Food, films and fashion boosts footfall at Fort Kinnaird

Footfall at Edinburgh shopping centre Fort Kinnaird has jumped by more than 12% in the past 12 months, it has been revealed.

 

In what has been a year of major expansion and the creation of a strong leisure experience, Fort Kinnaird has attracted thousands of new customers to the site just off the A1 to the east of the capital.

 

The arrival of a range of leading restaurants, top fashion brands and the first major cinema to serve Edinburgh East and East Lothian in many years, has all combined to draw the crowds for more than the shopping.

 

In addition, the decision to extend opening hours in response to customer demand has proven a hit, offering flexibility for shoppers whatever their working hours or lifestyle.

 

Favourite eateries Chiquito, Ed’s Easy Diner, Five Guys, Frankie & Benny’s, Nando’s, Pizza Express and TGI Fridays had all joined the restaurant strip at Fort Kinnaird by Spring 2015.

 

The Odeon Cinema, which opened in March, has drawn record crowds for the year’s major blockbusters including James Bond’s Spectre and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

 

The extensive retail offering at Fort Kinnaird was also boosted, with the arrival of brands including Fat Face and Simply Be, while the hotly awaited new Primark threw open its doors in December.

 

Fort Kinnaird’s shops began opening up at the earlier time of 9am on Mondays to Saturdays, providing ideal shopping times for school-runners and early birds, while the extension to 10pm on weekdays has proven popular with the after work crowd.

 

The success of these developments has also been a boon to the local economy, with on-site employment service the Recruitment & Skills Centre (RSC) reporting the placing of almost 1800 jobs in 2015.

 

Liam Smith, Centre Manager at Fort Kinnaird, said: “This has been an incredible, busy, exciting past 12 months here at Fort Kinnaird, with the arrival of fantastic popular restaurants, more leading fashion brands and our very own cinema.

 

“We’ve also worked hard to listen to customer’s needs and, in response, extended our opening hours to provide more convenience and flexibility.

 

“The rise in footfall tells us we have got it right – by increasing the offering and making Fort Kinnaird more than just a shopping centre, but a great leisure experience where anyone can enjoy a day or evening out.

 

“We’re also thrilled that this success has created jobs and is really helping the local economy. We now look forward to continuing to welcome new customers in 2016.”

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1 Comment

  1. A great success story for the area,just a pity that it is a part of the Crown Estate(as far as I understand it ) and as such the revenue generated does not fully benefit the people of Scotland as it goes to the UK Treasury

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