10 Edinburgh city centre haunts we have lost this century - from John Menzies to The Venue

While a new tram network and the St James Quarter have been the biggest additions to Edinburgh since 2000, what have we lost?

By Kevin Quinn

Published 22nd Oct 2022, 04:45 BST

Edinburgh has seen lots of changes to the city centre since the turn of the century, with many popular shops, restaurants, nightclubs and pubs gone forever, as the city’s landscape has changed.

Many of these old familiar haunts are much missed by locals in the Capital, evoking happy memories of being out and about having fun with friends and family.

11 Edinburgh department stores that we loved and lost

The iconic John Menzies Princes Street branch that featured famously in the opening scene of Trainspotting, closed its doors at the turn of the century. The unit is currently occupied by Next.

1. John Menzies

The iconic John Menzies Princes Street branch that featured famously in the opening scene of Trainspotting, closed its doors at the turn of the century. The unit is currently occupied by Next. Photo: ALAN LEDGERWOOD

Situated on Calton Road, the Venue really was THE Venue. This place played host to countless famous acts down the years, including the Stone Roses, the Shamen and Deacon Blue. It closed in 2006.

2. The Venue, Calton Road

Situated on Calton Road, the Venue really was THE Venue. This place played host to countless famous acts down the years, including the Stone Roses, the Shamen and Deacon Blue. It closed in 2006. Photo: Bill Henry

This iconic department store closed its doors in November 2018 and is now the home of the Johnnie Walker visitor experience. The corner was a popular meeting spot for locals for years.

3. Frasers, West End, Princes Street

This iconic department store closed its doors in November 2018 and is now the home of the Johnnie Walker visitor experience. The corner was a popular meeting spot for locals for years. Photo: Lisa Ferguson

The original bridge linking the shopping centre to parking at Greenside was built over Leith Street in 1975 and was replaced with the 'bendy bridge' during refurbishment of the centre in 2003. That replacement bridge was taken down in 2017 as part of work on the new St James' Quarter.

4. St James' Centre bridge

The original bridge linking the shopping centre to parking at Greenside was built over Leith Street in 1975 and was replaced with the 'bendy bridge' during refurbishment of the centre in 2003. That replacement bridge was taken down in 2017 as part of work on the new St James' Quarter. Photo: Rob McDougall

Edinburgh St James Quarter