Go-ahead for Primark after £340k deal struck

BUDGET retailer Primark has agreed to pay £340,000 towards an upgrade of Rose Street as part of the deal that will see it open a flagship store in the Capital.

Councillors have approved the Irish firm's plans for the former Littlewoods and Marks & Spencer store on Princes Street, and said the scheme will be the most exciting retail development on the historic street "in a generation".

The decision to grant planning consent came after Primark chiefs agreed to contribute to a major upgrade outside the proposed rear entrance of the new store, on Rose Street.

Council officials will now work with the retailer to draw up plans for the upgrade, with work likely to include pavement improvements and new street furniture, such as benches, litter bins and street lights.

Primark has also agreed to pay 150,000 towards the tram project, a demand previously revealed by the Evening News.

• Should Primark be forced to pay 340,000 to upgrade Rose Street?

Councillor Eric Milligan, a member of the planning committee, said: "This is possibly the most exciting news for Princes Street for a generation.

"I remember the excitement of Harvey Nichols coming to Edinburgh, and everyone thought that there would be a flood of new retailers coming to Edinburgh. Sadly that hasn't happened but here we are now with Primark with a shop that will attract more shoppers on to Princes Street, so it is exciting news."

The new 75,000sq ft store will include huge windows on the upper floors that open up views across Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street Gardens to the public for the first time.

It was confirmed today that the store, which Primark last said would be completed by next August, is now facing a race against time to even be ready for the 2011 festive season.

Company bosses were not willing to give an exact estimate of when the new store would open but said it would be "winter 2011". Work is not expected to get under way until the end of next month in order to allow the Festival season and the visit of the Pope to pass before erecting scaffolding.

A spokesman for Primark said: "We are delighted our plans for a store on Princes Street have been approved.

"There is great demand for a Primark store in Edinburgh and we expect this decision to approve our flagship store in the heart of the Capital will be welcomed by shoppers and retailers alike."

He added: "Edinburgh is a fantastic city and we have worked closely with planners and heritage groups to ensure our plans will create a building fit for such a special location." Council chiefs are planning a 5 million pavement upgrade on Rose Street once tram work is completed and is raising money from developers to fund it, with Primark among the first to pay.

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