City of Edinburgh Council
Shopfronts and shutters in Edinburgh
Edinburgh calls solid roller shutters unacceptable everywhere, and in listed buildings and conservation areas rules out any externally mounted shutter.
- Planning authority
- City of Edinburgh Council
- Planning system
- Scotland
- Main document
- January 2024
- Status
- Council guidance
- Main retail streets
- Princes Street, George Street, Rose Street, Victoria Street
- Our repairs
- Installation work only
Edinburgh sets out its shopfront rules in its Guidance for Businesses, updated in January 2024. Scotland runs its own planning system, so the consents differ from England’s — but the shutter position is as firm as any council’s in the UK.
The guidance has a section of its own for Princes Street signage, and stricter signage rules again for listed buildings, conservation areas and the Royal Mile.
Shutters and security
Solid roller shutters are unacceptable.
Guidance for Businesses, Altering a Shopfront — SecurityWhere shutters are not common in the immediate area they should be housed internally behind the window; elsewhere behind the fascia or a sub-fascia, never in a box projecting from the building.
Guidance for Businesses, Security, step 2Non-solid shutters may be acceptable in perforated, lattice, brick-bond or open-weave patterns, and interlocking clear polycarbonate shutters outside the glass may also be acceptable.
Guidance for Businesses, Security, step 3In listed buildings and conservation areas externally mounted shutters will not be considered acceptable. Toughened glass is the most appropriate measure; internal open-lattice shutters or removable mesh grilles may be acceptable; metal gates suit recessed doors.
Guidance for Businesses, Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
Signs and lighting
On Princes Street, projecting signs and banners will not be supported and illumination must be white and static.
Guidance for Businesses, Princes StreetFor listed buildings, conservation areas and the Royal Mile: signs in timber, etched glass or stainless steel, individual hand-painted letters on the original fascia, and applied fascia panels not normally acceptable.
Guidance for Businesses
Sources
- Guidance for BusinessesJanuary 2024 · Council guidance · read on 9 October 2026
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