Fort Kinnaird
{{short description|Retail park in south-east Edinburgh, Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2014}}
{{Infobox shopping mall
| name = Fort Kinnaird
| image = Fortkinnairdlogo.jpg
| caption =
| location = Edinburgh, Scotland
| opening_date = 1989
| floor_area = 560,000 sq ft
| developer =
| manager = British Land
| owner = British Land and M&G Real Estate
| number_of_stores = 70+
| number_of_anchors = 5 (Marks & Spencer, Primark, TK Maxx, HomeSense & Next)
| parking = 2,609 spaces
| website = {{url|fortkinnaird.com}}
}}
Fort Kinnaird is a large outdoor retail park in Newcraighall, located off the A1 in the south-east of Edinburgh, Scotland. Often known simply as "the Fort" to locals, it is currently{{when|date=April 2024}} the second largest retail park in the UK with 75 units occupied.
History
Built on the site of the former Newcraighall Colliery, the retail park opened in 1989 as Craig Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news-2-15012/nostalgia-holding-the-fort-1-2234862|title=Nostalgia: Holding the Fort|website=Scotsman.com|access-date=7 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807100112/https://www.scotsman.com/news-2-15012/nostalgia-holding-the-fort-1-2234862|archive-date=7 August 2019|url-status=live}} Edinburgh's very first multiplex cinema was opened at the park in 1990 by UCI Cinemas.{{Cite web|url=https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/our-region/edinburgh/5-edinburgh-cinemas-which-are-no-more-1-4296597|title=5 Edinburgh cinemas which are no more|website=Edinburghnews.scotsman.com|access-date=7 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807100117/https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/our-region/edinburgh/5-edinburgh-cinemas-which-are-no-more-1-4296597|archive-date=7 August 2019|url-status=live}} Its name was later changed to Kinnaird Park.
Over the years, it has expanded into land surrounding the original footprint of the original Kinnaird Park, including the site of the former Niddrie Brickworks, which closed down in 1991. The site was branded separately as Edinburgh Fort. Eventually both sites were renamed under its current name in the late 1990s.[http://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/portal/getEdmDoc?docid=576737627] {{dead link|date=August 2019}}
In 2008, the cinema, which was now operated by Odeon Cinemas, along with Megabowl, the adjacent bowling alley, was closed down and demolished.
In late-2013 work started on a £24m extension to the park. It included 7 restaurants, a children's play area and a seven-screen cinema, which was built on the same site as the original cinema that had been demolished 5 years earlier. The cinema is once again operated by Odeon.{{Cite web|url=https://www.urbanrealm.com/news/4454/Work_begins_on_Fort_Kinnaird_multiplex.html|title=Work begins on Fort Kinnaird multiplex : October 2013 : News : Architecture in profile the building environment in Scotland|website=Urbanrealm.com|access-date=7 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807100114/https://www.urbanrealm.com/news/4454/Work_begins_on_Fort_Kinnaird_multiplex.html|archive-date=7 August 2019|url-status=live}} The development was completed in March 2015.
In 2018, M&G Real Estate purchased the Crown Estate's 50% stake in the retail park for £167.25 million, forming a joint venture with The Hercules Unit Trust, the existing owners of the other 50%.{{cite news | url=https://www.insider.co.uk/news/fort-kinnaird-mg-real-estate-12659861 | title=Fund manager buys stake in Edinburgh's Fort Kinnaird retail park | last=Masterson | first=Victoria | date=7 June 2018 | work=Insider | access-date=2018-06-21 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621170816/https://www.insider.co.uk/news/fort-kinnaird-mg-real-estate-12659861 | archive-date=21 June 2018 | url-status=live }}
Stores
File:What's_Next...^_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1168426.jpg
The retail park has many high street brands such as Marks & Spencer, River Island, Primark, Next, Fatface, H&M, Mountain Warehouse and New Look.
Stores range from large to smaller units. Other stores include Boots, WHSmith,Waterstones, Smyths, Oak Furniture Land, HomeSense, TK Maxx, Argos, Specsavers and Tapi Carpets.
The retail park also has many food outlets, including Bread Meats Bread, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Pizza Express, Tony Macaroni, Subway, Costa Coffee, Starbucks, Frankie & Benny's, KFC, Burger King and Nando's.
References
{{reflist}}
{{Shopping centres in Scotland}}
{{Commercial buildings in Edinburgh}}
{{coord|55|56|6.30|N|3|6|12.46|W|type:landmark|display=title}}
Category:Shopping centres in Edinburgh
Category:Shopping centres in Scotland