Extension planned at Edinburgh shopping centre to accommodate new Starbucks 'drive-to' unit
Developers insist the proposed expansion will seamlessly integrate into the existing car park with "negligible" impact on local traffic
Plans have been submitted to the council for the extension of an Edinburgh shopping centre to accommodate a new Starbucks ‘drive-to’ unit.
Lady Road Investment SARL submitted an application on August 6 for an extension to the south west corner of Cameron Toll Shopping Centre, at 6 Lady Road, and the creation of a drive-to unit with associated works.
The proposal is for the introduction of a 203sqm Starbucks coffee shop in Unit 34b, with the addition of a serving window on the western elevation of the unit, facing the car park, with a revised road layout included.
The proposed new unit incorporates a sit-in café and takeaway - either via the café element or at the serving window where vehicles can drive to. Unit 34b currently operates non-food retail use.
The addition highlights a growing trend across the retail and hospitality sector, with major coffee chains increasingly pivoting towards drive-thru and drive-to models to meet changing consumer habits post-pandemic.
In the planning documents, the applicant said: “The introduction of a Starbucks at Cameron Toll complies with the relevant transport planning guidance and is well located in relation to existing active travel routes, public transport facilities and the surrounding residential areas.
“It is expected that given the current offer at Cameron Toll and high potential for linked trips, there will be negligible net increase in vehicle trips as a result of the proposed Starbucks.
“Based on available car park capacity, vehicle demand associated with the proposed Starbucks can be accommodated within the existing car park.
“This will not create a new stand-alone development but rather an augmentation of an occupier within a defined commercial centre.
“It is considered that the proposed use is acceptable in this location. The proposals will allow the continued use of retail floorspace at the Centre.”
While Starbucks already operates several drive-thru locations across Edinburgh and the Lothians, this would be the first of its kind at the Cameron Toll site.
The City of Edinburgh Council’s planning department will now decide upon these plans, which have so far received no public comments on the online planning portal.
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