On 3 October 2025, City of Edinburgh Council approved plans for a new Black Sheep Coffee shop at 206 Bruntsfield Place.
This will be the 11th Black Sheep Coffee location in Edinburgh, less than a mile from the closest branch location.
The proposal includes converting the former Royal Bank of Scotland building into a coffee shop, providing indoor seating for around 20 to 25 customers and outdoor pavement seating for eight customers.
The premises will cater for sit-in customers and provide cold food for takeaway.
Black Sheep Coffee is particularly popular among students since it offers a clean space to study, free wi-fi, and welcoming ambience while being located within walking distance.
Not only this, they frequently offer student discounts, making it convenient for students to enjoy drinks on a budget.
Easily accessible locations and consistent quality of beverages are also major factors as to why students prefer it over local cafes in the city.
For the student population in the city, an additional branch provides up another spot for them to unwind and rest at.
However, local residents in Bruntsfield do not share the same enthusiasm.
They have expressed displeasure about the former bank being replaced by the coffee shop chain as it does not replace the same community service.
Bruntsfield has been well known for its small shops and independent coffee houses; residents fear this reputation may be eroded by the arrival of more chains.
Local business owners have conveyed frustration that the arrival of another large coffee chain might draw customers from their businesses and also result in an oversaturation of coffee shops in the area.
Photograph by Matilde Impavido for The Student.