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Scottish locals up in arms over Edinburgh Gin’s new multi-million pound distillery
A local has hit out at Edinburgh Gin after he discovered blueprints for the company’s new distillery will obscure views of the city’s historic landmarks.
Tom Parnell, an architectural historian based in Edinburgh, took to Twitter to point out that the new distillery and visitor centre on East Market Street would block the public’s view of Calton Hill, home to the Collective contemporary art gallery and the unfinished National Monument.
“Fellow Edinburgensians might like to note this view from Jeffrey Street that Edinburgh Gin wish to, well, see for yourselves,” he said in his post. “Note wall increasing from 1.2m to 1.8m”.
A letter to Edinburgh City Council that includes a location plan for the distillery shows that a wall on Jeffrey Street would need to be raised by 40cm, blocking the view to Calton Hill.
Fellow Edinburgensians might like to note this view from Jeffrey Street that Edinburgh Gin wish to, well, see for yourselves… Note wall increasing from 1.2m to 1.8m. You can view proposals in detail and comment here: https://t.co/fbLdmKBa1O pic.twitter.com/Bpliy23H4y
— Tom Parnell (@ArchHist) December 17, 2018
the drinks business has contacted Parnell for more information.
Since the post on Monday, others have replied to voice their concern over losing one of the city’s scenic viewpoints.
Steven Eagleson, headteacher at a local primary school, called the plans “ridiculous” and said he had registered a complaint.
At the time of writing 10 people have objected to the proposals on the council’s website.
the drinks business has reached out to Edinburgh Gin for comment and awaits a response.
The drinks company announced plans for a new multi-million-pound distillery in Edinburgh’s city centre in November, which will include a sensory experience detailing the history of gin-making and offer visitors the chance to make their own gin.
It will replace its current visitor experience in Edinburgh’s West End, where its distillery is also based, with the new premises set to increase the brand’s production capacity by over 200%.
“This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the evolution of Edinburgh Gin,” Neil Mowat, UK marketing director of Ian Macleod Distillers, said at the time. “As the ‘No.1 super premium gin brand in the UK’, Edinburgh Gin is in high demand and this investment is our commitment to continued innovation and growth.