Prime Highlights:
- Chick-fil-A plans its first restaurant in Scotland, bringing new jobs and a unique dining experience to Edinburgh.
- The restaurant design will respect the historic buildingwhile enhancing the area’s vibrancy.
Key Facts:
- The restaurant will have 131 seatsacross the ground and first floors, with a prep-kitchen in the basement.
- External and internal renovations include new signage, automatic doors, modern interiors, and accessible layoutsfor all customers.
Background:
US fast-food chain Chick-fil-A has submitted plans to open its first Scottish restaurant on Princes Street, Edinburgh. If approved by the City of Edinburgh Council, the restaurant will occupy the former River Island unit, which has been empty since September.
The proposed restaurant will feature 131 covers, with diners accommodated on both the ground and first floors. A prep-kitchen will be located in the basement, and a new central staircase will provide access to the first-floor dining area. Chick-fil-A says the design will respect the building’s historic character while making the area more lively.
The plans include new signage, automatic doors, and bronze-colored windows and tiling. Inside, the restaurant will have a modern and accessible layout with a variety of seating, including booths, banquettes, individual seats, and higher tables. There will also be enough space for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
The company added that the restaurant will create jobs, offer a unique dining experience, and support the local community, while preserving the building’s historic and commercial value and fitting in with nearby structures.
The City of Edinburgh Council’s planning department will now review the proposals before granting approval. No public comments have been recorded on the council’s online planning portal so far.
Chick-fil-A’s move to Edinburgh follows its expansion across the UK, including restaurants in Leeds and Northern Ireland, with plans to continue growing in the region.
