Work begins on Fort Kinnaird multiplex
October 23 2013
Designed by 3DReid on behalf of centre owners British Land the expansion occupies the site of a former cinema and bowling alley which was cleared back in 2008.
Buildings will be clad in metallic composite panels and Prodema timber effect cladding with new paving and planting incorporated to soften impact.
Fort Kinnaird is already Edinburgh’s largest retail park, sparking fears that it could further undermine the city centre.
43 Comments
#1 Posted by Fiona archibald on 23 Oct 2013 at 16:53 PM
I think this is great! Living in east lothian it will be great to have a cinema nearby and somewhere for my little one to play too. This is what the fort has been missing, especially the restaraunts. I don't know why they got rid of the bowling and cinema in the first place?
#2 Posted by Rob Grundison on 23 Oct 2013 at 22:32 PM
Thats what the residents of East Lothian need, a cinema complex closer than Ocean Terminal and central Edinburgh, sounds like a worthwhile project
#3 Posted by Karen on 23 Oct 2013 at 22:35 PM
This is utterly ridiculous. What about the number of units currently unused at Fort Kinnaird? Convert them! Getting in and out of the Fort is nightmare, the infrastructure won't be able to cope. Milton link/A1 was gridlocked in the opening weekend of the Range Store!!! Why are our councils so short sighted! Very frustrating!!
#4 Posted by j.mccardle on 24 Oct 2013 at 07:21 AM
what are they going to do about the traffic that this complex attracts as the traffic situation at this present moment is absolutely shocking with tail backs sometimes about half a mile long
#5 Posted by Julie foreman on 24 Oct 2013 at 07:36 AM
Cannot wait the only thing that it misses is a primark
#6 Posted by Yvonne Jamieson on 24 Oct 2013 at 07:39 AM
Is primark going to be there?
#7 Posted by Catherine mccolm on 24 Oct 2013 at 07:48 AM
Can't wait will use this all the time can't wait also boost for the unemployed
#8 Posted by Lisa on 24 Oct 2013 at 08:09 AM
This is amazing news, the cinema has been sadly missed! And will be a great add the surrounding area. All they need now is a Pure Gym
#9 Posted by Big Chantelle on 24 Oct 2013 at 08:59 AM
@Yvonne in post #6
We can only hope hun. It would really enhance the already world class retail experience of Fort Kinnaird.
We can only hope hun. It would really enhance the already world class retail experience of Fort Kinnaird.
#10 Posted by Abbb on 24 Oct 2013 at 09:01 AM
Wonder how long this will take them? 5/6 years on from knocking ten pin and the cinema down ridiculous.
#11 Posted by Tracy on 24 Oct 2013 at 09:15 AM
About time they started work up there, i live in east lothian and the cinema has been a miss and the megabowl, will also open up jobs for the unemployed
#12 Posted by Diane Fraser on 24 Oct 2013 at 09:27 AM
Fantastic news!!!
Can't wait!
Can't wait!
#13 Posted by Debbs on 24 Oct 2013 at 09:42 AM
I cannot wait for this it has been left empty to long. Will save a long drive into ocean terminal or edinburgh.
#14 Posted by Lou on 24 Oct 2013 at 09:55 AM
ThIs is just what the fort needs really happy there will be a return of the cinema and a play area :-)
#15 Posted by Eileen on 24 Oct 2013 at 10:46 AM
The traffic tailbacks are bad already but it's a small price to pay. East Lotian need and deserve this. It takes over an hour to travel on the bus to a the cinema and even longer to do bowling. It will open more up more opportunitys for school leavers also,,
Very Chuffed !!!!
Very Chuffed !!!!
#16 Posted by Samantha on 24 Oct 2013 at 12:00 PM
Yeah, thats right, lets scrap this because there will be TWO DAYS of bad traffic haha ... This will be a welcome boost to East Lothian and the surrounding areas! I loved going to UCI when I was wee, and I am sure plenty more children will gain great memories at good auld 'Craig Park'
#17 Posted by john on 24 Oct 2013 at 12:33 PM
Brilliant been missing the pictures n bowling and couple decent restaurants
#18 Posted by Harry on 24 Oct 2013 at 13:46 PM
#3 Karen. Are you for real??? Imagine how stupid to have employment for these construction works and new shop workers. Yes you are VERY short sighted!
#19 Posted by Emma on 24 Oct 2013 at 15:06 PM
Great to see a cinema again but the traffic infrustruture needs a thought! It gets very heavily congested already and will have a domino effect on surrounding routes! Let's try and get the remaining empty units filled up too!
#20 Posted by scott robertson on 24 Oct 2013 at 17:34 PM
the Council is what detracs from the city centre and high parking charges.....
#21 Posted by ashley on 24 Oct 2013 at 21:38 PM
I think fort kinnard is better than city center of town any way... You don't have to worry about your parking running out or getting a ticket.
#22 Posted by kerry harrison on 24 Oct 2013 at 22:20 PM
its about time, its not always easy to get to other cinema's...looking forward to this....
#23 Posted by Dennie on 24 Oct 2013 at 22:57 PM
Think that there should really be a primark to be honest I think youd possibly get more custom because of transport with this development will be even better!!
#24 Posted by Molly on 25 Oct 2013 at 01:49 AM
Calm your beans people. It wont be opening for atleast another 5years. Even then it will be all the local unemployed chavs (probably havn't had a job since megabowl closed) that will work there. Cannot bloody wait.
#25 Posted by Topcat on 25 Oct 2013 at 12:19 PM
Would have been better building a sports complex with a speedway track.
#26 Posted by Sam on 25 Oct 2013 at 13:54 PM
The new complex is expected to be open late 2014/ early 2015. To address concerns that there are still vacant units, many of these are in negotiation and it is hope that the boost in sales with the introduction of the new complex will attract new retailers.
#27 Posted by Sam on 25 Oct 2013 at 14:04 PM
The new complex is expected to be open late 2014/ early 2015. To address concerns that there are still vacant units, many of these are in negotiation and it is hope that the boost in sales with the introduction of the new complex will attract new retailers.
#28 Posted by Barry on 27 Oct 2013 at 14:59 PM
Its about time the council got their fingers out and got the cinema back. As for the negative comments-you don't have to use it when its open. Keep traveling past it and head into town. Problem solved.
Debenhams are going in and loads of great restaurants! Amazing boost for East Lothian, East Edinburgh, Fort Kinnaird , all businesses and for jobs.
Alot of units are empty but this will bring new shops to the park. And I've heard they are restructuring the parking!
Debenhams are going in and loads of great restaurants! Amazing boost for East Lothian, East Edinburgh, Fort Kinnaird , all businesses and for jobs.
Alot of units are empty but this will bring new shops to the park. And I've heard they are restructuring the parking!
#29 Posted by Brian Holden on 29 Oct 2013 at 16:04 PM
#28 Barry. The short sighted Council planners refused the Debenhams application last week. The Cinema and restaurants should be a welcome boost
#30 Posted by Sven on 30 Oct 2013 at 12:59 PM
A lot of suspicious comments here, all on the same day using the same style and similar names (4-18). The biggest problem with Fort Kinnaird is the lack of cover from the weather.
#31 Posted by Tracey on 9 Feb 2014 at 17:04 PM
The addition of a cinema is eagerly anticipated in our house. It takes so long to get from Bonnyrigg to ocean terminal. Very much looking forward to this and I hope the restaurants fort kinnaird attracts are slightly better than the usual Pizza Hut/Frankie and Benny's type. I realise these places usually attract chains rather than Independants which is a shame but at least try to attract a pizza express or handmade burger co/wagamama
#32 Posted by Mark on 7 Mar 2014 at 14:28 PM
Great news! Travelling from East Lothian to all the other cinemas was such a chore that I stopped going.
I don't get why you'd be suspicious about the comments Sven, why would anyone want to have to travel all the way into Edinburgh or Leith when the Fort is much easier to get to?
I don't get why you'd be suspicious about the comments Sven, why would anyone want to have to travel all the way into Edinburgh or Leith when the Fort is much easier to get to?
#33 Posted by Jambo28 on 20 Apr 2014 at 18:11 PM
Really good news, it's a hassle travelling up from Berwickshire and having to go right into town
#34 Posted by Almo on 30 Apr 2014 at 16:31 PM
Taken from the Fort Kinnaird website .....
"Parking will also be boosted with plans to add to the existing 2,500 free spaces, making it even easier to plan a fun day out at the Fort."
"The complex will delight movie buffs with the new seven screen ODEON cinema while the six new restaurants, including Pizza Express, Nando’s, Frankie & Benny’s, Chiquito and TGI Friday’s, provide a vast range of choice for local people to spend fun nights out, family days and chilled-out movie sessions."
"Parking will also be boosted with plans to add to the existing 2,500 free spaces, making it even easier to plan a fun day out at the Fort."
"The complex will delight movie buffs with the new seven screen ODEON cinema while the six new restaurants, including Pizza Express, Nando’s, Frankie & Benny’s, Chiquito and TGI Friday’s, provide a vast range of choice for local people to spend fun nights out, family days and chilled-out movie sessions."
#35 Posted by big al on 7 Oct 2014 at 02:01 AM
soz ladies /gents aint gonna be no bowling alley there
#36 Posted by Eleanor Davidson on 23 Oct 2014 at 22:24 PM
When open new home base ?
#37 Posted by kelly Fleming on 27 Oct 2014 at 22:46 PM
How do I find out about jobs for the New stores opening?
#38 Posted by Angie on 20 Nov 2014 at 22:21 PM
#24 Posted by Molly - What do you mean, just because we live in the area we are not all chav's and most of us have worked since the day we left school, and no not at Megabowl, the likes of you should keep your comments to yourself. There are good and bad everywhere, totally offended!!
#39 Posted by Roz Mills on 29 Nov 2014 at 20:24 PM
Primark is going to be in the old Toys R Us unit, Im diassapointed that Toys R Us have now moved into a much smaller unit and just before xmas
#40 Posted by faith jowett on 17 Dec 2014 at 17:47 PM
When will it be open? Me and my friends have planned a trip jere but dont know if it will be open yet.
#41 Posted by cockneyrebel on 3 Jan 2015 at 10:51 AM
are there more plans to sort the parking? trying to turn corners into parking is a nightmare!
#42 Posted by Angela on 27 Feb 2015 at 19:12 PM
When is the gym gonna open up?
#43 Posted by Clarence Road Defect on 30 Dec 2015 at 23:57 PM
Nightmare traffic, especially at peak weekend lunch times, best avoided - how on earth do staff who work here get to work on time never mind trying to see a film on time!!! traffic problem needs to be solved, I feel sorry for the fire station, heaven help them getting through this traffic.
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