Former Jenners chief backs luxury store at new 'tourist village'

THE former owner of Jenners has announced plans to establish a luxury retail store at a proposed "tourist village" on the outskirts of the city.

Andrew Douglas Miller, who was director and shareholder of the flagship Princes Street store for 14 years, has backed proposals for the Fordel View resort, which aims to act as a gateway between the Capital and the Borders.

Alongside the store, which is expected to offer luxury clothing, along with Scottish produce, will be a 75-bedroom hotel, a gourmet restaurant and a tree-lined plaza.

The site at Fordel View sits alongside a proposed new roadside service station on the A68 Dalkeith Bypass, less than five minutes from the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass.

Plans for the project, which will include a public consultation, are to be unveiled next month by Oakridge Property, which says the scheme will bring millions of pounds in investment and 150 new jobs to the region.

The new resort will be in the same vein as the Loch Lomond Shores development and House of Bruar by the A9, both of which have been major tourist magnets in recent years.

Mr Douglas Miller said: "I have been working on this vision for some time but it has taken us until now to find what we believe to be the perfect location for this exciting new retail concept.

"I feel I can bring the appropriate retail expertise to this scheme, particularly in understanding the tourist market, having previously set up operations at Loch Lomond Shores and our successful stores at Glasgow and Edinburgh airports.

"This centre will be on the main tourist route to the Borders so this is a great opportunity to provide a gateway.

"Because Midlothian doesn't have as many tourist attractions as some of the surrounding areas, this is a great opportunity to bring people to the area.

"The proposed site is on an elevated position and has these incredible views looking north over Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth. On a clear day you can even see the southern west Highlands.

"It's our aim to establish somewhere where high-quality, good-value products will be available in an interesting and unique retail environment."

Although proposals for the site are still in the planning stage, Mr Douglas Miller added that several luxury hotel operators have expressed an interest.

Malcolm Cunningham for Dalkeith-based Oakridge Property, added: "We are delighted to have attracted exactly the right name to help create a gateway for Midlothian. Tourism and economic development are at the forefront of our proposals – 15 million investment bringing 150 new jobs for local people in Midlothian."