Edinburgh picture framing shop at the top of Leith Walk to become new restaurant despite 11 objections
An Edinburgh picture framing shop, which has been a family business for more than a century, is set to become a new restaurant despite 11 objections from locals.
Caroline Freedman applied for a change of use application on September 9 to turn the picture framing workshop at 8 Antigua Street at the top of Leith Walk into a new restaurant.
There were no external alterations proposed. The kitchen would be to the rear of the shop floor. New signage was proposed and a possible new paint scheme.
The plans for the Renaissance Picture Framer shop have now been accepted by the council’s planning department.
Approving the proposals, the council’s chief planning officer David Givan said: “The proposal represents a small-scale change of use within an established commercial frontage that would continue to contribute towards the vitality of the area.
“It will not result in unacceptable amenity impacts in regard to noise, odour or servicing arrangements that would be of detriment to neighbouring amenity. There are no material considerations which outweigh this conclusion.”
The change of use was approved despite 11 objections from locals, concerned about issues including an excessive concentration of restaurants in the area, the loss of premises suitable for small business use, and noise from the proposed and existing restaurants being detrimental to local residents.
One local resident, Juliet Hardwicke, said: “The Gayfield Square community is concerned about the land jointly owned by the residents of 4-7 South Gayfield Lane (which is to the rear of the restaurant) being used for deliveries and waste and recycling removal to any new restaurant.
“This would create severe disruption to residents of the narrow South Gayfield Lane, which is already congested and suffers from people parking illegally.
“Residents of South Gayfield Lane already experience significant noise and disruption and the frequent blocking of the lane by waste and delivery vehicles supporting restaurant uses at the bottom of the lane. Additional back-of-house activity would take the current disruption to a new and unacceptable level.”
While, Jonathan Ungar added: “The property is located in an area almost entirely given over to restaurants, bars and takeaways. It is one of the few remaining shops that reflect the former diversity of uses that existed here in the past.
“It would be a great shame if it were permitted to become a restaurant just in order to increase the rent for the owner, and I request that the officer looking at the application consider whether the preservation of the diversity of uses is relevant and if so to note that there is local support for this diversity.”
Renaissance Mirrors and Framing has operated as a family business since 1890, selling elaborate mirrors and repairing and framing photos for well over a century.
The approved works to turn the premises into a new restaurant are minimal and confined to the interior of the unit, comprising the addition of partitions to the rear to provide toilets and storage areas necessary for the restaurant use
In the planning documents, the applicant said: "It is a small unit. The change from retail workshop to restaurant should not lead to any adverse impacts. It would be entirely in keeping with the character of the area.
“As it is beneath residential properties, the main issue will be protecting residents from cooking smells and noise from the premises.
“The existing use is historic and has only continued as the current occupier has perpetuated a family business over the past century.
“This is sadly about to end and it is not likely that this would now be seen as a suitable business or retail location. The proposed change of use is the best way forward."
The applicant now has three years to begin works for the change of use at 8 Antigua Street, with a condition added to the approval that the new restaurant can only operate from 10am-11pm, seven days a week.
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