New Co-op to open in in Stockbridge Raeburn Place development

The £740,000 new store will create 15 jobs.
Artist's impression of Raeburn Place Development, with Co-op logo.Artist's impression of Raeburn Place Development, with Co-op logo.
Artist's impression of Raeburn Place Development, with Co-op logo.

A new Co-op store is set to open in Stockbridge’s Raeburn Place Development this winter.

The £740,000 new store on Comely Bank Road will take three lots, replacing anchor store Marks and Spencer which pulled out in July.

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It is estimated to create around 15 jobs and is due to open towards the end of November.

The Co-op will sit alongside other ground floor retail units on Comely Bank Road, with plans for a clubhouse and function suite for the Edinburgh Academical Football Club (Accies) to occupy part of the floor above.

The development is led by the Raeburn Place Foundation, a charity set up in 2014 whose aims include widening participation in sport and celebrating the heritage of Raeburn Place, the site of the first ever international rugby football game between Scotland and England in 1871.

The foundation has a 99-year lease on the development ground owned by former Edinburgh Academy pupils.

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It has pledged to use revenue from the retail units to invest in community sport, including maintaining the sports ground at Raeburn Place and supporting sporting clubs such as Edinburgh BATs community youth rugby programme.

A Museum of International Rugby will also be housed in the development, celebrating and preserving the unique history of the site and the game.

The project was originally scheduled to be completed by October 2019, but completion was delayed before the Covid-19 pandemic, and then further set back by the lockdown.

The Co-op will feature a bakery, a Costa coffee stand and hot food, and will be run completely on renewable energy.

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Graeme Cranston, Co-op Area Manager, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to make such a significant investment in Stockbridge - our new store will have a great look and feel, and we are looking forward to serving people living and working in the area.

“Co-op is committed to connecting communities and making a difference locally, and our aim is to operate at the heart of local life. That’s why we also want customers to know that they can become a Member of their Co-op, and that they can make a difference to local causes every time they swipe their Membership card when buying own branded products.

Ron McNab, Acting Chairman of the Raeburn Place Foundation which owns the Accies development said: “We are delighted to welcome the Co-op to Raeburn Place.

"It has a strong ethical and community focus which fits well with our charitable objectives and our intent to include a diverse offering of businesses in the development.”

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“Rental income from the high-quality retail space in the Foundation’s development will provide the annual income necessary to ensure the Foundation's financial sustainability and enable us to meet our charitable objectives, which include the advancement of public participation in sport and the advancement of heritage.

"In practical terms, this includes actively supporting sports organisations, including Edinburgh BATs, a community youth rugby programme, other charitable initiatives and the Museum of International Rugby, as well as maintaining the facilities and sports ground at Raeburn Place”.

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