Edinburgh city centre shell unit to be transformed into a new coffee shop after Blank Street plans approved

Blank Street Coffee submitted plans in August for the fit-out of a shell unit to form a new coffee shop, including provision of signage and branding, at 5 India Buildings, Victoria Street, located within the Old Town Conservation Area.

The plans were lodged by Mackinnon & Co on behalf of Blank Street UK Limited, to open a Blank Street Coffee shop, with room for up to 20 customers.

An artist's impression of inside the proposed Blank Street Coffee shop on Victoria Street. | City of Edinburgh Council

Approving the plans on October 10, the City of Edinburgh Council’s chief planning officer David Givan said: “The proposals have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building and its setting and will not adversely impact on its special architectural and historic interest.

“The proposals will preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area. There are no material considerations that outweigh this conclusion.

“The proposed alterations would not harm the listed building or its setting. The fit out of the unit internally would not impact on any historical architectural features.

“The premises has undergone previous alterations and the surviving features of architectural and historic interest would be preserved. The signage is of an acceptable design and is appropriately sited.”

A photo of the site with signage for the proposed new coffee shop on Victoria Street. | City of Edinburgh Council

The ground floor will be levelled and finished with tiles under the plans. With the walls and ceiling to be painted white, and CCTV and speakers to be added. The existing stone walls would be kept and the existing exposed beam concealed.

Customers will enter the new coffee shop and be served and seated on the ground floor. There would be two ice machines and a fridge in the basement along with the existing toilet facilities.

Work on transforming the empty unit into a new coffee shop must begin within three years of October 10, 2024.