Matalan to open flagship Edinburgh Straiton store on 14 August whilst Nando’s readies to build new restaurant for year’s end launch.

Nando’s hope to open a restaurant neighbouring the current Frankie & Bennies eatery in a, yet to be built, restaurant unit in January 2015 in a move which promises to be highly anticipated.

The clothes retailer, Matalan, have announced they will open on August 14 beside Next in a newly refurbished unit. Matalan has signed a fifteen year lease for the 20,000 sq.ft retail unit and have recently closed the application process for jobs within the new store. The new flagship will sell a variety of products from Menswear to Home. Kevin Keigher, Asset/Development Manager for Peel Retail Parks said:

This is great news for the people of Straiton and together with the recent addition of Nike represents another strong addition to the Retail Park. Peel are fully committed to Straiton and we will continue to deliver our extensive program of development and refurbishment of the retail centre. Matalan offer an excellent range of clothing and homeware and will add to the already vibrant mix of retailers we have on site, but furthermore will continue in the growing trend of strong national fashion retailers demonstrating their commitment and belief in the location. Straiton Retail Park has undergone some extensive improvements which has enabled the addition these fantastic new tenants, we are sure they will be popular with our valued customers.

With the current spate of construction work having ended in May, work will likely commence on the Nando’s restaurant in Autumn.

Nando’s and Matalan join Nike, who opened in February, and Sofaworks who opened in early June, in a “Gateway Unit” at the entrance to the park.

Future developments at the park include a ‘fashion terrace’ across from Homebase and a department store on recently cleared land beside the former Next store on the lower tier. Construction of both of these is unannounced however it will likely coincide with the construction of Nando’s later this year, as planning permission prepares to expire.

The new developments, provided by Peel Holdings, will create the largest Peel owned shopping centre away from England. The Peel Centre Straiton will also be the most diverse of their retail parks offering home and fashion along with entertainment and restaurants. It will be the first retail park to also feature Nando’s and as such, a creative design will likely be prominent inside. Peel commented on the continued development:

Owners Peel are continuing to improve and invest in the development in order to meet customer demand and reposition the scheme as a modern shopping park encompassing all elements of the retail mix including, particularly fashion, together with food & drink, household goods, and leisure offerings to customers.

However the much anticipated cinema is still unannounced and it is unknown whether the park’s owner will alter department store plans to include a cinema to capture the demand in the region.

What do you think of these announcements? Will the new openings attract you to the retail park or are you still waiting for something else? Tell us below or on our Facebook page.