First Lego store in Edinburgh to open at St James centre

The first Lego store in Edinburgh is due to open at the new £1 billion St James shopping development.

It will be the second Lego store in Scotland alongside an outlet in Glasgow’s Buchanan Galleries, and the 17th store to open in the UK.

The Danish-owned toymaker last year announced plans to open 150 Lego stores around the world in 2020, after opening the same amount in 2019.

The company has traditionally sold Lego through third-party retailers, but has grown its worldwide stores to 570.

Work on the Edinburgh St James Centre restarted last week after halting on March 25 following Scotland’s entry into coronavirus lockdown.

Developers have said it is too soon to know whether the planned opening date of October 2020 will be delayed due to the 12 week pause.

Development Director Martin Perry said he would be able to provide an update on timescales later, but that his first priority was ensuring staff safety around the site.

It has also been revealed that The Body Shop will join the growing number of outlets confirmed for the St James centre.

These include & Other Stories, Bershka, Stradivarius, Boots, O2, Three, Superdrug and watch brands Breitling and Omega.

Alongside 85 shops and 30 restaurants, The 17 million square foot centre will house several hotels and an Everyman cinema.