Cubitts expands to Scotland with two Edinburgh stores

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Nov 9, 2022

Fashion eyewear maker Cubitts has unveiled two new stores in the heart of Edinburgh – the brand’s first stores outside England. And to celebrate its entry into Scotland, Cubitts has also launched four new frames (two for each store) “inspired by the city’s rich history, design and culture”.

Becoming its 14th and 15th UK stores Cubitts New Town and Cubitts Old Town, will also see the retailer cementing its association with the city, partnering with a number of local Edinburgh-based independent businesses and organisations including local tailor Walker and Slater.

The stores will bring the brand’s “considered offering of spectacle-making, eye examinations, repairs and services to the city’s residents and visitors”, it said.

“Intricately designed in keeping with its past and surroundings”, Cubitts Old Town is situated on one of the most historic and photographed streets in Britain (West Bow), while Cubitts New Town sits opposite the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, on York Place.

The interiors at New Town “elevate its historic architectural features”, referencing the Great Hall library at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Old Town takes inspiration from celebrated architect Peter Womersly, known for designing one of the finest houses of British Modernism. 

Both sites also house the brand’s full collection of frames and its bespoke design service, while New Town will also become a base for the brand’s specialised OCT eye examinations. 

Meanwhile, new frames ‘Elder’ and ‘Anderson’ will be available at New Town featuring “bold, round silhouettes and sculptural details”, while ‘Cowgate’ and ‘Bow’ will be available at New Town, featuring “classic 60s and aviator shapes”. 

Cubitts founder Tom Broughton explained the reason behind opening two Edinburgh stores: “We've been trying to acquire the beautiful curving site at 88-92 West Bow for over six years. But when that moment came, we realised it was difficult to offer all our services within its diminutive shape — such as eye examinations, bespoke consultations and repairs. So we began looking for a second site, and found 1 York Place — which offered enough space to bring our approach to spectacle making, eye examinations, repairs and services to Scotland for the first time.

“And now we have the best of both worlds — services in the New Town, spectacles in the Old Town — in two distinct but equally remarkable buildings, each with a rich history.”

In addition to the openings, Cubitts will also be working with jewellery and silversmith students at the Edinburgh College of Art on a live design brief. The winning designs will be displayed alongside the store’s bespoke collection of frames.