Heritage body backs Princes Street hotel

PLANS to turn the upper floors of the Topshop on Princes Street into a hotel have won support "in principle" from Historic Scotland.

The heritage watchdog said it had held preliminary discussions with Arcadia Group about its plans and supported the new use for floors two to five, revealed in yesterday's News.

A spokeswoman for Historic Scotland said: "Number 30 Princes Street is a major Edwardian department store from the golden age of shopping on Princes Street.

"Great effort went into the decoration and carved detailing by the best sculptors of the day.

"We have had preliminary discussions about the conversion to a hotel and are content in principle to support the new use and will continue to be involved as part of the application process."