New York cosmetics firm Kiehl’s to move into revamped Assembly Rooms

FAMOUS New York cosmetics giant Kiehl’s is to open its biggest store in Europe in Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms when it reopens after a £10 million revamp next month.

The firm, which doesn’t have a stand-alone store in Scotland at the moment, will join Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurant in the new-look Georgian building, which will open at the end of July.

The Kiehl’s store will be the biggest to be opened in Europe by the firm, which dates back to 1851 when the original store opened in New York’s East Village.

Kieh’s, which already has a concession in nearby Jenners, will be in one of two retail units in the Assembly Rooms, with another deal said to be in the final stages of negotiations.

Both shops will have entrances on George Street while Jamie Oliver’s eaterie will front onto Rose Street.

Victoria Campbell, general manager of Kiehl’s UK, said: “We were really keen to have a presence in Scotland and it’s appropriate that our largest European store will be in one of Europe’s most famous capitals.

“Not only is George Street a magnificent location and Assembly Rooms Edinburgh a landmark building, we are also joining an impressive list of stylish retailers that are a great fit with our ethos of excellence and quality.”

Richard Lewis, the council’s culture leader, said: “George Street is already one of the Capital’s prime retail destinations and the refurbished Assembly Rooms will entice even more people to visit, shop and spend time in the area.”