Edinburgh cafe chain Black Sheep given notice after building work fails to meet plans

Edinburgh Council has issued a notice to a fast-growing coffee shop chain after work on its Princes Street store deviated from approved plans.

Black Sheep Coffee has been ordered to remove signs and flags installed on the front of its city centre store after a member of the public complained to the authority.

An investigation confirmed that violations had occurred and the council said the unauthorised projects created a “disorderly appearance” that had a “negative impact”.

The former Café Nero, at 95-96 Princes Street, is one of seven Black Sheep Coffee branches that have sprung up in the city centre in recent years, with another located on the famous thoroughfare and others in the St James Quarter, North Bridge and the new Haymarket development.

After visiting the cafe, a planning officer found several signs and two black flags installed on the facade that did not match the plans approved by the council in 2022.

A report said: “Although the new facade complies with the guidelines regarding the colour scheme, the introduction of numerous elements of various shapes and sizes into the scheme produces a cluttered appearance that detracts from the historic detail, distorts the proportions and detracts from the architectural character of the building.

“Some of the new elements on the store front were installed above the cornice, contrary to the guidelines and therefore not acceptable under listed building considerations.

“It is recommended that enforcement action be taken to remove unauthorised elements of the scheme, specifically, two black flags above the cornice, a round black sign with the ‘Black Sheep Coffee’ logo above the cornice, rectangular signage between the entrance door and the storefront, signage consisting of individual letters installed above the entrance door, black signage with white letters and logo on the stair treads and a round sign with logo on the bracket attached to the stair railing.”

A letter of enforcement gave Black Sheep Coffee until September 10 to comply with the notice.

He said failure to comply “may result in prosecution and/or corrective action by the board.”

Black Sheep Coffee has been contacted for comment.