A once-thriving shopping centre in a major city now stands eerily quiet, despite its prime location above the areas main train station.
The Waverley Market shopping mall in Edinburgh is now surprisingly deserted, raising questions about its future, reports Edinburgh Live while out on a visit to the site.
Retailers within the centre have noticed a significant downturn in business, with many units left empty and footfall dwindling. The "Food Market" on the lower ground floor is still popular, offering a variety of choices, but other areas are not faring as well.
Post Office staff expressed concerns, saying: "There needs to be more clothes shops, there is just nothing here. Kingdom of Sweets have moved in next to Flying Tiger but it is just dead down that end. Superdry shut down a long time ago now and then Body Shop recently. unless you go for a Greggs or Starbucks, nothing is down there."
The Whisky Shop is optimistic about a new food and beverage company set to open opposite a Greggs, although details of the new occupant remain under wraps. While customers are scarce, those who do visit speak fondly of the mall but agree that action is needed to attract more shoppers and fill the vacant spaces. They believe the centre must draw in big retail names to regain its former buzz.
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Customer, Janice came through from Dundee for shopping (No credit)Local resident Brian, from Eskbank, says he doesn't use the centre to shop. He explained: "I honestly don't come here to shop, I get the train through for work and use the centre to cut through quicker than going up onto Princes Street. Only time I see it busy is at Christmas time."
Another shopper Janice, travelling from Dundee, highlights the impact of store closures: "Since they got rid of Frasers, Debenhams and the rest of the department stores etc there is nothing along Princes Street so It is either here or St James Quarter although I haven't been in there yet since it was done up. We went down to Ocean Terminal one time, we went all the way out there and was really disappointed with it."
Suggesting what could improve the centre, she said: "Waverley Market could be doing with more clothes shops - not designer shops necessarily. Something for older ladies like Bonne Marche would be ideal for me."
The once popular mall has quite a history behind it. Originally opening its doors as Waverley Market back in 1984, it even saw an official inauguration by Queen Elizabeth II not long after in the summer of 1985. It is also rumoured to be the place where Her Majesty first used an escalator.
A timeline reveals multiple regenerations over the years, including refurbishment in the 90s which led to a rebranding as the Waverley Shopping Centre morphed into "Princes Mall" in the early 2000s.
The other side of the Waverley Market remains just as quiet (No credit)Another rebranding took place in 2016 to Waverley Mall, before finally reverting to its original name, Waverley Market, in 2021.
City centre regular Veronica, from Edinburgh, shared her routine, saying: "I only come in for the Post office and the In Post Locker, I sell a lot of clothes online so when I have my lunch break I can come here and do it all at once. Apart from maybe grabbing a coffee the centre doesn't really entice me here for shopping."
It's been noted that tourists are often seen hitting the shops more than the locals, as observed by several retailers. Border native Allan chimed in with his reasons for visiting: "I come in because it is convenient, it's right next to the station so not far to go. The wife used to like clothes shopping and stopping by the Body Shop but there is not much on offer like that now. It is handy if we need a gift for someone's birthday etc, we can go to the touristy shops, the Whisky shop or the stalls offer such lovely gifts too."
East Lothian's Louise weighed in on the comparison between Waverley Market and the new St James Quarter: "If I come into town and I am pushed for time, it is always St James - hands down. The one thing I will say about Waverley Market is that is so much more relaxed - I'd rather bring my mother who is elderly here, she won't feel as rushed or stressed. I'd say it would also suit someone with sensory issues - this place isn't as overwhelming for them, it isn't too noisy or busy."
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