Edinburgh Black Sheep Coffee chain served with enforcement notice after work doesn't match plans

Edinburgh Council has served a fast-growing coffee chain with an enforcement notice after work on its Princes Street store deviated from approved plans.

Black Sheep Coffee was ordered to remove signs and flags installed on the city centre shop front after a member of the public complained to the authority.

An investigation confirmed breaches had occurred and the council said the unauthorised designs created a “cluttered appearance” which had a “negative impact”.

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

After visiting the café a planning officer found various signs and two black flags fitted on the storefront that did not match designs approved by the council in 2022.

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

“Some of the new shopfront elements were installed above the cornice contrary to the guidance and therefore they are not acceptable under listed building considerations.

“It is recommended that enforcement action is taken to remove unauthorised elements of the scheme, specifically, two black flags above the cornice, round black signboard with ‘Black Sheep Coffee’ logo above the cornice, rectangular signage between entry door and shop window, signage consisting of individual letters installed above entry door, black signage with white lettering and logo on stair raisers, and round signboard with logo on stand attached to the stair’s handrail.”

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

It said failure to comply “can result in prosecution and/or remedial action by the council”.

Black Sheep Coffee was contacted for comment.