On behalf of Carluccio’s Savills, jointly with Kelion Sworn, has acquired new retail premises in The Mint Building, South St Andrew Square in Edinburgh from Chris Stewart Group. Due to open in February 2018, this marks the first site in Scotland’s capital city for the Italian restaurant chain.

Carluccio’s will occupy the ground floor and basement totalling 4,439 sq ft (412 per sq m) on a new 25-year lease.

Estelle Forrester, director in the retail team at Savills Scotland, comments: “It was important we found the right premises for the first Carluccio’s restaurant in Edinburgh and as a result the process has taken time. With the significant regeneration underway at St Andrew Square and a number of national leisure operators already confirmed for the area we are confident that this site will serve our client well – benefiting from strong footfall and close proximity to the main shopping streets and business locations, the train station and York Place tram stop.”

According to Savills ‘Casual Dining in the UK 2016’ report, gradual change in food culture, particularly since the recession, means consumers are eating out more and this is creating new opportunities for further casual dining growth across the country. The research shows the five formats expected to be most successful over the next five years include premium fast food, all day and flexible formats, street food and pop ups, premium casual dining and third party delivery services.

Chris Stewart Group was advised by Cushman and Wakefield. Carluccio’s is actively looking for more sites in Edinburgh and Savills is solely retained on all future acquisitions in Scotland.