For many Edinburgh locals, Newkirkgate shopping centre in Leith, remains a much-loved part of the community, despite its inevitable decline.
Once a buzzing 1960s 'precinct', one of the finest in the city, the area is now home to charity shops, pawnbrokers and a few chain stores.
But despite its challenges, Newkirkgate, that was completely rebuilt in the 200s, is still surviving, and even thriving according to some locals, with others comparing it to a zombie apocalypse.
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We asked some of the regular shoppers what they thought of the shopping centre now and over the years. Does the Leith community still need somewhere like this, and what does it need to make it better?
Andy, 32, lives in Leith and usually walks through the Kirkgate to get to work, but sometimes he will stop by Lidl, Greggs or Poundland, probably three or four times a week.
He said: “It could definitely look a bit better. It’s often like dawn of the dead when you are walking through here in the mornings to be honest. It does seem like it has a sense of community, I see a lot of people stopping and chatting, although I don’t myself take part in the chatting.”
Fiona, 66, who was born in Leith occasionally shops in the centre, agrees that the centre could look better. She said: “It’s horrible, it could do with cleaning up now. It used to be such a buzzing and nice place, it’s so rundown. But people seem to congregate here, usually the older crowd.”
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Chris and Sheila Stone who regularly come for their food shopping have said it is rundown and could do with some new shops.
“Anything but a chemist,” Chris says. Sheila says: “Some sort of supermarket or grocery shop would be decent, just to have a bit more options – Lidl is cheap but you are always queuing, so something to counteract that where you can just pop in and pop out again would be great.” She also mentions that she would love a McDonalds.
“That would do really well here but then you’d be encouraging the younger crowds to hang out. But a McDonalds or at the very least a café to sit in.”
A Leith staple, Bobby, runs the hot dog and burger stand right next to the Statue of Queen Victoria. Bobby, who has been working in the Kirkgate for over 12 years now. He said: “It’s a lovely place, and everything is ok. There is definitely a sense of community, but no more new shops are needed, it does well.”
Lola and Tracy, who work at beauty salon Amoura on Great Junction Street, stopped quickly to chat. Tracey said: "It needs a massive facelift. I think it’s more out of necessity rather than choosing to come here over anywhere else.
"When you nip out for your lunch there’s not much of a choice, especially if you are in a rush. It’s just the same old choices' They both feel something like a salad bar, a Baguette Express or a healthy option for lunch would be great and is needed."
Beckie, 26, who uses the Kirkgate a few times a week, said: “It’s a very communal place, a lot of people know each other and meet up for lunch or shopping. The only downfall for me is the junkies hanging around. I’ve been coming here since I was a little kid, I would play on the big anchor that used to be here.”
Jackie who has worked in the centre for 19 years has seen it change drastically over the years, and not in a good way. “It’s needing more patrol, there’s too many junkies and shoplifting these days,“ she said.
But she does go onto say the centre is always full of customers, adding: “Oh aye, it’s still busy and the shoppers keep coming but it’s stopped a lot of our old customers coming in, because they are a bit intimidated with everyone about.
“There used to be a scoop-a-market, a shoe shop, green shield stamp shop, a gas shop, even a wallpaper shop. there’s nothing like that now. But despite all that, it is still a place for people to come and meet up, and get your food shopping, it is still essential. “
Despite being tired looking and needing a facelift, it is still busy, and serves the community well. Maybe there will be funding in the future to fix it up and get in a more variety of shops, especially when the tram works finish, with a stop right at the bottom of the walk.
THIS ARTICLE WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN 2022
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