The B&Q at 13 Warriston Road will shut on 3 September as part of parent company Kingfisher plc’s national rationalisation (closure of 60 branches). Large discounts are expected from August onwards.
Meanwhile, Artisan Canonmills Ltd will hold two public consultations later this month (see below) showing plans to develop new flats on the site (Ref. 16/03296/PAN). A second consultation, showing revised and more detailed plans, will follow at a date still to be confirmed.
The fact that a pre-application notification process has been triggered signifies that 50 or more dwellings are proposed. In other words, it's a major development in this sensitive area, which will require careful scrutiny and comment. Community Councils for Leith Central, New Town & Broughton, and Stockbridge & Inverleith have been informed.
We'll file a preliminary report on 29 July.
Public exhibitions will be held at the Capital City Church International, 107 McDonald Road (see Google map link below)
on Friday 29 July, 2pm–7pm
and Saturday 30 July, 10am–2pm.
Got a view? Tell us at spurtle@hotmail.co.uk and @theSpurtle and Facebook
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Well that means going all the way to Craigleith Homebase if you live in the centre of town and need DIY items
Nikki MacLeod That's shit. Half of north Edinburgh uses that shop but I don't suppose anyone thought to ask us.
Shelagh McDougall Such a bad decision - B and Q Canonmills handy, friendly, easy to find your way around and nearly always has what you need. What's the rationale for closing - land for more and more flats and less amenities? I know we need houses but we need them within a mixed environment which includes commercial and amenities.very sad.
Angela Flynn As if there isn't enough new houses in the area!!! ...and the only B&Q left in walking distance for those wee things you need without a run in the car to Newcraighall
John Robinson I find that B&Q really annoying: the majority of the time when I go in looking for anything the answer is "no, you'll have to go to Newcraighall for that". It's just not big enough and I think trying to have kitchen and bathroom showroom areas was a mistake. I think Kingfisher might have tried to do better, but whatever, they have decided to close it, so there we are.
Others have noted that there are already new houses in the area. Well yes but there's plenty of demand for more, and I'd be content to see a good-quality residential development on this "brown field" site, and perhaps others in the Powderhall/Beaverbank area, unlike other recent local proposals (and decisions) to demolish interesting, valuable old buildings or shoe-horn new houses into spaces that really aren't suitable.
Euan Leitch It's an opportunity to support local retailer Corson Hardware... of course, you'll have to learn the rules: https://citythreepointzero.wordpress.com/2012/09/08/corson-the-rules/
Katie McWilliam Soane For years before I saw the rules I assumed it was a gateway to a Harry Potteresque magical location.
@cocteautriplets @theSpurtle for DIY supplies in Leith, try 'Vital Home Essentials', Leith Walk next to @LosCardos. My fav shop name...
Dave H @BCCletts
@tracygriffen @theSpurtle @cocteautriplets @LosCardos There are still surprising number of local hardware stores, which need local awareness
Angela Stillwell @AngelaStillwell
@theSpurtle B&Q closure not good news for those of us without cars. Another useful local shop lost.
NewTownCleanStreets @NTCleanStreets
@cocteautriplets @theSpurtle Homebase is more 'decoration' (cushions etc) than real DIY. B&Q was a bit like that too, TBH. But still, a loss
@cocteautriplets @theSpurtle you could go to Corson Hardware in Stockbridge
@NTCleanStreets @theSpurtle I liked it for nails and varnish. Get most stuff from Screwfix but pack quantities can be huge.
@CalumCashley @theSpurtle yes will now end up getting a bit here and a bit there. Think I'll be making a lot more business for Screwfix.
@cocteautriplets @CalumCashley @theSpurtle There's always the tremendous Porty hardware
Broughton Spurtle @theSpurtle
Will we need an adaptor in Broughton for Porty-style nails, screws etc.? @allytibbitt @cocteautriplets @CalumCashley
Leslie Hills @skylinefilmtv
@theSpurtle @allytibbitt @cocteautriplets @CalumCashley I buy mine from Bute Tools, Rothesay and have never had any compatibility problems
@theSpurtle @skylinefilmtv @cocteautriplets @CalumCashley Should be fine with a galvanised BCW.
andy arthur @cocteautriplets
Monkey Bones @iratesheep
@cocteautriplets @allytibbitt @CalumCashley @theSpurtle Marchmont hardware, Warrender Park Rd,
@iratesheep @cocteautriplets @allytibbitt @theSpurtle but only Corson's has a game associated with it -
@CalumCashley @iratesheep @cocteautriplets @theSpurtle @rjwilliams44 best blog post ever that.
@CalumCashley @theSpurtle @cocteautriplets Tried that once, Corson says 'No'
@CalumCashley @theSpurtle @iratesheep @cocteautriplets @allytibbitt Still being played? I played in the late 60s when I lived in Collins Pl
@theSpurtle A sad day when you feel sad about losing the local chain store.
@theSpurtle And so B&Q goes the way of Woodcraft supplies, Walkers Ironmongery, Lawson's timber, Homebase, B&Q (Easter Rd), Grays...
@iratesheep @cocteautriplets @allytibbitt @CalumCashley @theSpurtle a second vote for marchmont hardware from me...
@DavidSterratt @theSpurtle Concerted effort to stop DIY and make you employ people to do it for you. #ConspiracyTheories
@lattegirl10@theSpurtle@DavidSterratt All due to health and safety. Varnish can be dangerous.
@theSpurtle I'll really miss it, try and find a DIY shop on Edinburgh when you don't drive. Home Hardware I'm Morningside is about it.
Isobel Morton This doesn't surprise me in the least although there does seem a steady stream of customers. On a different tack, does anyone know if Lidl are ever going to open at Logie Green??
@theSpurtle Prediction: Development won’t include enough parking, while taking away the DIY that the neighborhood didn’t have to drive to.
Stewart Livingston Does this mean the build at Earthy is no longer needed? Would rather b and q go than a quaint little cafe in a heritage area
Fraser Cook That's a real shame. It's really handy to have it within walking distance. And a nice walk along the WOL where kingfishers can be spotted on the way to buy a set of rawl plugs.
Neale Gilhooley Will they need to consult with SEPA as it is river side or river adjacent? So it's to be high density development.