New Arrivals

A selection of new arrivals to Edinburgh during 2020 is set out below. 

January

• Huawei (Shenzhen, China): telecommunications and consumer electronics giant Huawei leased a 929 square metre (10,000 square feet) office at 2 Semple Street in Edinburgh's Exchange District.

• Equals (London, England): travel money and international payments solutions provider Equals opened a new office in Edinburgh.

"Edinburgh is the UK’s second-largest financial services centre, making it a fantastic opportunity for the Equals Group, and we’re excited to have a presence in the city."

– James Hickman, Chief Commercial Officer, Equals

February

• AND Digital (London, England): digital solutions consultancy AND Digital opened a new office at 9-10 St Andrew Square in Edinburgh's City Centre, creating 100 new jobs over 18 months. The office will help companies achieve their technological aims by providing immediate access to tech talent and partnering with them to co-create products.

• Cynergy Bank (London, England): Cynergy Bank launched a new branch in Edinburgh focusing on property finance.

March

• Merrion Vaults (Dublin, Ireland): safe deposit box provider Merrion Vaults opened a new secure storage facility, Edinburgh Safe Deposit, in Edinburgh's West End, creating 15 jobs. 

• Udrafter (Aberdeen, Scotland): Udrafter, which provides a platform for businesses to recruit students for "micro-internships", opened a new office in Edinburgh City Centre.

April

• AAC Technologies (Shenzhen, China): AAC Technologies, a supplier of audio components for smartphones, announced the opening of a new research and development centre in the Exchange Tower in Edinburgh's Exchange District, creating 12+ jobs in its first year and up to 30 jobs by 2023. The R&D centre will develop MEMS microphone chips for next-generation mobile phones.

"As a globally focused and internationally diverse company, AAC is committed to developing system-level solutions across the world, wherever talent and expertise can be leveraged. The opening of Edinburgh strengthens our ability to continue developing innovative MEMS microphone solutions in an evolving mobile marketplace."

– David Plekenpol, Chief Strategy Officer, AAC Technologies

• Substantive Research (London, England): Substantive Research, a supplier of data analytics solutions to the asset management sector, opened a new office in Edinburgh.

May

• The Resident (London, England): luxury hotel brand The Resident announced plans for a new 166-bedroom hotel on Drumsheugh Gardens in Edinburgh's West End.

• Cheval Collection (London, England): serviced apartment provider Cheval Collection announced that it will begin operating two properties in Edinburgh City Centre - The Edinburgh Grand and Old Town Chambers - from July 2020

"We are delighted to announce this new agreement as part of our long-term expansion plans. The Chris Stewart Group with some of the most historically rich buildings in Scotland’s capital was our first choice for Edinburgh when we opened discussions in 2019. These will be our first properties outside London and a huge step in our ever-evolving journey and ambition to become the pre-eminent leader in luxury serviced apartment accommodation worldwide for any length of stay."

– George Westwell, Chief Executive Officer, Cheval Collection

• C&C Group (Dublin, Ireland): drinks manufacturer the C&C Group is to open a 4,645 square metre (50,000 square foot) Tennent’s lager warehouse and distribution centre in Newbridge, West Edinburgh in October 2020.

June

• Hachette (Paris, France): publisher Hachette announced it will open an office in Edinburgh within the next 12 months.

• Rovco (Bristol, England): remotely opeated vehicles (ROV) and hydrographic services company Rovco established an office in Edinburgh to support its portfolio of offshore energy projects.

"This Edinburgh office represents an important and significant milestone for our company. It accommodates our growing team and enables us to develop and attract additional talent, leveraging the strong academic resource from the local universities. Additionally, we will bring our significant offshore experience to Scotland, helping maintain existing and near operational wind farms, whilst supporting ScotWind seabed leasing rounds."

– Simon Miller, General Manager, Rovco

• Rasa (San Francisco, California, United States): conversational artificial intelligence firm Rasa announced the opening of a technology hub in Edinburgh focusing on research and product development.

• Lego (Billund, Denmark): toy retailer Lego will open a store in the St. James Quarter in Edinburgh City Centre.

July

• Real Foods Group (Cape Town, South Africa): the Real Foods Group announced plans to open a branch of its healthy fast-casual restaurant brand KAUAI in Edinburgh during summer 2020 via a master territory franchise agreement.

• Celestia Technologies Group (Noordwijk, Netherlands): international technology group CTG is establishing a laboratory and assembly facility at Edinburgh's Heriot-Watt University Research Park specialising in satellite antenna for aircraft, creating 18 new jobs.

"We moved to GRID at Heriot-Watt University in January 2020, having chosen Scotland because of its burgeoning space sector, which is characterised by a high level of skill, R&D and investment. To fuel our growth, we're able to build a team from a wealth of talent on the doorstep at Heriot-Watt and other universities, as well as from professionals within the Scottish space industry who value the location, facilities and beautiful environment of the Research Park."

– José Alonso, Chair, Celestia Technologies Group

• Trustpilot (Copenhagen, Denmark): consumer reviews platform provider Trustpilot announced plans for a new research and development hub in Edinburgh, creating 30 new jobs. The hub will help address online fraud and abuse by creating technological solutions for identifying fake and paid-for reviews that mislead online shoppers.

"With the assistance of Scottish Enterprise, our new global R&D Hub will become the epientre for accelerating our already leading efforts to tackle abuse and fraud related to consumer information, particularly consumer reviews. It's especially important as reviews have replaced company marketing as the most trusted source of information for consumers. We're investing in even better fake detection to stimulate meaningful change. The technology scene in Edinburgh is thriving, with exceptional talent and an enviable network that will help us to meet our ambitions. We're delighted to bring our global efforts to Scotland."

– Peter Holten Mühlmann, Chief Executive Officer, Trustpilot

August

• The Watches of Switzerland Group (Braunstone, England): watch retailer Watches of Switzerland announced plans to open Breitling, Goldsmiths, and Omega boutiques in Edinburgh.

• Aperçu (Glasgow, Scotland): houseplant retailer Aperçu opened a branch on Haymarket Terrace in Edinburgh City Centre.

September

• Pegasus Group (Birmingham, England): multidisciplinary consultancy the Pegasus Group has established a new office in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh.

"Pegasus Group is currently working on a major mixed-use residential led scheme in the region, and to have a regional office close by will be a real asset to our work. We have a growing client base in Scotland and firmly believe that the opening of a regional office here will enable us to service the growing demand for our specialist planning, design, environmental and economics services across the country."

– Tony Bateman, Managing Director, Pegasus Group

• SUSHI SAMBA (London, England): Brazilian, Japanese, and Peruvian restaurant chain SUSHI SAMBA is establishing a rooftop restaurant at the new W Hotel in Edinburgh City Centre's St. James Quarter. The restaurant will feature a bar and outdoor terraces.

"Edinburgh and its international appeal make it a natural fit for SUSHI SAMBA’s third UK location as we continue to expand our brand globally. We look forward to unveiling our cutting-edge plans and are honoured to join the growing list of pedigree brands that make up St. James Quarter's iconic estate."

– Omar Gutierrez, Chief Operating Officer, SUSHI SAMBA

• Co-op (Manchester, England): the Co-Op is opening a new food shop at the Raeburn Place development in Edinburgh's Stockbridge neighbourhood this November, creating 15 jobs. The new shop will be 100% powered by renewable energy.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to make such a significant investment in Stockbridge - our new store will have a great look and feel, and we are looking forward to serving people living and working in the area."

– Graeme Cranston, Area Manager, Co-op

• Company Shop Group (Tankersley, England): the Company Shop Group opened a new supermarket in Dumbryden, Edinburgh, creating 80 jobs. The Company Shop Group runs membership-based stores where members can buy surplus products from household brands at discounts of up to 50%. 

"We are delighted to be opening our second Scottish store in Edinburgh. Edinburgh is an area with a thriving food manufacturing industry and hard-working families who will benefit hugely from accessing discounted products in our stores which might otherwise have gone go to waste."

– Jane Marren, Managing Director, Company Shop Group

October

• Peloton (London, England): home fitness company Peloton will open a new showroom in Edinburgh's St. James Quarter in 2021.

"St. James Quarter stood out as a key location for us, as we continue to expand our retail footprint, and we look forward to introducing more people to the Peloton brand."

– Martyn Clark, International Director of Real Estate Development, Peloton

• fastP.A.Y.E (London, England): fintech company fastP.A.Y.E opened an office in Edinburgh, creating 19 new jobs. The company develops artificial intelligence tools for employers.

"We've had a fantastic experience with the excellent technology skill base that is available in Scotland and are very keen to grow our office here."

– Ian Hogg, Chief Executive Officer, fastP.A.Y.E.

• Copenhagen Offshore Partners (Copenhagen, Denmark): offshore wind project specialist Copenhagen Offshore Partners has opened a new "Floating Wind Competence Centre" in Edinburgh. The Centre will work to accelerate the deployment and integration of floating offshore wind power.

"With Scotland's strong oil & gas and marine heritage, history of innovation and leading status and potential in floating offshore wind, Edinburgh is the ideal place for COP to launch the growth of our floating wind ambitions."

–Richard Copeland, Technical Development Director, Copenhagen Offshore Partners

• Dobbies Garden Centres (Lasswade, Scotland): Dobbies Garden Centre announced that it would open its first ever in-town branch in the Stockbridge neighbourhood of Edinburgh in November. Dubbed "Little Dobbies", the Raeburn Place branch will feature houseplants, gardening products, gifts, and a coffee shop.

• TRIBE3 (Manchester, England): boutique fitness studio operator TRIB3 announced the opening of a studio in the Stockbridge neighbourhood of Edinburgh.

"Edinburgh is a really spectacular place and we are very honoured to be opening our first store in the city in the Stockbridge area – a place with huge sporting heritage which is undergoing transformative development. We are very proud to bring TRIB3 to Scotland; to be able to keep growing our global family with the people of Edinburgh in an area with intrinsic foundations in sports and community is very special for us. We expect to open many more locations in Scotland's cities and hubs in the coming years."

– Kevin Yates, Chief Executive Officer, TRIBE3

• Kurt Geiger (London, England): footwear fashion firm Kurt Geiger will open shops for its Carvela and Kurt Geiger brands in Edinburgh's new St. James Quarter in Edinburgh City Centre in spring 2021.

November

• Longchamp (Paris, France): luxury leather goods retailer Longchamp will open a shop in Edinburgh in early-2021.

• Oltco (Newquay, England): resin solutions supplier and installer Oltco launched a franchise in Edinburgh.

• Carbon Futures (Glasgow, Scotland): energy and sustainability consultancy Carbon Futures is to open an office in Edinburgh in 2021 after winning several contracts, including the development of 400 homes at Western Villages in Granton Waterfront.

• PushON (Manchester, England): eCommerce agency PushON opened an office in the Leith neighbourhood of Edinburgh.

"We see Scotland as a great opportunity for eCommerce and marketing growth."

– Simon Wharton, Business Strategy Director, PushON

• Taco Bell (Irvine, California, United States): Mexican-inspired fast food chain Taco Bell is to open a restaurant on Shandwick Place in Edinburgh's West End.

December

• Alpkit  (Newthorpe, England): outdoor equipment and bicycle retailer Alpkit will will open a shop on Causewayside in Edinburgh's Southside in early-2021, creating 12 new jobs.

• Sovereign Grooming (Aberdeen, Scotland): award-winning barber Sovereign Grooming will open a salon at New Waverley in Edinburgh City Centre in January 2021.