Landmark Edinburgh toy shop to become restaurants – but manager promises business will survive
Toy shop chief promises new city site as restaurant plans approved
A landmark Edinburgh toy shop that has been a familiar fixture in the city centre for more than four decades is set to disappear from the street to make way for two new restaurants.
But the manager of Wonderland Models on Lothian Road has reassured loyal customers that while this is the end of an era for the iconic store, it does not mean the end of the business with the firm actively searching for new premises.
The approved change of use allows the business the option to transform the store into two separate restaurants with new signage, replacing the classic red-and-yellow storefront.
Wonderland director and manager Iain Reid said: “At present it is business as usual for us in our current location in Lothian Road and will be for the foreseeable future while we explore several options now that the council have granted planning consent for the restaurants.
”For over 50 years, our bespoke range of paints to modelling kits have captured the minds of families. Not a day goes by when we do not see parents bringing their children in for the first time, just as their mums and dads did with them.
”Lothian Road has changed beyond recognition since we started here back in the 1980s with many retail shops closing to be replaced by food and beverage outlets and the number of office workers in the area similarly declining since the Covid pandemic. This has resulted in a substantial decline in foot traffic.
“Wonderland Models remains utterly committed to our customers. We’re a unique shop in the Edinburgh retail landscape, and we are enormously grateful to our customers who have given us their business, love, and loyalty for over half a century.
“Once we have any further updates I will be happy to share these.”
If Wonderland decides to go ahead with the change of use within the three years the approval allows, then the interior, currently outfitted with shop rooms, would be refitted to include kitchens, dining rooms, food preparation areas, and restrooms.
When the plans were lodged with the council last summer, Iain said: “It is critical to note to our loyal customers this is an exploratory move. It’s business as usual for us and will remain that way for the foreseeable future. If a change does come, you can rest assured we will still be a fixture in the capital.”
Wonderland Models was founded in 1972 by clothing retailer Peter Barton, who saw a gap in Edinburgh’s retail landscape for a specialist model shop. The business has endured all of the ups and downs of the British high street, developing into one of the largest online model retailers in the UK.
Peter first opened a shop on Rose Street, before adding the shop at Lothian Road in 1977. The Rose Street store was closed in the mid-80s, and the Lothian Road shop added the second unit in 2010 to cope with demand.
In 1982, after a successful 10 years, Peter passed on Wonderland Models to his stepson Iain Reid, who remains in charge after four decades.
The store’s range has grown and diversified over time to cater to every hobby and interest and now ships models from their Edinburgh home to thousands of loyal customers in the UK and beyond.
Approving the change of use plans for the 1864-built building at 97-103 Lothian Road, the council’s chief planning officer David Givan said: “The proposal is acceptable as it will not harm the listed building, or its setting and it will preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area.
“The proposals will have due regard for the global climate and nature crisis, are acceptable in principle and will not result in an unacceptable impact to neighbouring amenity. There are no material considerations that would outweigh this conclusion.”
The plans received 10 objections on the council’s online planning portal, including from Tollcross Community Council, for reasons including the over-provision of similar uses within area, the loss of a retail unit, and the negative impact on residential amenity.