EDINBURGH PRIMARK UPDATE

Update Mar 2010

If you've been following this frustrating story with us over the last couple of years you won't be surprised to hear that the new Edinburgh Primark won't, after all, be opening 'early in the New Year'.  Y-awn!  Or anytime this year as it happens.

 
Last month we reported that  the public are now being invited to comment on the plans and make a contribution to how the new Princes Street store will look.

We had a quick poll in the IW office and concluded we don't especially care  what the store looks like - we just want it open!  So why should we bother checking out the plans?  Well, if Primark don't get the planning permission they would like, they'll only be able to use the 50,000 sq ft currently available. If they do get the go-ahead, then shoppers will be looking at 70,000 sq ft in total.  That's an additional 20,000 sq ft of bargains. 
 

 Primark have now created a website specifically for the proposed Edinburgh store where you can have your say/vent your spleen on this catalogue of disappointments.
 

On that site Primark say the store won't be open till August.  Erm....that's August 2011!!!!!  Oh and that's not definite of course.  They say they 'hope' it'll be open by then.  Not surprisingly website commenters are angling for some pretty serious discounts when the store finally, finally opens. The word we're all searching for is 'farcical'.

 Update Oct '09:  

A trusted Edinburgh source has revealed that the new store won't be open for Xmas after all (surprise surprise!) apparently because of building delays caused by the tramworks.  It should, however, be open 'fairly quickly within the New Year'.  Erm...watch this space?

Background

   
With 125 stores in the UK and Ireland, two in Glasgow and not a single one in Scotland’s capital, the absence of a Primark in Edinburgh has been the subject of protracted online discussions and petitions such as the one mounted by Bebo-based  ‘Edinburgh Primark Now’.  Meanwhile we’ve all gazed enviously at the hordes on the Glasgow-Edinburgh shuttle with their distinctive Primark bags. 

 
Rumours

We’ve been subjected to years of rumours and counter rumours.  The most enthusiastic of us have continually checked Primark’s own site under ‘Stores Coming Soon’.  Not a peep.  Others have secretely wondered whether Edinburgh is considered just too ‘snooty’ for a Primark!   

We heard last year that after searching for over two years to find a suitable site the clothing giant was planning to lease the former M & S store at 91 Princess Street which has around 100,000 square feet of retail space set over no less than six floors.  First we heard it would be open for Christmas 2008. That date came and went with no relevant activity in Princes Street store. 

We then contacted Primark's Head Office and after being told by one employee that 'Of course there's a Primark in Edinburgh' (we assured him that indeed there is not!)  he checked his list of new store openings and sounded somewhat dismayed to discover that there were no immediate plans to open a store in the capital.  When pushed for an answer to just WHEN there might be an Edinburgh Primark we were given another Head Office extension.  On that line was a very gruff lady who assured us there wouldn't be one for 'at least another two years'.
 
Previous Updates

December 2008

Primark said they WERE opening a store in the former M & S store at 91 Princes Street.  This time they said it'd be open for Xmas 2009.  What's that you say?  You'll believe it when you see it?    

September 2009

The Edinburgh Evening News reported that despite having only fairly recently submitted the final planning application for the store refurbishment,  Primark bosses are 'still hopeful' of having the new store open for Christmas 2009.  Hmm.......   We've emailed Primark Head Office for confirmation but as yet had no response.

Overall, it seems this story's got more twists and turns than formula 1!

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