Edinburgh hairdressers to become a cafe after plans for Southside salon approved
Cafe chain set to open its third Edinburgh offering after plans accepted
A hairdressers in Edinburgh is set to become a cafe, after change of use plans were approved by council planners.
Books N’ Cup, which has two cafes already in the Capital, at Home Street and Raeburn Place, as well as a cafe in New York, applied for a change of use application on September 10 for the former Etre Belle hairdresser’s salon at 125 Nicolson Street.
The City of Edinburgh Council’s chief planning officer David Givan said: “The proposals are acceptable as they will not conflict with the objective of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of the conservation area.
“The proposals are in accordance with the Development Plan and there are no material considerations that outweigh this conclusion.”
This application is for the proposed change of use only. Any changes to the signage would require a separate planning permission and advertisement consent.
The change of use approval came with a condition that cooking, heating and reheating of food on the premises shall be restricted to the use of one panini machine, one baked potato oven, one soup urn and one microwave only. No other forms of cooking, heating and reheating shall take place without prior written approval of the planning authority.
The planning documents for this change of use confirm that the applicant has agreed to adhere to this condition.
Speaking to the Evening News, Books N’ Cup founder and owner Hany Metawie explained why he wanted to open his third Edinburgh cafe.
He said: “It will be a good addition to the area, especially for students living there. We are popular already with students at our other Edinburgh cafes.
“We have just kept growing, but this will be our last cafe in Edinburgh, however, we did want to get into this area for the students and tourists there.”
Hany added that he hopes to open at Nicolson Street in December, or January at the latest.
The application received one public comment on the council’s online planning portal, a neutral submission from a local resident, who said: “I don't doubt the proposed establishment will not be particularly offensive. However, I'd like to observe that the last thing the area needs is yet another café.
“We're awash with them, many of which seem to be short-lived and eventually replaced with something else in the same line. Would it not be possible for these premises in Nicolson Street to be occupied by a business of some practical use to permanent local residents, as opposed to students and visitors?”
Books N’ Cup now have three years to carry out the change of use at 125 Nicolson Street.
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