The company has submitted a planning application for 42,535sq ft of new retail and leisure space at Fort Kinnaird in Edinburgh, following the significant investment in an extension to Glasgow Fort last month.
If approved, the plans would create a new area to complement the existing leisure quarter at one of Scotland’s leading retail park destinations, further strengthening Fort Kinnaird as a major regional hub for shopping, dining and entertainment.
Plans include a new 19,750sq ft food store on the ground floor, alongside a 22,785sq ft enhanced leisure offering on the first floor, supporting the continued growth of the destination’s leisure quarter and enhancing the overall visitor experience. Once complete, the new destinations would bring more than 60 new jobs to the local area.
Located alongside Fort Kinnaird’s established leisure and food offering, including ODEON cinema, Wagamama and Nando’s, the plans have been devised with sustainability in mind. When designing the building services, both tenants will include Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) and Photovoltaic (PV) systems. It builds on Fort Kinnaird’s position as one of the UK’s largest retail parks, extending across more than 560,000sq ft of retail and leisure space.
The latest plans follow the refurbishment of the Eastern Terrace last year, which saw more than 20,000sq ft of retail space upgraded and new stores joining the centre, including Lush, Rituals and Clintons. Subject to planning approval, consent is expected in November 2026, with works anticipated to start on site in January 2027 and practical completion targeted for January 2028.
With more than 100,000 sq ft of new developments in Scotland across both Fort Kinnaird and Glasgow Fort announced this year, the planning application reflects British Land’s confidence in the retail park format and the wider Scottish retail landscape.
Ben Grose, Head of Retail Leasing & Logistics at British Land, said: “This proposed development represents a significant investment milestone for us in Scotland and underlines our confidence in retail parks and Fort Kinnaird’s continued growth as one of the country’s leading retail park destinations.
“As customer expectations continue to evolve, we are focused on investing in experience-led destinations that bring together a strong mix of retail, leisure and food and beverage. These plans would broaden Fort Kinnaird’s offering and enhance the experience for visitors from across Edinburgh and beyond.”
