Edinburgh
Since I’ve been using a wheelchair, the thought of shopping in the middle of Edinburgh has been quite scary. To be honest, I haven’t yet plucked up the courage to give Princes Street a go. I’m sure the reality won’t be as bad as I think but somehow, that knowledge doesn’t really help.
Sooner or later, you have to leave the comfort of your computer and hit the real world for that one thing you just can’t find online. When that happens to me, I head for one of the “Out of Town” shopping centres.
Out of Town
Fort Kinnaird is the nearest to home. It lies to the East of Edinburgh, just off the A1 at Musselburgh. From the end of the City Bypass, you need to turn Right as though you are heading into the City.
Without knowing too much about the history, I think Fort Kinnaird was formed by joining the old Kinnaird Park and the new Fort shopping centres. Also in the area is a B&Q and several car dealerships.
The design of the place isn’t all that original. There is a huge car park with shops and units round the outside. The old Kinnaird park was extended and the car park redesigned at the same time. I’m sure this redesign has some purpose but when you’re driving round it’s an absolute nightmare to get out again.
The newer “Fort” section is roughly square with shops round two sides. The car park is in the middle.
Disabled spaces are there, mainly around the outside of the car park, nearest the shops. These car parks are always very busy though, so getting a disabled space is very hit and miss.
As you would expect, there is a decent variety of stores. Access to the ground level of most stores is good although one of the ‘sports’ shops is so packed with stock it’s difficult to see anything. A couple of stores have very thick doormats and the pile pulled my chair to one side making it very difficult to cross.
Not so good is that there are several stores with a kind of mezzanine level. Some have lifts but some don’t. It’s all a bit hit or miss.
The overall site is huge, so getting from one end to the other may be a problem. It’s also worth bearing in mind that the park was once split in two, where the two sections join there is a fairly major road to cross. Again, it’s always busy so please take care.
The website mentions that Shopmobility is coming to the park in November. However, I wrote this review in early 2009 and it said November then. It would be helpful if they added the year!
For more details, see the park website: http://www.fortkinnaird.co.uk
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