Princes Street's New Look could be set to become new steakhouse following planning application

A planning application has been submitted to create a new restaurant and expanded hotel on Princes Street.

The site at 121 Princes Street is currently occupied by fashion retailer New Look

The proposals have been submitted by LaSalle Investment Management in response to the formal revision of planning guidance on Princes Street by the City of Edinburgh Council.

Princes Street could become lined with cafes and restaurants as Edinburgh Counci...

A new ‘Bar and Block’ steak dining experience has been proposed on the ground floor of 121 Princes Street, with accompanying investment being proposed to expand the Premier Inn hotel on the site with 59 new rooms.

It will be the first planning application for a new restaurant on Princes Street following the changes to council planning guidance announced last week.

The new guidance allows significantly more flexibility when considering proposals for non-retail use within the city centre.

Last year, it was revealed that New Look would move into the new St James Centre, leaving their Princes Street store.

“We’ve been working hard to repurpose this asset that will ensure that this highly visible frontage can remain vibrant with the first new ground floor restaurant in Princes Street under the new framework.

“Tourism has already demonstrated just how significant a contribution it can make to the renewal of Princes Street with the new Johnnie Walker Visitor Centre and this complementary investment can also play a huge role in turning around Princes Street’s fortunes.”

“We all know that shopping is rapidly changing, and the increased flexibility of planning processes is key to unlocking new opportunities for Princes Street and Edinburgh.

“It can also help ensure that there is a balance between both east and west in the city centre. We will continue to work closely with the council on these proposals.”

Should the planning application be approved by the council, it is anticipated that the new restaurant could open soon after the opening of the Johnnie Walker Visitor Centre at the end of this year.