10 Edinburgh city centre haunts we have lost this century - from John Menzies to The Venue
By Kevin Quinn
Published 22nd Oct 2022, 04:45 GMT
While a new tram network and the St James Quarter have been the biggest additions to Edinburgh since 2000, what have we lost?
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.
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. 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. Photo: Lisa Ferguson
A popular restaurant for Edinburgh families for years, Fat Sams was housed in Edinburgh’s former meat market building in Fountainbridge, opening in 1984 before closing its doors in 2000. The building later housed the Establishment nightclub on Semple Street, which closed in 2009 when the area was redeveloped for new offices. The 1884 meat market’s iconic arches are all that remain of Fat Sam's today, albeit situated a little further down the road. Photo: Susan Nisbet
Gig venue and nightlcub Electric Circus closed its doors in 2017 and was later turned into an art gallery in 2019. Popular with gig-goers, the venue, which opened in June 2009, also introduced private karaoke booths for locals to enjoy with their friends.. Photo: Dan Phillips