital, is due to set up home in the new shopping centre when it opens in 2021.

The 1.7 million square-foot development will be home to a five-screen cinema, a bowling and gaming business, two hotels and a range of luxury apartments, as well as a wide selection of retail and catering premises.

A host of big-name clothing brands will be on sale, with more than 80 shops for members of the public to browse through.

The new multi-storey St James Quarter will be home to a five-screen cinema, two hotels and luxury apartments, as well as a wide selection of retail premises

These include Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Russell & Bromley and Hackett.

Other stores include ones that already have branches in Edinburgh, such as H&M, Zara, Next, New Look and JD Sports.

Mango, Pull & Bear, Kurt Geiger, Dune London, Joe Browns, Sunglass Hut, Breitling and Omega Boutique, Pandora, Goldsmiths, Perfume shop and Rituals have also all been confirmed.

Health and beauty stores include Boots, Superdrug and the Body Shop, while the existing John Lewis store at the site will be expanded store.

Other retailers include the likes of mobile phone store Three and O2, Lego Store and Miele, as well as a Bank of Scotland.

Maki & Ramen joins other food outlets, including takeaway and sit-in premises.

Scottish brand Bonnie & Wild is opening a large artisinal food hall on the fourth floor of the new building in a “first of its kind” contract.

It will consist of restaurant operators alongside fresh and packaged food and drink from a variety of butchers, fishmongers, grocers, cheesemongers, chocolatiers and bakeries, and three unique bar concepts.

Other brands include Bross Bagels, Salerno Pizza, the Alchemist, Five Guys, Sushi Samba and Yo! Sushi.

The multi-storey retail hub, which replaces the former St James Centre in Edinburgh’s east end, has been under development for almost five years.

It was originally set to open at the end of this year but has been delayed until shortly after next Easter.

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