Fashion retailer Primark has reached a crucial milestone in its plans to create a flagship store on Scotland’s most famous shopping street.

A detailed planning application has now been submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council for a new flagship store on Princes Street.

The plans have been influenced by comments and feedback gathered during an extensive three month public consultation exercise.

The retailer is applying to open a 75,000 sq ft outlet on the site of the former Marks & Spencer building at 91-93 Princes Street – which would provide the company with its 18th store in Scotland, creating hundreds of construction and retail jobs.

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Councillor Tom Buchanan, Convener for Economic Development, said: "With a planning applications having now been submitted for consideration, I look forward to the development progressing to the next stage.

"Like us, Primark recognise the tremendous potential of Princes Street as a shopping destination and I am delighted that, in order to make the very most of this opportunity, they took the time to consult so widely with the public.

“Not only will this development provide a welcome boost to our retail offering but it will also create a great many jobs during these difficult times.

"We are continuing to work closely with Primark to help them realise their ambitions to open a flagship store here in the centre of Scotland's Capital.”

A spokesman for Primark added: “We have been keen to open a flagship store in Edinburgh for some time, so it is very pleasing to see this development taking the next step towards becoming a reality.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the people who responded during the public consultation and made their views about the building known on our website.

“There is a good level of support for the building but we have also taken on board a number of comments and shaped our final proposals according to this feedback.”

(GK)