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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
World
David McLean

A 1960s Edinburgh shopping parade that was once home to Woolies is demolished

An Edinburgh shopping parade that was once home to a popular local Woolies store has entered its final stages of demolition in preparation for a new housing development.

The strip of shops at 181-195 St John's Road in Corstorphine have been a familiar sight for local residents since the 1960s, but will soon be replaced by dozens of one and two-bed flats and a seven new retail outlets with the aim of regenerating the area.

The latest images shared online show that demolition work to the rear of the properties is at an advanced stage, with only the frontages of the 60-year-old shopping precinct still intact.

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The mixed-use development, which is being delivered by MacTaggart & Mickel and designed by Michael Laird Architects, will see 32 apartments built above a new shopping parade with four townhouses constructed to the rear. The developers say the project will enhance the area and bring in an estimated £10-15 million investment boost.

The residential apartments are supported by 36 under-croft car parking spaces which will all have electric charging points installed. An internal courtyard garden space promises to give residents a secluded green-space to enjoy.

Granted planning permission following a prolonged period of consultation involving local residents, the development replaces a previous application to build a Waitrose supermarket on the rundown site, which was refused.

Built in the 1960s, the old shopping parade originally included a large Woolworths store, which vanished in 2008 when the legendary retailer folded.

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While the development is mostly being welcomed by Corstorphine residents, there are many who are lamenting the demolition of the existing shops.

Writing on the EH past to present page on Facebook, Julia Hope said: "I used to work at Crawfords the Bakers here in the late 80s early 90s. Can't believe they've demolished the lot!"

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