Eating out

With restaurants feeling the pinch and suffering from a saturated market some might argue that this is not the best of times to be opening a new outlet.

Figures published earlier this month showed that one restaurant closed every three days last year, but the chilly climate has not deterred an ambitious family business from planning expansion.

Loudons has quickly established itself as one of Edinburgh’s popular places for breakfast – witness the queues every Sunday morning outside its Fountainbridge premises.

From today there will be an alternative place to grab one of its signature dishes, such as its famed Eggs Benny dishes (boasting 14 varieties), healthy power bowls or spiced vegan pancakes. 

The second Loudons opens in the New Waverley development off the Royal Mile – a seven-figure investment for the brand – and the first in a potential growth wave for Loudons.

Chris Loudon, pictured, originally pursued a career in IT and computing science, having a passion for both from a young age.

Inspired to start his own eatery, whilst managing another Edinburgh café and bakery, Peter’s Yard, during his university years, he was keen to keep his options open after the 2008 credit crunch.

He learned from the success of Peter’s Yard and teamed up with Peter and Paulene Humphrey (mother and step-father), to set up Loudons in 2011.

Speaking of the new opening, he said:  “This expansion is an exciting chapter for our business and a bold step. We have invested significantly in developing our dedicated, industrious team, and they are the foundation of our continued success.”

The new Loudons takes its place amid the continuing building work at one of the city’s newest neighbourhoods. It represents another milestone in the transformation of the one-time bus depot between Canongate and Calton Hill.

The £200 million project, a mix of offices, hotels, food and drink establishments and residential apartments, is being led by Artisan Real Estate Investors. The UK government is the principal tenant in the office buildings which will include a hub for almost 3,000 HM Revenue & Customs employees. Queensberry Properties (QPL) has acquired the first residential block.

A 146-apartment Aparthotels Adagio and a Premier Inn were complemented by the re-opening of the Market Street Arches. 

With thousands of workers, residents and tourists due to pour into the area, the new development, which also neighbours the modern city council offices, is expected to add a new dimension to an area that has a long and controversial history of planning objections and delays.