Former Nicolson Street bingo hall could become café and events venue

A former bingo hall on Nicolson Street could be turned into a café with occasional events, bringing a new hospitality use to a prominent Southside city-centre address.

The proposal covers 50 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9DT, a site on one of the main routes between the Old Town, the University of Edinburgh area, Newington and the Southside. The application seeks permission to change the use of the building from a former bingo hall, classed as assembly and leisure, to a café with occasional events.

The application is currently awaiting assessment by the City of Edinburgh Council.

What is proposed

The change would move the premises from a former Class 11 Assembly and Leisure use to a café with occasional events, described in planning terms as Sui Generis. That means the proposed use does not sit neatly within one of the standard planning use classes.

In practical terms, the proposal points to a shift from a leisure venue into a food, drink and events space. The planning description refers to a café with occasional events, rather than a standard restaurant, bar or public house.

The application summary indicates an internal refit with little visible change outside. That makes the proposed use of the building the main issue, rather than a major redevelopment of the street frontage.

Why this Nicolson Street application matters

Nicolson Street is already one of Edinburgh’s busiest mixed-use streets. It carries heavy footfall from students, residents, commuters, visitors and shoppers, with a long run of shops, food outlets, supermarkets, cafés and bars.

A new café and events use at 50 Nicolson Street would add another hospitality venue to that mix. For nearby residents and businesses, the key questions are likely to be how the space would operate, what sort of events might take place, and how the use would sit alongside existing shops, restaurants and late-opening premises in the area.

The location also matters because it is within the Blacket Conservation Area. Conservation area status does not prevent change, but it means the council must consider the character and appearance of the area when assessing planning proposals.

The proposal is notable because it involves a former leisure venue rather than a vacant shop unit. Former bingo halls and assembly spaces can be large, flexible buildings, and changes of use can affect how a street feels at different times of day and evening.

The site and surrounding area

50 Nicolson Street sits in a dense commercial stretch of the Southside. Nearby occupiers include national convenience and retail brands as well as independent food, drink and service businesses.

The surrounding area includes Sainsbury’s Local, Superdrug, Greggs, KFC, Lidl, Café Nero and a wider mix of shops, restaurants, cafés and bars. That context means the proposed café use would not be unusual for the street, although the occasional events element may draw closer attention from neighbours.

Nicolson Street also sits close to several important city destinations. The area links the Festival Theatre, the University of Edinburgh, South Bridge, Clerk Street and the wider Newington corridor. It is a street used by local residents as well as people moving through the city centre.

A site with previous planning history

The property has previously been the subject of planning interest. In November 2018, planning permission was granted for a change of use from Class 11 Assembly and Leisure to Sui Generis public house, with minor external alterations.

The current application is different in description, seeking a café with occasional events rather than a public house. That distinction may be relevant to how the council assesses the likely operation of the premises.

What the council will consider

For a change of use application like this, the council’s assessment is likely to focus on the suitability of the proposed use in this location and its relationship with neighbouring properties and the wider conservation area.

Issues that commonly matter in proposals of this type include:

• the effect on nearby residents and businesses;
• opening and operating patterns, where these are set out;
• noise, servicing and waste arrangements;
• any changes to the appearance of the building;
• whether the proposed use fits the character of the street and conservation area.

The headline proposal is not for a new building, but for a new use of an existing former bingo hall. That makes the day-to-day operation of the café and events space central to how neighbours may view the plans.

What happens next

The application was registered with the City of Edinburgh Council on 24 April 2026. A site notice was posted on 15 May 2026, with public comments due by 5 June 2026.

Residents, businesses and other interested parties can view the application on the council’s planning portal and submit comments while the consultation period is open. The application reference is 26/01757/FUL.

The application status is currently Awaiting Assessment.