12 iconic Edinburgh department stores that have come and gone over the years
In the post-war era, Edinburgh boasted a long list of them within a mile’s radius of the Castle, but the vast majority of which are sadly no longer with us.
Many of the big stores had thrived since the Victorian and Edwardian eras, but gradually began to close one by one over the course of the 20th century as shopping trends shifted.
We’ve searched the photo archives to bring you 12 Edinburgh department stores that we loved and lost.
We’ve searched the photo archives to bring you 12 Edinburgh department stores that we loved and lost.
9. Peter Allans South Bridge Edinburgh Sale - Windows
Peter Allans South Bridge Edinburgh Sale - Windows Photo: Unknown
10. Patrick Thomson, North Bridge
Patrick Thomson's department store on North Briidge, 1970s Photo: unknown
11. Grants, North Bridge
People made special trips to the new extension at Grants department store on the North Bridge to use the first escalator in Edinburgh which was installed in July 1959. Photo: Unknown
12. Jenners
It is one of Princes Street’s landmark buildings and is one of the first sights many will see as they arrive into the Capital. Jenners was one of the country’s first department stores, and has always been synonymous with class and style. In 2005, House of Fraser purchased the store, that had been operated by the Douglas-Miller family, who had been in charge since the founders retired. House of Fraser retained the Jenners name, and revamped the store with a £3 million investment, the most notable change being the creation of the basement toy store. The building itself was purchased by Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen in 2017. It closed in December 2020 and was vacated by House of Fraser in May 2021. Photo: Third Party